Alfred Jarry's 1896 absurdist drama, "Ubu Roi," (Ubu the King) will be performed at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Nov. 9) through Saturday (Nov. 11) and will continue Tuesday (Nov. 14) through Friday (Nov. 17) in the Ace Morgan Theatre (211 W. College St., Granville). Tickets are $8 general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for non-Denison students. The production is recommended for mature audiences.

"Ubu Roi" is regarded as a highly influential work, acting as a precursor to the Surrealist, Dada, and Absurdist art movements to follow in the 20th century. It is also viewed as a great satire through Jarry's eyes, as he brilliantly mocks the abuse of bourgeois authority over the proletariat.

"Ubu Roi" both confused and appalled audiences when it first premiered more than 100 years ago due to its bold execution. The main character of the drama, Pa Ubu, is a disgusting, cruel, and gluttonous man who leads a purposeless existence. He and his wife, Ma Ubu, are constantly at odds with one another in their wildly erratic ways. It is so outlandish that the first two rows of Ace Morgan Theatre were removed and the stage coated with a disposable surface to accommodate a food fight that takes place during the production.

Robert Gander, associate professor of theatre, directs this production of "Ubu Roi." Associate professors Peter Pauze and Cynthia Turnbull are the scenic and lighting director and costume designer respectively. Seniors Ryan Lucas (North Ridgeville) and Gretchen Vogt (Delaware) will perform the roles of Pa and Ma Ubu. Members of the ensemble will perform various roles. Serving in the cast are: seniors Brittany Bradley (Edina, Minn.), Chris Carr (Weymouth, Mass.), Lindsey Johnson (Perrysburg), and Nicholas Moulakis (Columbus), junior Stephanie Byers (Brockport, N.Y.), sophomores Dustin Meltzer (Methuen, Mass.), Adam Schreck (Bethel Park, Pa.), and first-years Allison Brogan (Lexington), Kathryn Dahm (Austin, Texas), and Tara Demmy (East Amherst, N.Y.).

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Performance of Alfred Jarry's "Ubu Roi" (Ubu the King). 8 p.m., Thursday (Nov. 9) through Saturday (Nov. 11) and will continue Tuesday (Nov. 14) through Friday (Nov. 17) in the Ace Morgan Theatre (211 W. College St., Granville). Contact 740-587-6231 to confirm information.

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.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575