September 13, 2001

Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

KU's University Theatre to present contemporary drama 'Butterfly Kiss'

Original Link: http://www.news.ku.edu/2001/01N/SeptNews/Sept13/butterflykiss.html

LAWRENCE -- The University Theatre at the University of Kansas opens the 2001-02 theatre season with Phyllis Nagy's drama, "Butterfly Kiss," the opening production in the "KU Women's Play Festival," part of the William Inge Memorial Theatre Series. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 through 23 and 25 through 28 in the Inge Theatre.

Megan Shea, Quincy, MA, graduate student, is directing the provocative play, which she describes as a "detailed look at the life of a woman who was subjected to sexual and mental abuse that eventually led to a murder." "This play is for women, by a woman, and about women," Shea said. "It is an exploration into the mind of a young woman who has recently murdered her mother. As the woman is questioned about her motive for this act of horror, she flashes back to a childhood filled with abuse. Her memories detail how her grandmother, mother, and father all took part in subjecting her to their dysfunctional whims."

"Butterfly Kiss," first published in Great Britain by Nick Hern Books in 1994, was first produced at the Almeida Theatre in London in April 1994. Shea said she was attracted to the script because of the many violent acts that have occurred in this country in recent years.

"It seems as if, suddenly, people who were once considered 'normal' by their neighbors are transformed into perpetrators, victims, and abusers," she said. "The crime attracts the attention of the entire nation. We wonder why. Why did Susan Smith drown her children? Why did the tragedy at Columbine occur? Why are the killers' morals different from our own? We blame violent media, video games, and lack of gun control as we search for motive in the details of the life of the murderer. We give importance to speculations of friends, neighbors and relatives. But how often do we take seriously what the murderer has to say about her actions?"

She added the play also fascinated her because it concentrates on exploring one character.

"Spectators get a glimpse of life through this woman's eyes," she explained. "The events that happen occur with other people, but are always taken from her point of view. This character is dark; she was driven to murder her own mother and appears as guiltless in the eyes of the audience and to the other characters onstage."

The entire play is set in a jail cell, although the woman's memories transform the cell into several settings including her childhood home. "The place presented onstage appears to be not only the physical prison where she is located, but also the prison of her mind," Shea explained.

"As the play continues, we see a woman trapped by her past or by her remembrance of everything that has happened earlier in life. During her recollections, her emotions demonstrate a coldness which can only stem from a complete shutdown of human affectation."

Shea, currently a master's degree candidate in theatre at KU, received her undergraduate degree in theatre and dance from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. During her time at Trinity, she directed a production of Heiner MŸller's "Hamletmachine" and a workshop production of Matthew Glassman's "Intimacy, Discomfort & Earthquakes." Most recently she choreographed and acted in The University Theatre's production of Vaclav Havel's "Temptation" last spring. General admission tickets for "Butterfly Kiss" and the other four productions in the "KU Women's Play Festival" are now on sale in the KU box offices: Murphy Hall, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; SUA Office, 864 7469; and on-line at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are $12 for the public, $6 for all students, and $11 for senior citizens. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone and on-line orders.

Members of the cast for the KU production of "Butterfly Kiss" include (listed by name, class, parents' names, home address, and role):

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Kate Haugan, senior, daughter of Cindy Long, 12330 W. 85th Terrace, Martha. From Shawnee Megan Schemmel, senior, daughter of James and Carol Schemmel, 10409 W. 52nd Terrace, Jenny.

From Stilwell
Becky Lake, senior, daughter of Stephen and Joyce Lake, 16205 Riggs Road, Sally.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Lansing
Bob Dorsey, junior, son of Paul and Lilly Dorsey, 519 Forestglen, Teddy Roosevelt Hayes.

MARION COUNTY
From Peabody
Amber Renee McIntosh, senior, daughter of Sondra McIntosh, RR 2, and Mickey Page, 7859 NW Roanridge Road, Kansas City, MO; Lily Ross.

SALINE COUNTY
From Smolan
Clancy O'Connor, sophomore, son of James Jay and Tammy O'Connor, 2997 W. Smolan Road, Jackson Trouver.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Hannah Ballou, junior, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Ballou, 210 SW Broadmoor, Christine.

(End Kansas)

TEXAS
From Spicewood
Colum Parke Morgan, senior, son of John and Maura Morgan, 117 Harbor Drive, Sloan.