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Office of Public Affairs

(315) 312-2265

Feb. 11, 2004

CONTACT: Kelly Cullinan, 312-3097

ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY, MUSIC SPICE UP BRADBURY STORIES

    OSWEGO -- Ray Bradbury's mythical, eerie and supernatural stories will come to life with a fresh take in Waterman Theatre when the SUNY Oswego theatre department presents "The Traveler" and "The April Witch" beginning Feb. 27.

    Adapted for the stage by director Mark Cole, the production follows the character of Cecy Elliott as she comes of age and searches for her identity within her not-so-normal family.

    Cheryl Wilkins-Mitchell, an adjunct professor of dance at SUNY Oswego and director of the Onondaga Institute of Dance, developed original choreography for the show. The production also features music composed for the stage by Julie Pretzat, chair of the music department.

    "'The April Witch' represents a wonderful collaboration between the director and myself to bring the story to life on stage," Wilkins-Mitchell said. "Theatre dance represents such an exciting challenge to choreograph for triple-threat performers: those who can act, sing and dance, blending their talents into a seamless story line."

    In choreographing the show, Wilkins-Mitchell said she took artistic license by blending modern concert dance with such American social dances as the Virginia reel, Cotton-Eyed Joe and country line dancing, as well and ballroom dances like the waltz.

    Both Bradbury stories feature the Elliott family, particularly the teen-aged Cecy who possesses the ability to travel psychically into other living things as she sleeps. While "The Traveler" is a more serious, scary tale of insanity and revenge, "The April Witch" changes gears and lets the audience see Cecy attempt to experience what human love is like, said Cole, professor and chair of theatre at SUNY Oswego.

    Being a member of a special family, she is forbidden to ever love a human being. When she inhabits the body of a young woman who is breaking up with her boyfriend on the night of a town dance, Cecy steers the relationship in another direction, as she falls in love with Tom.

    A preview performance of "The Traveler" and "The April Witch" will be staged at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, with all seats priced at $5. The show will continue with 8 p.m. performances Feb. 27 and 28 and March 5 and 6 and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee March 7.

    Tickets for the main run cost $10, $9 for seniors and students, $7 for SUNY Oswego students.

    For information or reservations, call the Tyler Hall box office at 312-2141 or e-mail tylerbxo@oswego.edu.

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Cast members for 'The Traveler and The April Witch'

Cast members for 'The Traveler and The April Witch'

CAST OF CHARACTERS -- The cast of the SUNY Oswego theatre production "The Traveler" and "The April Witch," adapted from two of Ray Bradbury's science-fiction short stories, rehearses. Among those performing are, in front from left, Alissa LeMay (who plays Cecy Elliott in "The Traveler") and Heather Berg (who portrays Cecy in "The April Witch"). Behind them are, from left, Erin Naughton (Ann Leary), Zachary Levin (Uncle Jonn), Michael Climek (Tom), Samantha Mason (Cecy's mother) and Matthew Boudreau (Cecy's father). The production will have five performances between Feb. 27 and March 7. For information or reservations, call the Tyler Hall box office at 312-2141.

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