2-22-08

Media Release

‘Street Theater' Opens at OSU

CORVALLIS, Ore. – “Street Theater,” a witty, satirical play about the events that culminated in the historic Stonewall Rebellion, opens March 6 at Oregon State University.

Presented by Oregon State University Theatre, the play begins at 7:30 p.m. on March 6-8 and at 2 p.m. on March 9 in the Lab Theatre in Withycombe Hall on campus.

Doric Wilson's 1982 play, “Street Theater,” details the events on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, on June 27, 1969. The day culminated in the Stonewall Rebellion, when patrons barricaded the police inside the Stonewall Inn during one of the frequent police raids on gay bars. The ensuing riot paved the way for the beginning of the modern gay rights movement; it has become known as “the day the gays fought back.”

Based upon actual events, the comedy follows the exchanges between these characters in the hours leading up to the police raid. It documents the historic beginning of a long-lasting civil rights movement.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, playwright Wilson was a participant in all three nights of the Stonewall riots. He helped pioneer the Off-Off Broadway theater movement and was a founding member of Circle Repertory Theater. In 1994 he received the Robert Chesley award for lifetime achievement in gay theater. He resides in New York City.

The OSU cast includes Tyson Beachemin, Dieter Rudolph, Jen Waters, Jessica Coleman, Matt Smith, David Standiford, Mike Turner, Eric Nepom, Derek Peterson, Matt Savino, Daryn Bergsma, Brody Boyd, Kayla Picard, and Kristen Lycett.

Costumes are by Kimberly Holling, the stage manager is Aislyn Marshall, and the play is directed by Ajai Tripathi.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for students. Tickets are available at the OSU Theatre box office from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Call 541-737-2784 or go to http://oregonstate.edu/dept/theatre.