The Nineteen Seventies
1978-79
The University Theatre opened its 48th season with Love’s Labors Lost directed by Jean Congdon in the Thrust. Next came The Lower Depths, a naturalistic Russian drama set in a flophouse in the early 20th century, and performed where else but in our “lower depths” -- the Experimental Theatre. William Buckingham’s scene design won the national ACTF design award for that year. We toured the production to UMD in January for the regional ACTF. The White Liars/Black Comedy ended fall quarter in the Proscenium. 
An evening of song, dance, music, and mime, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd directed by Suzie Rephan in the Arena theatre began winter quarter, followed by the farce Hotel Paradiso in the Proscenium directed by Lee Adey. The first production of this play we did in 1968 in Scott Hall featured a snapped rope on the turntable during preview that stopped the show; this time a burning candle rolled into the drawer of the desk on stage. Fortunately an enterprising and alert actor simply poured a glass of water into the drawer and put it out before anyone but the crew noticed. In March YPUT presented The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew in the Thrust with a wonderful soft-sculpture design by Nan Zabriskie (now Bloom).
Spring quarter’s production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle featured a stand-out performance by Beth Gilleland. The season finished with Plautus’ Amphitryon in the Arena. Workshop productions included The Post Office, Thunder in the Indies, and The Bird of Dawning Strength All Night Long.
Peter the Postman and Paul Bunyan Adventures were the children’s fare at the Peppermint Tent. Pinero’s Dandy Dick, a turn of the century comedy, was chosen to play on the Showboat. Directed by Charles Nolte with scenery and lighting designed by Jean Montgomery, it was fondly referred to as “the story of a horse and the boy who loved him”.
1978 marked the beginning of Pam Mitman’s sojourn with the University Theatre and the Department.
