SAN DIEGO -- The Old Globe Theatre/University of San Diego professional acting program will unveil its production of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale on the Cassius Carter Centre Stage Dec. 2-6 and December 9-12.

The program recruits seven students each year to participate in an intensive 2-year, year- round course of study in classical theatre culminating in a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dramatic Arts.

Guest director Tim Ocel has set the play in two contrasting locations. The kingdom of Sicilia is an urban setting in an imagined Edwardian Europe, the Kingdom of Bohemia is reminiscent of the dust bowl of rural America in the 30's. "This contrast of settings is essential in showing the juxtaposition of other themes such as joy and sorrow, or faith and disbelief, which are the key elements in the play," said Ocel. "The characters must suspend their disbelief and have faith that the magic they see before them is real. If they are able to do this, then the joy will come to them."

Ocel's cast includes Amy Chaffee, Michael Cruz, Amanda Henkel, Ben Hopkin, Brian Hutchinson, Leslie Kalarchian, James Konicek, Aaron Krohn, Caitlin Muelder, Neil Prunier, Peter Smith, Baylen Thomas, David Wells and Sarah Zimmerman.

For information call (619) 239-2255. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent