Mature audience only for "Shivaree

Last night marked the opening of this semester's final production by EKU Theatre as five students told the story of "Shivaree" by William Mastrosimine.Chandler (Aaron Bentley) is a 19-year-old hemophiliac whose mother, Mrs. Kimbrough (Amie Dunn), is over-protective of him.

Mrs. Kimbrough does not want Chandler's genetic condition to be passed down to other generations, so she tries to keep him from meeting people, especially women.

Chandler becomes frustrated about not having a female companion.

Chandler's savvy neighbor Scaggs (Branden Hayes) gets him a prostitute named Laura (Dawn Hall), but Chandler cannot make himself loss his virginity to her.

Chandler eventually meets Shivaree (Dora Barrett), a belly dancer who lives across the street.

Mrs. Kimbrough struggles to keep them apart.

The play is for an adult-only audience because of some cussing and sexual content.

"We feel it's better to warn people," said Jim Moreton, director of "Shivaree."

Moreton said he chose "Shivaree" as the final production of the year because it is a lesser-known play.

It is different having so few people in the play, Moreton said.

"I personally like to direct newer stuff and the newer stuff tends to have fewer cast members," Moreton said.

"I've never been in such a small cast so for me it has been a learning experience," Hayes said.

It is an honor to be picked to be in the cast because there are only five members, Hayes said.

Hayes said he would describe his character, Scaggs, as "a fast-talking street-rat who would do just about anything to get what he wants."

EKU Theatre will present "Shivaree" at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday in the Gifford Theatre in the Campbell Building.

Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $6 for adults. Tickets can be reserved between noon and 4 p.m. by calling 622-1323 through Friday.

Reach Brittney at
brittney_haynes1@eku.edu