The two rooms of the title are a windowless cubicle in Beirut where an American hostage is being held by Lebanese terrorists, and a room in his home in the United States which his wife has stripped of furniture so that, at least symbolically, she can share his ordeal.

The same room serves for both and is also the locale for imaginary conversations between the hostage and his wife, plus the setting for the real talks she has with a reporter and a State Department official. The former, an overly ambitious sort who hopes to develop the situation into a major personal accomplishment. He tries to prod the wife into taking umbrage at what he labels government ineptitude and inaction.

The State Department representative is coolly efficient, and even dispassionate, in her attempt to treat the matter with professional detachment. It is her job to try to make the wife aware of the larger equation of which the taking of a hostage is only one element. As the months inch by it becomes increasingly difficult to remain patient. The wife is goaded to speak out against government policy and, in so doing, triggers the tragic series of events that brings the play to its startling conclusion.

In the end there are no winners, only losers, and the sense of futility and despair that comes when people of good will realize that logic, compassion and fairness have become meaningless when dealing with those who would commit such barbarous acts so willingly.

The ASU Theatre production of "Two Rooms" is under the direction of Bob Simpson, professor of theatre. Scenery and lighting design is by Albert Juhrend, assistant professor of theatre; and costume design is by Kelly Schaefer, temporary assistant professor of theatre.

The cast includes Brittany Hillyer, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro; Rob Hypes, a junior theatre major from Jacksonville; Dustin Brown, a junior theatre major from Little Rock; and Cheyenne Nelson, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro. Stephanie Reber, a sophomore theatre major from Sheridan will serve as stage manager.

"Two Rooms" will be performed in the Black Box Experimental Theatre each evening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for reserved seating in advance at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center for $6, by calling 870-972-ASU1(2781), or online at tickets.astate.edu.

Reserved seating tickets (if available) may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance for $8. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

This play is suitable for mature audiences only; children under six will not be admitted. Please arrive early; latecomers will not be seated until intermission.

For more information, contact the Department of Theatre, 870-972-8115.

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