Una Theatre To Stage 'master Harold And The Boys' Feb. 24-26

Jan. 31, 2011

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@39680a.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - Racism, bigotry and its effects on people are a few of the standout themes in the upcoming play "Master Harold and the Boys," which the University of North Alabama theatre program will perform Feb. 24-26 at 7:30 p.m. in Norton Auditorium.

Set in 1950 in South Africa during the apartheid period, a 17-year-old boy named Hally lives with an alcoholic, disabled father and spends much of his free time with two black waiters who work for his parents' upscale restaurant. After Hally learns his father is returning home after being hospitalized, he releases his anger and frustration on the waiters. Directed by professor Charlton James, the Athol Fugard play demonstrates how racist and bigoted behaviors can influence others, but also sheds light on themes of hope and progress. The play won the 1982 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play and was nominated for a 1982 Tony Award. "This play really promotes you to think of a way to make the world a better place," James said. "It is enlightening to see how a 17-year-old boy in South Africa during institutionalized racism is very similar to a boy in 1950 in Mississippi. Even though they are thousands of miles across the planet from each other, they are still very similar and universal." UNA student and actor Spencer Cantrell, who will portray the character Hally, has joined the other cast and production members in working up to 20 hours every week in preparation for the play. "Theatre is meant to be a service to the community and to educate and promote people to think," he said. "This is one of those plays as it gives you insight into a different period of time." Admission to "Master Harold and the Boys" will be $5 for students, faculty and staff and $10 for the general public. Seating will be limited.

Cast

Michael Baldwin, of Birmingham - Sam Kelvin Jones, of Madison - Willie Spencer Cantrell, of Alabaster - Hally

Production Company

Bryan Hall, of Tuscumbia - Stage manager Adam St. John, of Florence - Assistant stage manager Matt Bryant, of Gallant - Scene designer Morgan Putman, of Florence - Costume designer Lesley Harper, of Madison - Assistant director

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: 39680a.com and 39680a.com/unaworks/.