Denison University's department of theatre will present a play for children,Wiley and the Hairy Man, at 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 1) and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 2) in the Burke Hall Theatre (220 W. Broadway). Tickets are $3. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Call (740) 587-6527.

This dramatization by Suzan Zeder of a magical folktale from the backwaters of Alabama is recommended for ages pre-school through third grade. It will be directed by senior theatre major Lynn Hull of Jacksonville, Florida. Hull has a minor in educational studies and has conducted drama workshops for young people and volunteered with Denison's After-School Drama Club at Newark schools. She was drawn to the script because of its universal appeal - a story of a child overcoming fear through courage and determination - and its exciting and humorous staging possibilities.

Wiley, played by first-year student Margaret Reid (Coral Gables, Fla.), fights to overcome her fear of the Hairy Man, a bigfoot-like monster played by junior Aaron Broomall (Fort Thomas, Ky.). Wiley's Mammy, first-year student Katherine Estrop (Wooster), may be "the best conjure woman in the county," but even she is no match for the Hairy Man.

Wiley must go into the swamp to find wood to build a house for her beloved hound Dog, played by sophomore Rebecca Schenck (Pittsburgh, Pa.). And Dog goes with her because, as 'everybody knows, the Hairy Man cain't stand no dogs." The Chorus is composed of first-year students Ashleigh Diver (Middletown), Elena Perantoni (Canfield), and Aileen Zeigler (Columbus, Ind.) and sophomore Sara Wolenski (Venetia, Pa.). They become the narrators, the sound effects, and even part of the scenery.

Faculty advisor for the production is Assistant Professor of Theatre Cynthia Turnbull; scenic designer is junior Dianna Craig (Ashland, Ky.); costume designer is junior Lauren Godburn (Meriden, Conn.); lighting designer is senior Jared Schuetter (Louisville, Ky.); sound designer is senior Jennifer Hulbert (Louisville, Ky.) and stage manager is sophomore Sarah Lentz (Evansville, Ind.).

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