Three diverse dramas - a Russian classic, a prize-winning look at one of today's most divisive issues and an original work from Brigham Young University's prestigious PDA program - open on Wasatch Front stages this week, along with the Maud May Babcock Reading Arts Society's readers' theater presentation of Tom Kempinski's "Duet for One."
- KEELY AND DU, which was selected as the Outstanding New Play of 1993-94 by the American Theatre Critics' Association following its premiere at the Actors' Theatre of Louisville (where it was directed by former Utahn and ATL artistic director Jon Jory), will have its regional premiere in Salt Lake Acting Company's Downstairs Theatre.Discounted preview performances are Nov. 8-9; the regular run continues Nov. 10-Dec. 4.
Directed by Sandra Shotwell, the cast of SLAC's production includes Marilyn Holt as Du and Annie Kleczkowski as Keely - two women swept into the center of a provocative and dramatic situation.
"Du" is a nurse whose family and colleagues are part of an impassioned right-to-life group. "Keely" is a young woman, raped and impregnated by her abusive ex-husband, who is kidnapped before she can have an abortion and taken into hiding.
Nearly as controversial as the play itself, which presents a fairly even-handed view of the pro-life vs. pro-choice debate, is the elusive playwright: Jane Martin.
While Martin has some impressive credits, including "Talking With" and "Vital Signs," no one has ever actually seen her, nor are there any photographs available . . . and she allegedly has not shown up to claim her Outstanding New Play award.
There's a consistent rumor that "Jane Martin" is really a pseudonym for Jon Jory - something the former University of Utah theater student firmly denies.
Others in Shotwell's cast include Tony Larimer as Walter, one of Du's outspoken colleagues; Doug Caputo as Cole, Keely's ex-husband; Irene Santiago as a prison guard, and Becky Olson as an orderly.
Following the previews on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 8-9, at 7:30 p.m., "Keely and Du" will continue on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 4. Admission is $8 for previews and $9.50 for remaining performances, with general admission seating. There are no student or senior citizen discounts for Downstairs Theatre productions. To purchase tickets in advance, contact the ArtTix box offices at the Capitol Theatre (355-2787) or in selected Albertsons stores. Tickets may also be available at the door prior to performance.
- THREE SISTERS, one of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's most popular plays, will be staged Nov. 10-13 and 17-20 in the University of Utah's Babcock Theatre.
Directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer, a graduate of the Yale School of Drama's directing program and formerly head of the directing program at Fordham College at Lincoln Center, "Three Sisters" is about three remarkable siblings who are trapped in empty lives and who yearn to be happy.
The cast includes Maria Ramirez, Theresa Raunikar and Koranda Banks as Olga, Masha and Irina - the three sisters - with Kris Nelson as Andrei, their brother; Libby Mitchell as Natasha, his fiance (and later his wife); Charlton James as Kulygin, Masha's husband, a high school teacher; LeoGeter as battery commander Vershinin; Jason McCullough as Ferapont, a janitor; and Kiva Jump as Anfisa, a nurse.
Also in the cast, as various military personnel, are Justin Campbell as 1st Lieut. Baron Tuzenbach, Ben Rolly as Capt. Solyony, Mark Anthony Taylor as army Dr. Chebutykin and Randy Rayes and Dylan McCullough as Fedotik and Rohde, both second lieutenants.
Guest scenery designer is Narelle Sissons, who has extensive designing credits in North America and Europe including Havel's "The Increased Difficulty of Concentration," Mrozek's "The Party" and "Aladdin" and more than a dozen short films at the Royal College of Art in England.
The Babcock Theatre is the performance stage of the University of Utah's theater department. It is located on the lower level of the Pioneer Memorial Theatre building.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, both 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 10-13 and 17-20. General admission seating is $6 on Thursdays, Sundays and for the Saturday matinee and $7 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Students are admitted for half-price. For tickets, contact the Pioneer Theatre Company box office at 581-6961.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, there will be a panel discussion and open forum at 4:15 p.m. following the matinee performance. The discussion is free of charge.
- PRODIGALS, an original drama by Brigham Young University student playwright Adam Boulter, will have its world premiere on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the Margetts Theatre of BYU's Harris Fine Arts Center.
During the 1993-94 season, another original BYU play ("Prisoner" by James Bell) went on to receive national acclaim as one of three Utah productions selected as showcase finalists in the prestigious Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival competition.
Obviously, new plays at BYU shouldn't be taken lightly.
"Prodigals" explores an oppressive, futuristic "big brother" society.
Directed by Ivan Crosland of the BYU theater faculty, the play is a product of the theater and film department's esteemed Producer/Director/Actor Workshop.
Preview performances will be Nov. 9-10, followed by regular performances on Tuesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Nov. 26, with one matinee at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21. For reservations, call the fine arts ticket office at 378-4322.
- DUET FOR ONE, Tom Kempinski's two-character drama, was first done in England and later staged on Broadway with Anne Bancroft and Max Von Sydow in the roles of an ailing concert violinist and her psychiatrist. It was then filmed in 1986 with Von Sydow and Julie Andrews in the main roles and Alan Bates as the violinist's husband (who is only talked about in the stage version).
Members of the Maud May Babcock Reading Arts Society and other interested guests will see William Sargent and Marcia Dan-ger-field performing a readers' theater version of the play on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane (in Reservoir Park, just below University Avenue between South Temple and 100 South).
It's free of charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Dues for membership in the society are $12 per year.