Posted on May 30, 2003

The cast of Caucasian Chalk Circle, opening Tuesday in Yulman Theater

Union Theater and the Performing Arts Department present Bertolt
Brecht's play, Caucasian Chalk Circle, the love story of a peasant girl
and a soldier told against a backdrop of political insurrection and the quest
for justice.

The play runs through Sunday, June 1, at Yulman Theater.

Guest director, Brad Beckman, in keeping with Brechtian tradition that
challenges audiences to recognize the nature of social constructs and
hypocrisies, will draw important parallels to today's global conflicts.
“Brecht's theatrical world is certainly politically and ideologically driven,”
said Beckman. He believes it is the director's charge to take a classic work
such as this and convey its timeless universal truths to contemporary
audiences.

The cast includes Phil Chorba, Aneesah Dambreville, Allison Drake, Fred
Kountz, Grant Lanterman, Jackie Mason, Jhulian Newell-Little, Chris Preston,
Ben Schwartz, Colleen Sentance, Dana Smullyan, Michael Woodrow, Jane Yoon, and
Kyrie York.

This production also promises to be fun, incorporating original live
music, puppetry, and film in a contemporary version of a legendary tale in
which a governor is beheaded, a child is stolen, a narrow escape is made across
a rickety bridge, a young woman marries a dying man, and a scoundrel becomes a judge.

Caucasian Chalk Circle is Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m.

For tickets and information, call the box office at (518) 388-6545.