Student Production begins new season with the sensual classic, Salome

WHAT: Student Production in the Herberger College of Fine Arts at ASU presents Salome, Oscar Wilde's adaptation of the biblical account of John the Baptist's beheading at the request of Herod's stepdaughter Salome. Salome looks at mankind's insatiable desire and passion for what it cannot have and shows the lengths that will be taken to obtain what is forbidden.

Student Production is a student-driven organization within the department of theatre that is committed to providing opportunity, resources, and support to ASU students who are ready for the challenge of bringing their artistic vision to life.

WHEN: February 23-25, 2003, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Student Laboratory Theatre at the Prism, 851 E. Tyler Street in the Ritter Building on the ASU campus (northwest corner of Terrace and Rural, just south of University Drive). 

TICKETS: $3 available at the door only

INFORMATION, TICKETS: 480-727-7877; student_production@hotmail.com

In today's fast-paced American society, people are constantly enticed with many different choices and are told that every desire is within reach. The demand of instant gratification is an expectation that society cannot live without. But what happens when that desire is left ungratified? Oscar Wilde's classic story Salome examines what happens when fantasy and passion cross the line into obsession.

Wilde's retelling of the biblical account of John the Baptist's beheading is told through Salome, the princess of Judea and stepdaughter to King Herod. Salome, who knew the power she possessed over men, was used to being able to have whatever she desired. She felt she had everything she wanted until she met the prophet Jokannan, who denied her advances. This one man she couldn't have quickly became a dangerous obsession to Salome that eventually led to her madness and her pursuit to stop at nothing until she got what she wanted. Through Salome, audiences observe the dark side to human nature and find out what happens when desires are left unsatisfied.

Director Ally Jenson has been intrigued by this examination of desire and obsession dealt with in Salome since her first time reading it and has worked to bring this classic play to life. She feels this is an important piece in today's world and wants to show that the character of Salome is comparable to many aspects of people of today. “This play has the power to move people, and that is my ultimate goal as a director, to move people in a way that causes them to look inside themselves and answer honestly about what they see."

Salome is the first show of the Student Production Spring 2003 Season. This season includes a wide array of performance pieces and of classic and contemporary writings that range from the classic story Salome to the contemporary new writings of Neil Labute. Salome will be followed by the original dance piece Blush: Memoirs of a Show Girl on March 9-11.

Media Contact:
Megan Krause
480-965-8795
megan.krause@asu.edu