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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University Theatre will kick off its 2005-06 season with "The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy)" by famed Czech playwrights Josef and Karel Capek. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10-12 and Nov. 17-19 at the Withycombe Hall Main Theatre on the OSU campus.

Written and first performed in the 1920s, the play offers a whimsical and touching exploration of the human experience as reflected in the world of insects. It is one of the pair's best known and most popular collaborations, hailed by critics around the world.

"One of the great lessons of the play, in all its comic glory, is the absolute fleetingness of life," said Marion O. Rossi, director of OSU's University Theatre program. "Death is not only the end of life but part of life."

The prologue introduces a vagrant (Jeremy Hoffman) with a philosophical bent and a desire to escape the city and humanity by wandering in the forest. After chatting with a professor in search of butterfly specimens, the itinerant philosopher falls asleep. In the waking reality of his dreams, he observes the lives of insects whose struggles parallel those of humankind. The butterflies, for example, engage in ceaseless rituals of courtship, love, and mating. Beetles hoard their possessions, live selfishly, and steal from each other. Black and yellow ants wage the "battle of peace by waging war," with both sides claiming the right to travel a certain path between two blades of grass.

The vagrant learns about the meaning of life, death and love from these creatures and their struggles. In that respect he is like the chrysalis - a key character in the script, who anxiously is awaiting birth throughout the play.

Thirty OSU students, many performing multiple roles, appear in the play. Another dozen students work behind the scenes as crew members, assistant directors, and stage managers.

University Theatre faculty member Cathia Pagotto has designed more than 50 costumes for the production. George Caldwell is scenic and lighting designer, and Rossi directs.

The Nov. 18 performance is sign language interpreted.

Tickets are $9 general, $6 senior, and $5 student. Season ticket packages offering substantial savings for the year are also available. Reservations for "The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy)" can be made beginning Monday, Nov. 7, by calling the box office at 541-737-2784.

For additional information, call the University Theatre at 541-737-2853 or visit oregonstate.edu/dept/theatre.