University of Virginia Library

New Revolving Stage
Used For O'Neill Play

With the addition of a revolving
stage in Minor Hall, the
Virginia Players' production of
"Ah! Wilderness" promises a
new theatrical effect for theater
goers in the Charlottesville area.

The play was called a "comedy
of recollection" by its author,
Eugene O'Neill, and his
description is borne out as the
characters build one situation on
another to provide an enjoyable
view of human events.

O'Neill's play is the second
production of the Virginia Players
of their 1967-68 season and
will be presented nightly December
4-9 in Minor Hall. The
show deals with the problems
facing a typically middle-class
American family in the early
1900's.

Highlighting the Virginia
Players' production is a complete
revolving stage on which the entire
four sets for the show have
been built. Designed by Frank
Silberstein, the revolve is 25 feet
in diameter, and necessitated
building an additional three foot
apron on the front of Minor
Hall stage.

Aside from offering a new
feature for theater goers in the
Charlottesville area, the revolving
stage provides a completely
different concept for the actors
involved in "Ah! Wilderness," as
the revolve eliminates the pauses
and the switch is made a "vista"
so that the audience feels a part
of continuous action.

Designer Silberstein noted that
the revolve was relatively easy
to build, and the major problem
resulted in finding a functional
drive mechanism for the
25 foot turntable.

Curtain time for the play will
be 8:30. University students will
be admitted on Monday and
Tuesday for $1.00; the Players
Box Office is open each afternoon
from 2 to 5.