Members of the cast of "The Fifth of July" include, from left to right, Eric Harper, Alex Van Handel, Dana Craig (sitting), Christie Burgess, Corey Wiesner and Sam Gedymin.

"The Fifth of July," a character-driven comedic drama about disillusionment in America after the Vietnam Era, will be staged at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) February 8-9 and 14-17 by the Department of Theatre and Dance. Written by American playwright Lanford Wilson, "The Fifth of July" centers on the reunion of several generations of family and friends who are coping with "what might have been," said the shows director, UWSP Theatre and Dance Assistant Professor H. Russ Brown. "The play is about survival," he said, "and taking what we've got and making the best of it." Performances will be held in the Studio Theatre in the Noel Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 8; Saturday, February 9; Thursday, February 14, Friday, February 15; and Saturday, February 16. A Sunday matinee will be held at 2 p.m. on February 17. Tickets are $17 for adults, $16 for senior citizens and $12 for youth. UWSP students with a valid ID may purchase advance tickets for $4.50 per show or get in free the day of the show if seats are still available. The show is recommended for teens and adults. Tickets may be purchased at University Information and Tickets in the concourse of the Dreyfus University Center or by calling (715) 346-4100 or (800) 838-3378. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.

A funny and poignant drama, "The Fifth of July" is set in 1977 at the Missouri farmhouse of a Vietnam veteran, Ken (played by freshman Alexander Van Handel, Hartford), and his lover, Jed (played by junior Eric Harper, Fond du Lac). Visiting the farmhouse are some of Ken and Jed's friends and family who were fellow former activists as well as Kens teenage niece and his elderly aunt. Their conversation results in clashing sensibilities and different levels of disillusionment.

"Wilson has a real command of the language," says Brown. "We see a group of friends who had high aspirations in the 60s and the potential of positive cultural change. They lost momentum and are now trying to deal with reality in their own way."

This is an actors play, he adds, in which each character is an intricate part of the action. The subtext involved in playing each part has been a challenge for the student actors, who are handling it well, he said.

In addition to acting, UWSP students are serving as scenic, sound, lighting, costume and make-up directors. The Studio Theatre has been transformed into a realistic setting of a farmhouse porch, including the grass and plants that surround it.