2/9/2004

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU THEATER PROFESSOR WRITES DARK COMIC, PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

TO BE STAGED IN FIVE PERFORMANCES AT MILLER AUDITORIUM – Feb. 22-29

       SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.  Dr. David Skeele joined the Slippery Rock University theater faculty to teach theater courses and direct plays. This month, he's added the responsibility of writing a black comic, contemporary psychological thriller students will present in five Miller Auditorium performances.

Titled "Double Bulldog," the two-act work, tells of Denny Davis, played by Evan Endres of Ligonier, who dreams of being president of his neighborhood Christian militia. When the dream comes true, there is a dark turn as his charismatic, second-in-command Boyd Painter, played by Marc Epstein of Beaver Falls, raises the stakes, proposing to assassinate a Marilyn Manson-style shock-rock band he believes is corrupting American values. Davis suffers an attack of conscience, leading to a suspenseful struggle for control of the group.

 Curtains are at 8 p.m. Feb 25-28, with a 2 p.m. matinee Feb. 29. Tickets are $5, general admission; $3 students. Seating is limited. A public reception for those ages 21 and older will be held at 6:30 p.m. opening night in the Russell Wright Alumni House.

       "The play's idea came to me about two years ago while playing tennis," Skeele explains, noting he had been following the week's news and mentally linked a series of unrelated events to quickly form the play's overall  plot. "It took me a few months to flesh out the plot, and to develop the characters, the dialogue and hopefully the suspense that keeps the audience interested," he explains. Calling the work "'a play of ideas' blended with a suspense thriller," Skeele says the work brings to light what is happening "out on the extreme edges of the American cultural divide."

       The remainder of the cast includes Jeff Feola of New Castle as Peyton; Brett Hockenberry of Harrisville as Roger; Shaun Starke of Butler as Jerry; Gordon Phetteplace, associate professor of theater, as Steam; and Michelle Gates of Ambridge, as Denise.

Costume design is being handled by Lydia Giese and set design by Jason Clark, both of Butler. Katie Erskin of West Deer is the stage manager.

 PN, PgN, WPN, PR