Original music and video, one of the most influential playwrights in the 20th century and the ultimate test of love take center stage in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," which opens Nov. 10 at University Theatre.

This year's second Mainstage Series production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10-12 and 16-19 with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13.

The play, penned by Bertolt Brecht, follows a time of rebellion — the specific war is never mentioned, but it contains elements of many wars. In the first act the audience meets Grusha (junior Courtney Hawkins), a young servant, who adopts Michael (Tom Bloxham), the young son of the city's governor. The governor has been killed in an insurrection, causing his wife to flee and abandon Michael.

"For me, the most prominent thematic idea behind this play is that caring for another human being is one of the most valuable undertakings we can pursue in our lives," said Jennifer Blackmer, director and theatre professor. "But it is difficult to do, and often comes with a high price."

The second act introduces Azdak (senior A.J. Wright), an eccentric judge with a reputation for ruling in favor of the poor. The governor's wife reappears and demands her son be returned to her, and Grusha decides to fight back. The dispute between the governor's wife, who abandoned the child, and Grusha, who saved the child and cared for him, is settled by Azdak, who places the child in a chalk circle and declares that whichever woman can pull him from the circle will be granted custody. Which mother will win?

"At every turn, someone tries to convince Grusha to give up Michael, but she refuses," Blackmer said. "She believes that sacrificing her love for him would come at an even greater cost."

Video and multimedia design by award-winning guest artist Tony Brown, which was paid in part through a grant from Ball State's Center for Media Design, is a beneficial addition to the production, she said. He is one of artistic directors of Margolis Brown Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Minn. Brown and codirector Kari Margolis have created 12 large-scale works that have toured nationally and internationally to Berlin, London, Singapore, Mexico and Canada.

"We're thrilled that Tony could come and be a guest artist at Ball State," Blackmer said. "Brecht believed that technology could greatly influence the style and pace of theater production, and we wanted to explore the technological possibilities with our production."

Ball State's production also features original music, composed by Jody Nagel, Ball State professor of music theory and composition. His works have been performed in various American cities and around the world. Nagel won a 1998 Young Composers Award for a chamber orchestral work and was a Fulbright Fellow in Sydney, Australia in 1993.

Tickets are $12 ($11 for Ball State faculty and staff, $9 for senior citizens and $6 for students) and can be purchased at the University Theatre box office. Mainstage Season subscriptions are $40 ($36 for Ball State faculty and staff, $25 for senior citizens and $20 for students).

Upcoming productions include:

"Coppelia," – 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8-10; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 10-11; 10 a.m., Dec. 9; University Theatre. Ball State's first full-length ballet in 20 years will be performed under the artistic direction of Lou Ann Young.

"Antigone" – 7:30 p.m., Feb. 15-19; 2:30 p.m., Feb. 19; 10 a.m., Feb. 17, University Theatre. Irish poet Brian Kennelly's new translation of the Sophocles classic. Directed by Karen Kessler.

"Alchemy of Desire/Dead Man's Blues" – 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23-25, 27-28, Mar. 1; 2:30 p.m., Feb. 25-26, Strother Theatre. This beautifully stylized ensemble piece explores the role of women as gatekeepers to the spirit world. Written by Caridad Svich and directed by Wendy Mortimer.