UNIVERSITY NEWS - NOVEMBER 2004

BOCA RATON, FL (November 3, 2004) - The Department of Theatre in Florida Atlantic University's School of the Arts pays tribute to the Lone Star state with two short comic gems that are set in Texas - Preston Jones' "The Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia" and Paul Zindel's "Ladies at the Alamo." The plays run Friday, November 12 through Sunday, November 21 and take place in the Studio One Theatre on FAU's Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. Shows run November 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and November 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Individual tickets may be purchased for $16, with group discounts available. FAU faculty, staff and alumni may purchase a ticket for $10 with ID, and FAU students receive tickets free with ID.

"The Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia" is about a group of Texas "good old boys" whose views of themselves as civic leaders contrast considerably with the reality of their run-down meeting room in an old hotel. The Knights came together with the mission of preserving the southern lifestyle of their ancestors. As their numbers have dwindled, however, they are less intent on their goals of patriotism and racial purity, and more interested in a game of cards and what their next liquid refreshment will be. The entrance of a new recruit fires up the group, but there is more fighting and arguing about the initiation rites than serious discussion of the Knights' goals. Unforgettable lines and rough and tumble sparring make this a must-see play.

The "Knights" will be followed by "Ladies at the Alamo." The setting is the reception room of the new multi-million dollar Alamo Theatre, where we join Dede Cooper, founder and artistic director of the theatre. Dede sees herself as a pillar of social life and sophistication in Texas City, Texas and the Alamo Theatre as the center of culture in the community. When she finds out that the chairman of the board for the theatre is plotting to replace her with a fading Hollywood star, the audience sees just how sophisticated Dede can be -- in "cat fighting" that is. Verbal jabs and shocking revelations ensue, while no one's reputation is left untouched.
"These two shows capture the old-fashioned stereotypes of Texas," said Jean-Louis Baldet, FAU professor and director for both plays. "While these characters think they are advanced culturally and civically, they can't shed their Texasness, and that's where the fun begins."

The plays are presented by the School of the Arts' Department of Theatre in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at FAU, in partnership with Bank of America and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.
Tickets may be purchased by calling 561-297-2977 or emailing artstickets@fau.edu , or they may be purchased at the event one hour prior to the performance. For more information about the plays, call the arts update hotline at 561-297-2977 or visit www.fau.edu/artsupdate. Due to graphic language, this performance is not recommended for children.

- FAU -