PlayMakers Repertory Company at UNC opens its 2008-09 mainstage season with William Shakespeare's "Pericles," an adventure that spans oceans and generations and features princesses, pirates, assassins, shipwrecks and exotic locales.

PlayMakers will present the play through Oct. 12 in the Paul Green Theatre at the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road.

"'Pericles' is all about man's place in an unpredictable universe, here terrible things happen, beautiful things happen, and how little control we have over either eventuality," said PlayMakers producing artistic director Joseph Haj, who will direct the production. "One of Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime, its themes of loss, redemption and reconciliation resonate as strongly now as they did then."

The production will feature original music and songs by Jack Herrick of the Red Clay Ramblers. Herrick will perform live music during the performances. He has created music for theater and film projects including Sam Shepard's "A Lie of the Mind" and Doug Marlette's musical "Kudzu." Herrick played a major role in winning a 1999 Special Tony Award for a Live Theatrical Presentation. The award went to "Fool Moon," a Broadway hit with music by the Red Clay Ramblers, of which Herrick has been a member for more than 30 years.