Aitrs Festival of New Works dra attention to 'U' p1lywrite Monda9, June 11, 2001-- The Michigan bail - 11 y Jenna Gerds r the Daily hen you think Broadway show, at comes to mind? "Annie, Get Your Gun," "Rent," "The Summer of 42 Divided ..." Wait, "Sum- ter of 42?" This rueblood Theatre musical is June 15-16 at8s p.m. scheduled to hit Broadway next season, but a few people on campus might have already een it. That's because "Summer of 2" owes at least a portion of its uture success to the University of ichigan's New Works Festival. The lay debuted at the University, under onstruction, in June of 1999 in the estival's first year on campus. The Festival of New Works, artis- ally directed for three years by ywright Frank Gagliano, helped o showcase "Summer of 42" and nany other plays, musicals and creenplays in the last two years, and sill continue to provide this special nd unique opportunity in 2001. In act, the Festival is the only vehicle n the country for dramatic writing hat undertakes production for all hree forms of media in one season, .nd Gagliano and his associate, dary Lou Chlipala, have put a lot of d, sweat and tears into this sum - aers Festival. Arthur Miller attended the Festival n the summer of 1999 and said that ie believes "... this kind of commit- ment of the University of Michigan to new plays can enhance the art of dramatic writing in this country. I hope it takes off and flies." But don't buy tickets for this year's upcoming plays expecting to see a finished product. The element of the Festival of New Works that makes it so original is the fact that the productions are in developmental stages. It provides writers with a venue to show their pieces in front of an audience with professional actors and directors so that they can see what works and what needs a little adjusting. Afterwards, there is an audience discussion with the crew in order to provide input about a show that may eventually find its way into a major production. The plays go through an intense ten-day rehearsal period, where a majority of the people involved meet for the first time and get ready for two public performances in the Freize building. This weekend's show, "Divided," is a play written by Tony award-winning playwright Mel Stapiro and directed by Seth Gor- don. It has all the elements necessary for a story of international intrigue: A beautiful, brilliant scientist in love with two men - one of whom mys- teriously appears in her life riding a shopping cart and putting her mar- riage, career and life into jeopardy. The plot centers around nuclear waste disposal activism, radioactive world threat and kidnapping in this complex play heavily punctuated with Shapiro's trademark wit. Senior Sandra Abrevaya has a star- ring role in "Divided", and, as a rare added bonus, theater icon Zelda Fichlander will be, speaking before the June 15 performance. Tickets are on sale now for the Friday and Saturday performances in the Trueblood Theatre at 8 p.m. for those of you that want to experience raw theater at its best. ABBY ROSENBAUM/Daily Eric Clapton plays to the crowd at the Palace on June 6, insisting this Is his last tour. The show featured old favorites "Layla," "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Bell Bottom Blues, along with an unconventional closing of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." AIM A.STH. Mffik, Physicians in your area are seeking subjects to participate in a clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effective- ness of a research medication for symptoms of asthma. Participants must be: * Generally healthy men or women between 18 and 70 years old + Symptoms of asthma reasonably controlled with use of an albuterol or similar inhaler (Proventil*, Ventolin®) * Able to complete 6-7 visits over 6-8 weeks Study-related physical exams, breathing tests, ECG's, study medication at no charge Compensation for 8 completed visits is $320 INTERESTED? Call ClinSite at 1-888-254-6748 toll-free, or email us at clinsite@aol.com Brighton, Ann Arbor, Plymouth