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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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5/9/95                  Janet McCoy

AU THEATRE PRESENTS "PURLIE" MAY 18-21 AND 25-27 IN TELFAIR PEET

      AUBURN -- The Auburn University Department of Theatre will 
present the Broadway musical "Purlie," based on the book by Ozzie Davis, 
Philip Rose and Peter Udell May 18-21 and 25-27 in Telfair Peet Theatre.
      The play, directed by Dyann Robinson, assistant professor of 
theatre at AU, is about the life of Purlie Victorious Judson, a gutsy, 
good-hearted African-American preacher, who plots to procure a wrongfully 
withheld inheritance to buy a church. In doing so, Judson tackles a 
system of social inequities.
      Sassy dialogue and song lyrics, caricature and musical numbers 
which draw from gospel, soul and rhythm and blues traditions keep this 
social satire light.
      Tickets for each performance are $8 and performances begin at 8 
p.m. on May 18-20 and 25-27, and 2 p.m. matinee performance on May 21. 
Tickets can be ordered by calling the Ticket Office at 844-4154.
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may95:Purlie
CONTACT: AU Theatre Marketing Director Linda Bell, 334/844-4748.