Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Meg Saricks, Downer’s Grove Ill., senior, playing Keely, is handcuffed to a bed after being kidnapped in the play “Keely and Du.”
After four days of dress rehearsals and a semester of planning, the University Theatre will perform “Keely and Du,” a play addressing abortion from both sides of the issue.
The play will open at 7:30 tonight at the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall, which is located north of Allen Fieldhouse.
“We’ve been working on set design for five or six years now.” Dennis Christilles, associate professor of theatre and film, joked.
He admitted that it had actually been only for the duration of the semester that he had been working on costume and lighting and that students had done most of the work.
“I did the least work and proud of it,” Christilles said.
The production is directed by Katrina Bondari, Lenox, Ga., doctoral student in theatre studies. Bondari said the play focused on the gray areas of abortion.
“Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, abortion is a hot topic in our society,” Bondari said. “While ‘Keely and Du’ focuses on the abortion issue, the play celebrates life and the willingness of people to fight for life.”
In the play, two members of a radical Christian anti-abortion group kidnap a pregnant girl, who is carrying the child of her rapist and seeking out an abortion clinic.
Bondari said the play was unique because it was able to graphically depict the issue without being slanted.
“It’s about the struggle of life and fighting for life,” Bondari said. “Either way just remember the individual in the situation.”
Madison Spencer, Leawood graduate student in scenography, helped with set design and costumes. She said the group worked well together.
pullquote
It’s been a really fun group working collaboratively. Everyone is very open to hearing suggestions.
-Madison Spencer, Leawood graduate student
“It’s been a really fun group working collaboratively,” Spencer said. “Everyone is very open to hearing suggestions.”
The play was written by Jane Martin and first performed in 1993. Martin developed a bond between the rape victim and her kidnappers that keeps the play humanistic rather than political.
Friends of the Theatre is sponsoring a “Tuesday Talkback” with the director, designers and cast immediately following the April 10 performance.
General admission tickets for “Keely and Du” are on sale in the KU ticket offices. Tickets are $10 for students, $11 for senior citizens, KU faculty and staff, and $12 for the public.
This production deals with adult subject matter, includes strong language and portrays graphic violence. It is not suitable for children.
Kansan staff writer Bethany Bunch can be contacted at bbunch@kansan.com.
— Edited by James Pinick
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