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Oct. 21, 2004
Theatrical delights
by ELLIN BELTZ
THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS ARE FULL
OF THEATRICAL delights in Humboldt.
Hit and Run Theatre Company is described by current director Alexandra Gellner
as, "a bunch of teens running a whole production company
and putting on a show." And what a show they've picked for
the opening of the 2004-2005 season: Recent Tragic Events
by Craig Wright, a play set on Sept. 12, 2001, the day after
the World Trade Center Towers collapsed in New York City. The
play is set in the apartment of a Minneapolis woman who was set
up on a blind date. Understandably, the woman is more worried
about her sister, who may have been in the towers, than her date.
"It's not a political farce,"
said Gellner, "instead the five cast members reveal the
places where our personal decisions and destinies collide."
The play has been described
as a look at the events of that historic day as a culmination
of thousands of separate tiny events, each of which could lead
an individual to live or die any day, reminding the players and
the audience of the universal game of chance, which is life itself.
Theatergoers are advised that
the first act is sometimes considered amorphous and confusing
-- introducing the various threads and characters, but that the
second act delivers what one reviewer of the off-Broadway New
York opening called "a poignant treatise on free will."
The Hit and Run show is hosted
by the North Coast Repertory Theatre, 300 Fifth Street, Eureka
on Friday, Oct. 22 and 29, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, at 2
p.m. and 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m.
Said Gellner, "Keeping
Hit and Run going after our founder, Fiona Zublin, went to college
was important to me because theater is my passion and I wanted
to become more involved," then shyly added, "All we
need is an audience."
For reservations call NCRT at
442-NCRT, or visit its Web site: www.ncrt.net.
Last seen at the Ferndale
Repertory Theatre as John Adams, Gary Anderson [photo below]
brings another one-man show, Clarence Darrow: The Legend,
The Man to the Rep for one weekend only: Friday, Oct. 29,
at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Described as America's most
famous trial attorney, Darrow (1857-1938) once said, "You
can only be free if I am free," and went on to prove it
by losing none of his 102 death penalty defenses. Even so, he
is more famous for the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial in Tennessee
in 1925.
Twenty-first century Americans
owe a lot to this fiery attorney. Darrow was involved in gaining
the 8-hour working day and worked toward the first child labor
laws. He championed organized labor, the rights of minorities
and defenseless defendants.
In 1894, Darrow wrote, "Conspiracy
laws, from the days of tyranny in England down to today, when
those in power use it as a club, has been the favorite weapon
of every tyrant. It is an effort to punish the crime of thought.
If there are still any citizens interested in protecting human
liberty, let them study the conspiracy laws of the United States,
which have grown until today no one's liberty is safe!"
In light of the current political
situation, including restriction of personal freedoms in exchange
for a promise of security, Darrow's arguments are timely and
appropriate.
In this piece, Anderson recounts
Darrow's most famous trials and his opinions on law, life and
politics. A lifetime of experience apparently inspired Darrow's
famous remark on U.S. national elections, "When I was a
boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning
to believe it."
Call the Ferndale Rep box office
for ticket information and reservations, 786-LIVE, or visit them
online at www.ferndale-rep.org.
Redwood Curtain Theatre finishes up its 2004 Season with Don Juan in
Chicago by David Ives running from Oct. 28 through Nov. 20.
Directed by Bernadette Cheyne, this hilarious romp through the
sexual mores of modern America recounts the history of an immortal,
immoral man and his one true love who long ago made independent
pacts with the Devil and lives on with the consequences. Redwood
Curtain is at 800 West Harris Street on the Henderson Street
side of the Eureka Mall. Call 443-7688 or visit www.redwoodcurtain.com
for information and reservations.
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