The Denison University Theatre season opens with a production of Len Jenkin's contemporary drama "American Notes." The production opens at 8 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 3) and continues with performances on Friday (Oct. 4) and Tuesday through Saturday (Oct. 8-12) in Ace Morgan Theatre. Assistant Professor of Theatre Rob Gander directs this production.

"American Notes" is a kaleidoscopic view of small-town America made up of a series of concurrent actions involving a young night clerk, Pauline; a rambling mayor, a raucous carnival baker touting his giant crocodile, Bonecrusher; a pair of seedy bar flies who break into song; a dim-witted handyman, Chuckles; a deranged scientist; Karen, waiting in a hotel room for a lover who may never return; and a drifter, Faber, who becomes the catalyst that fuses all these elements into a cohesive funny whole. The play serves as an encapsulation of the American myth and provides a telling comment on what is right and wrong with this myth.

"I grew up in a small town and I find the themes and characters to be very powerful," says Gander. "Others who live in small towns may find it equally resonant." Designing the production are associate professors Peter Pauz?, scenery and lighting, and Cynthia Turnbull, costumes.

Appearing in the production are senior Allison Glenney (Vernon, Conn.) as Karen; juniors Dominic Dodrill (Jackson) as Chuckles, Scott Towler (Chesterfield, Mo.) as Faber, Dan Burleson (Watertown, Wis.) as a Reporter, and Jon Olmstead (New York, N.Y.) as Tim; sophomores Drew Lichtenberg (Pelham, Mass.) as the Pitchman, and Megan Long (Chapmanville, W. Va) as Linda; and first-year students Caitlin McCown (Beloit, Wis.) as Pauline and Tariq Vasudeva (New Delhi, India) as the Professor. Sophomore Aileen Ziegler (Columbus, Ind.) is the stage manager.

Tickets for "American Notes" are $10 general admission, $5 for senior citizens and $4 for students of all ages. Call the Theatre Box Office at (740) 587-6527 to reserve tickets and for more information. The play contains some strong language, which may not be appropriate for children.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

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