LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Again utilizing the outstanding, versatile acting talent on campus and the phenomenal student voices at its Westminster Choir College, Rider University opens its 1998-99 theatre season with a production of the musical comedy Baby next month.

The show will take the stage on two successive Friday and Saturday evenings -- November 13, 14, 20 and 21 -- in the Fine Arts Theatre on the University's Lawrenceville campus. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. for each show.

Baby, which enjoyed a successful run on Broadway in the mid-1980s resulting in seven Tony Award nominations, is based on the book by Sybille Pearson. Music and lyrics are by David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr., who also created the musicals Big, Starting Here/Starting Now, Miss Saigon, and Ain't Misbehavin'. Ironically set on a college campus, Baby details the joys and stresses of three couples of varying ages and places in life trying to come to terms with parenthood.

Miriam Mills, adjunct assistant professor of fine arts, will direct a cast of 18 in Rider's production.

"The show is not about babies, but about couples and how relationships are affected by being able or not being able to have a child," said Mills, who has previously directed such productions as Candida, Extremities, Rumors, and The Odd Couple at Rider. "What makes the show unique is that these three couples are very real. The audience will relate to them, understand them, and empathize with them. You can't walk away without caring for the characters.

"It is very funny, but very real, and the music for the show is fabulous," she added. "The production looks easy, but it is deceptively hard -- as difficult as any musical we have ever done at Rider."

Admission is $10 to the general public and $5 for faculty, staff, and students. A special preview performance is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, at 7 p.m., with tickets only available at the door for $4. Advance ticket information and reservations for all regular showings can be obtained by calling (609) 896-5303.

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.