TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - "True West," the modern American classic by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Sam Shepard, will be presented at The University of Alabama's Marian Gallaway Theatre in Rowand-Johnson Hall on Feb. 8-12 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

What happens when myth collides with reality? "True West" is a tale of sibling rivalry; of dreams pursued, achieved, lost and re-evaluated; of a family colliding at unexpected turning points. With equally skewed doses of humor and pessimism, playwright Sam Shepard examines the results when brothers who seem to be complete opposites think the grass looks greener on the other side of the prairie fence.

The director, Dr. Peder Melhuse, assistant professor of theatre and dance at UA, comes to the production of "True West" with an interesting perspective. He has played the lead roles in three prior productions of "True West" during his acting career. The lead roles of "Austin" and "Lee" will be played by UA students Thomas Azar and Cliff Williams.

"True West" is the winner of an Obie Award in 1985. The Obie Awards, short for Off-Broadway Theater Awards, have become the most prestigious theater awards in the U.S. next to the Tony Awards. For more information, please visit www.as.ua.edu/theatre or call 205/348-3400.

Tickets may be purchased at the theatre and dance box office located in the lobby of Rowand-Johnson Hall. The ticket office is open from noon until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the evening of the performance from 6 p.m. to curtain call. Ticket prices are $12 for general admission, $10 for UA faculty and staff and seniors, and $8 for students and children. This play features strong language and is not recommended for young children.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the University's largest division and the largest public liberal arts college in the state with 6,600 students and 360 faculty. Students from the college have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater
Scholarships and memberships on the "USA Today" Academic All AmericanTeam.