June 27, 2003

Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

KU Summer Theatre presents William Inge's 'Picnic' in July, September

LAWRENCE -- The 50th anniversary production of William Inge's drama "Picnic" will be staged by the University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Film and the University Theatre as part of Kansas Summer Theatre '03. Performances of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play will be at 7:30 p.m. July 11, 12, 18 and 19 in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre. The production will be held over to kick off the University Theatre's 2003-04 season with performances at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 and 6 and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 7.

First giving the play the title "Front Porch," the Kansas-born Inge began to write "Picnic" in 1947. He put it aside to write "Come Back, Little Sheba" and returned to it, finishing the play in the summer of 1952. Joshua Logan, a titan of the Broadway theatre, read the completed script and immediately took an option to produce and direct the play. Because Logan wanted one ending and Inge another, the playwright wrote his ending to the play and called it "Summer Brave." "Picnic" opened in New York in February 1953 and was an immediate hit. By that spring, it had won every major theatrical award and ran on Broadway for 61 weeks.

The KU summer production is being directed by Jack B. Wright, professor of theatre and film. Scenic and lighting designer is Delbert Unruh, professor of theatre and film. Costumes are being designed by Beth Collins, Sanderstead, England, graduate student in scenography. Choreographer for the production is Hannah Ballou, a May KU graduate from Topeka. Music for the show will be played by Eddie Higgins and his Happiness Boys.

For the July 19 performance, the University Theatre will host members of the Lawrence Mother-to-Mother program as part of a project funded by a Lawrence Arts Commission grant. During the performance, the St. Lawrence Catholic Student Center will provide space and babysitters for the Mothers and Partner Mothers.

Reserved seat tickets for "Picnic" are on sale at the University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; SUA, (785) 864-7469; and online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for KU and other college and high school students, $11 for senior citizens and $6 for children age 5 through 12.

Members of the cast for the Kansas Summer Theatre production include (listed by name, KU class, parents' names, and high school alma mater):

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Don M. Schawang, theatre teacher at Bishop Seabury Academy, son of Joe and Cheryl Schawang, Olathe, KU Ph.D. 2001; Howard Bevans.
Jill Taylor, para-educator at Southwest Junior High; Irma Kronkite.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe
Robin Murphy, theatre teacher at Olathe Northwest High School; Flo Owens.

From Overland Park
Sarah Elizabeth Homan, senior, daughter of Stephen and Karen Homan; Shawnee Mission South High School graduate; Christine Shoenwalder.
Darren Maloney, senior, son of Timothy and Terrie Maloney; Lee's Summit North High School graduate; Hal Carter.
Samara Naeymi, junior, daughter of Brad and Dorothy Naeymi; Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate; Madge Owens.

From Shawnee
Laura Leffler-McCabe, graduate student, daughter of Marshall and Linda Leffler; DeSoto High School graduate; Helen Potts.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
From Wamego
Brandon DeLany, sophomore, son of Dianne DeLany; Wabaunsee High School graduate; Bomber.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Andrew York, junior, son of Ben and Deborah York; Wichita High School East graduate; Alan Seymour.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Hannah Ballou, May 2003 graduate, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Ballou; Topeka High School graduate; Millie Owens.
Allison Gabbard, senior, daughter of Dr. Glen Gabbard and Rebecca O'Malley; Topeka West High School graduate; Rosemary Sydney.