University Theatre to explore identity issues

“Tell me about yourself,” invites the intriguing stranger. Do you say that you like to sail? That you have five grandchildren? Do you talk about where you work? The fact that you were born in Quebec?

The way you frame your answer presents clues to the way you define yourself, and this season the University Theatre will take an unofficial, highly eclectic look at issues of identity.

Beginning with “Spring Awakening,” University Theatre investigates how anguished youths come to terms with themselves. The 1891 play introduced the world to the amoral, instinctual “Lulu” character, later made famous by silent screen star Louise Brooks. “Awakening,” written by German actor and dramatist Frank Wedekind, prefigures the German expressionist movement of the 1910s and ’20s.

“The play was sensational and shocking when it was first produced in the 19th century, and it still challenges 21st century audiences with its mix of irony, melancholy and scathing social commentary,” says University Theatre director Dennis Dorn.

“Spring Awakening” opens Oct. 27 and runs Oct. 28, Nov. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-19 in Vilas Hall’s Hemsley Theatre.

Also included in the 2000-01 season’s program will be:

• “Raisin in the Sun,” directed by artist-in-residence Clifton Turner Davis. The play, by former UW student Lorraine Hansberry, explores racial and family issues as experienced by African Americans. The University Theatre production will be in the Wisconsin Union Theater stage Nov. 10-12.
• “She Stoops to Conquer” by 18th-century physician-turned-playwright Oliver Goldsmith. This classic comedy of mistaken identity, opens the second half of the season in Mitchell Theatre, Vilas Hall, running Feb. 16, 17, 22-24 and March 1-3. Robert Spencer of American Players Theatre will direct.
• “Eugenia” by contemporary Australian playwright Lorae Parry. This play investigates the identity of gender as the female Eugenia lives as a man and marries a woman. When the wife is murdered, Eugenia is accused, but what is she really on trial for? The show runs March 2, 3, 6-8 and 21-24 in Hemsley Theatre.
• “An Evening of Beckett.” This sampling of work by the Irish absurdist runs April 6, 7, 10-14 and 18-22 in Hemsley Theatre.
• “Merrily We Roll Along,” Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s first collaboration, “Once in a Lifetime.” Wrapping up the season, this co-production with University Opera will be the play’s Madison debut. Performed in Vilas Hall’s Mitchell Theatre April 20, 21, 26-28 and May 2-5.

In addition, a preseason “prologue” reprises “Private Eyes,” which University Theatre first produced as part of the summer 2000 season. Contemporary playwright Steven Dietz leaves the audience guessing as to the exact nature of the action they see on stage; the real mystery becomes which reality is true. “Private Eyes” runs Sept. 15, 16 and 21-23 in Mitchell Theatre.

Another Dietz play, “Still Life with Iris,” will be presented as part of the Theatre for Young Audiences Oct. 13, 14, 22 and 29 in Mitchell Theatre. “Still Life” follows Iris’ efforts to find her past, assisted by an 11-year-old Wolfgang Mozart.