Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 02/15/01
      Contact:                           Angey Saucier   126

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
SOUTHEASTERN THEATRE PRESENTS SHEPARD'S "BURIED CHILD"
     HAMMOND   Sam Shepard's "Buried Child" is the first production of the spring by
Southeastern Louisiana University's theatre department.
     The play, directed by theatre faculty member Kay M. Files, will be presented March 6-10
at 7:30 p.m. in the Vonnie Borden Theatre in D Vickers Hall on Southeastern's Hammond
campus.   
     "Buried Child," described as very epic, powerful and funny, first appeared in 1978 and
was the first off-Broadway play to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1979. The Southeastern production
marks the first time the production is being performed in the area. 
     "Shepard is considered one of the finest playwrights today as he is very hip in the play
writing circle," said Files. "I feel this is Shepard's best play, very mythic in its approach and
realistic in style. In fact, the music of 'Buried Child' is by Bob Dylan. Many people will walk
away saying this is one of the coolest things they've seen at Southeastern."
     "Buried Child," darkly atmospheric and mythic in scope, depicts a Midwestern family
living in a run-down farm with dark, long-buried secrets of suppressed violence and unhappiness. 
Enter Vince, the long-lost grandson, who is determined to get to the root of the evil, and
eventually becomes the family's one hope for redemption.
     "The play doesn't tell the audience everything, it's up to them to connect it," said Files. 
"It's like you just suddenly walked in to the middle of this family drama and you have to figure
out what their relationships are and where it all came from."
     Shepard's American classic will be performed by an all-student cast including
communications students Erin DePaula of Ponchatoula, Katherine Duvic of New Orleans, Joey
Mack of Baton Rouge, Ryan Perea of Franklinton, Clarence Wethern of Mandeville, Jacob
                             (MORE)
Southeastern Theatre Presents Shepard's "Buried Child"   page 2
Zeringue of Bogalusa and English student Shane Stewart of Greensburg.  The set, described by
Files as "symbolic and powerful," is the first to be designed by Greg Wilkes of New Orleans.
     Tickets for "Buried Child "go on sale Thursday, March 1 and will be available at the
threatre box office between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day and on evenings of the performance. 
Tickets may also be reserved in advance by calling the box office between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
504-549-2115.
     Ticket prices are $5 general admission, $3 students and senior citizens, Southeastern
students free with a valid ID.  All seats are reserved.

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