Hope College Theatre opens its 2001-02 season on Friday, Sept. 28, with a production of "The Years," a modern drama by Cindy Lou Johnson.

The production plays in the DeWitt Center studio theatre, with additional performances on Saturday, Sept. 29; Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 3-4; and Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 11-13. Curtain time is 8 p.m.

"The Years" begins when Andrea, a young woman who has recently lost her parents, is attacked on her wedding day. In a surprising and precipitous decision, Andrea tells her family that she slipped and fell, thus protecting her assailant. As the play unfolds over a 16-year period, this event, together with others, reverberates with moving, comic and surprising results. In the end, redemption comes for each character, not through large acts and rituals, but through almost insignificant, long-forgotten moments.

According Daina Robins, chair of the college's department of theatre and director of the production, the department chose the play for its themes involving family relationships and self-perception. Ultimately, she said, the play is about forgiveness, which she noted is both a timeless and a timely theme today.

The cast of six student actors includes: senior Jill Nyquist of Dyer, Ind., as Andrea; senior Quincy Marr of Gridley, Ill., as Andrew; junior Elizabeth Sturrus of Grand Rapids as Eloise; junior Kristin Tiscornia of Geneseo, N.Y., as Isabella; junior David Ovies of Royal Oak as Bartholomew; and sophomore Matthew Farmer of Bangor as Jeffrey.

Costume and make-up designs are by senior Anne Pott of Hamilton under the supervision of Michelle Bombe, associate professor of theatre. The rest of the designs are by members of the theatre faculty: Richard Smith, for scenery and properties, and Perry Landes, for lighting and sound. Kim Daelhousen, a senior from Sinking Spring, Pa., is the stage manager.

Tickets for "The Years" are $7 for regular adult admission, and $4 for senior citizens and students, and are available in the theatre lobby ticket office in the DeWitt Center. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on performance nights, and can be called at (616) 395-7890.

The DeWitt Center is located on Columbia Avenue at 12th Street.