LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Rider University President J. Barton Luedeke will wear the wings of an angel. Susan Glazer, professor of graduate education, will give a tap-dancing tribute to America. Diana Crane, professor of arts and sciences at Rider's Westminster Choir College, will perform her favorite piece, "Bubbles Latrine Without Her Educated Sheepdogs."

What do these three unusual theatrical moments by members of the Rider faculty and administration have in common? Each is a hilarious between-act olio that will accompany the student performance of Love Rides the Rails (or Will the Mail Train Run Tonight?), the grand finale of the 1997-98 Rider theatre production season.

A fast-paced, farcical melodrama, Love Rides the Rails opens on Wednesday, April 22 and continues through Friday, April 24, with all shows beginning at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre on Rider's Lawrenceville campus. A special benefit performance for the Fine Arts Theatre restoration project will be on Saturday, April 25, with dinner at 5 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m.

"This is purely whimsical theatre," said director Dr. Pat Chmel, professor of fine arts. "It is reminiscent of the old-fashioned melodrama that was so popular at the turn of the century. It will be a fun production that will use student actors, faculty, and administrators."

Stage and screen will also come together near the end of the play when select student actors, faculty, and administrators engage in a wild chase sequence, including one scene through President Luedeke's home.

"The scene will be shown to the audience in film format as the villain and hero chase each other across campus," said Dr. Chmel.

Despite the new twists and added features of the performance, the spotlight will again be on a cast of 21 of Rider's leading student performers. Among the leading actors are Rider theatre veterans Frank Saffioti Jr., a resident of Vineland, who is cast as town hero Truman Pendennis, and Jennifer Alimonti of Eatontown, who will portray Truman's virtuous girlfriend Prudence Hopewell. Both seniors scheduled to graduate in May, Saffioti and Alimonti will be making their final performance at Rider.

Admission to Love Rides the Rails is $10 for the general public and $5 for faculty, staff, and students. Advance ticket information and reservations for all regular showings can be obtained by calling (609) 896-5303.

For further information on ticket prices and donor recognition levels for the April 25 benefit performance, which includes a cocktail hour and dinner on campus prior to the show, call Dr. Chmel at (609) 896-5186.

Rider University's Lawrenceville campus is located five miles south of Princeton and three miles north of Trenton on Route 206 in Lawrence Township, NJ. The campus is one-half mile south of exit 7A of Interstate 95.