Crop Circles Opens April 27" 

SALISBURY, MD---After months of preparation and countless weekend rehearsals, the curtain is ready to go up for the April 27 premiere of the Salisbury State University student theatre club’s production of Crop Circles--a tale of a town’s encounter with aliens and the personal reflections that result.

“Ultimately it’s a tale of deception and trying to tell the difference between reality and fantasy,” said Catherine Sheehy, SSU senior and director. “The UFO is a vehicle for telling the story.”

Performances are in Fulton Hall Theatre on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, and Thursday-Saturday, May 3-5 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 29, and May 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 and $5 for senior citizens and children. SSU ID cardholders are admitted free.

The story is told through the eyes of an old woman who recalls her encounters with aliens during the 1950s. At their meetings, the aliens encourage her to give up her material desires.

Sheehy said she chose the play--written by Forest Stiltner of Reisterstown, MD--because of its message to value the qualities that make us human, namely caring and compassion.

Sheehy said she has been working with theatre for as long as she can remember, from set design to costume work.

"Directing is the culmination of all my years in the classroom and on the stage,” she said.

As director she said she gave the cast of some 20 people a chance to be seen on stage. “Everyone has the chance to showcase his or her ability, not just stand there to make the stage look pretty,” she said.

The play is sponsored by the Bobbi Biron Theatre Program and Sophanes, the student theatre club.

For reservations call the Box Office for information at 410-543-6228 or visit the University’s Web site at www.salisbury.edu.