Theatre Fairfield, the producing organization of the Theatre Program at Fairfield University, is pleased to announce its next play for the 2004-05 season: Tim Robbins' "Dead Man Walking." This workshop production of the moving true story based on the Academy Award-winning film will run from Thursday, Feb. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. at the Wien Experimental Theatre in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Two afternoon performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27.

"Dead Man Walking" is being presented this season in conjunction with the visit of Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., who wrote the book of the same name and will speak on campus on Wednesday, April 6, as part of the Open VISIONS Forum series. The play revolves around a convicted murderer on Death Row and the nun who befriends him. While addressing the controversial issue of the death penalty, this moving piece diligently shows both sides of the story and how, in the end, a caring nun must deal with her compassion and understanding for a death row inmate, as well as cope with his outrageous deeds.

Robbins has said he wrote the play, a staged version of the film starring Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon, to help bring attention to capital punishment and promote public discussion of the issue. Through his Dead Man Walking Theatre Project, Robbins invited the nation's 80 Jesuit schools and universities to perform a draft version of the adaptation.

As part of the agreement, the participating schools promised not to produce the play for commercial gain and pledged to involve another academic discipline in a study project on capital punishment. At Fairfield, The Ignatian Residential College, a program for sophomores, plans a number of activities around the theme, including a screening of the film and a faculty seminar on the death penalty. Rose Rodrigues, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, taught a course on the death penalty during the fall semester.

Theatre Fairfield's guest director, Doug Moser, is direction the production. He is joined by lighting designer Lynne Chase and student costume designer Laura Small. Nick Smaligo and Carla Wiegers will portray the roles of convict Matt Poncelet and Prejean, leading the rest of the eight-person ensemble through this moving production.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $5 for students and senior citizens and $6 for staff. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, contact Lynne Porter, producer, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 3406, or Dana Ambrosini, Fairfield University's assistant director of media relations, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2726.

Posted On: 01-31-2005 10:01 AM

Volume: 37 Number: 150