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.