UB Department Of Theatre And Dance To Present Starmites

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The UB Department of Theatre and Dance will present the rock musical, Starmites, April 6-9 and 13-16 in the Drama Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

This fun and lively rock musical has been called "a space-age Peter Pan" and is set in a comic book fantasy world that features the superheroic Starmites, a collection of "droids," the Arch Creep of Chaos, and a half-lizard, half-humanoid.

The Tony-nominated show tells the coming of age story of Eleanor, a comic book-loving teenager slowly awakening to her own self-worth. That awakening quickens when she is transported into a parallel universe, eventually becoming Milady, Superhero of Innerspace.

Eleanor's mother is a quiet, unassuming woman who loves her daughter, wishing only she would outgrow her comic book craze. In the parallel universe, however, the mother is Diva, the imposing and powerful Queen of Innerspace.

The Starmites -- Space Punk, Herbie Harrison, Dazzle Razzledorf and Ack Ack Ackerman -- are wisecracking, sworn protectors of Milady, as she tangles with Shak Graa, the Arch Creep of Chaos, who is out to destroy both Earth and Innerspace. Diva is surrounded by her henchwomen -- the Banshees -- who are peculiar bird-like creatures that answer Diva's every command and provide a constant nightmare for the Starmites.

Tickets for Starmites are $10 for the general public and $5 for students, and may be purchased at the Center Box Office (Tuesday-Friday, noon-6 p.m.) and all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's and Movies Plus. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; Canadian orders are available by calling 1-416-870-8000. For more information, call 645-ARTS.