‘Dead Man Walking’ at GU’s Russell Theatre

Thanks to actor-playwright Tim Robbins, Gonzaga University’s theater arts program will present Robbins’ death penalty play “Dead Man Walking” beginning Friday.

Last spring, Robbins chose to release the rights to his stage version of “Dead Man Walking” to 23 Jesuit universities as a way of showing his appreciation for the Jesuits’ emphasis on social justice. Gonzaga was one of those schools.

So now Gonzaga’s theater department is ready to open its version, directed by Janis Waley.

Robbins was the writer-director of the 1995 movie of the same name. The story, about a convicted killer on Death Row, was based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean. Robbins finished adapting his screenplay for the stage this year.

John Hofland is the set designer, Summer Berry is the costume designer and Kelly Tavenner is the lighting designer. The show has a cast of 40, most of them new to the GU stage.

A number of GU professors are incorporating the play into their courses as a way to encourage discussion and investigation into death penalty issues.

The play opens Friday, 7:30 p.m., and continues Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students, available by calling 323-6553.

All shows are at the Russell Theatre on the GU campus.