WVU Parkersburg Theatre production

WVU Parkersburg Theatre Department to present "Death and the Maiden" Oct. 28-30.

CONTACT: R. Carson Soelberg, instructor of theatre, 304-424-8295.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Theatre Department will present "Death and the Maiden" Friday-Sunday (Oct. 28-30).

Curtain time is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Oct. 28-29) and 2 p.m., Sunday (Oct. 30) in the college theater.

Based on the history of the Pinochet dictatorship, Ariel Dorfman's play is set in an unnamed country that is, like the author's native Chile, emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship. The drama explores the after-effects of repression on hearts and souls.

The production is under the direction of R. Carson Soelberg, theatre instructor. Cast members include Dallas Zickefoose as Paulina Salas; Allen Withrow as Gerardo Escobar and Kaleb Gregory Smith as Roberto Miranda.

Paulina's husband Gerardo is to head an investigation into past human rights abuses. A Dr. Miranda stops at Escobars' to congratulate Gerardo. Paulina overhears them speaking and is convinced that Miranda supervised her prison torture sessions. She ties him to a chair and conducts her own interrogation, gun in hand. Escobar doesn't know whether to believe his distraught wife or his persuasive new friend.

Soelberg describes the production as a "white-knuckle thriller" and "a riveting intellectual and emotional tug of war." It received the London Time Out Award for Best Play of 1991, the Sir Laurence Olivier Award for Best Play of the London Season, 1992, and it was awarded five Dora Awards in 1996.

General seating admission is $5 for the general public and $ 2 for WVU Parkersburg students. The play address adult themes and contains very harsh language.

Additional ticket information is available by contacting the college's Business Office.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)