Meaning of life examined in next BCU play
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, October 26, 2007
Man's struggle to understand the meaning of life and death is examined in the next production of the Briar Cliff University Theatre department.
"Everyman" is a morality play which seeks to answer the important question: "What must a man do to be saved?"
"It's a classic European medieval show which deals with man's struggle to understand and confront the purpose of life, the meaning of death, and the nature of God," said Richard Poole, director of the show.
God (April Zingler) sends Death (Carolyn Lohr) to summon Everyman (Brian Gameros) to make an accounting of his life and prepare for his final journey.
Unfortunately, his false friends, casual companions, relatives and his wealth all desert him, including Strength (Brenda Salcido), Beauty (Clare Ellis), Knowledge (Anastacia Martinez), Fellowship (Parker Sones), Kindred (Justin Johnson), Cousin (Steve Crann), Goods (Nick Schoenfelder), Confession (Nick Wessling), Discretion (Daniel Stump), and Five Wits (Chris Kopel).
An Angel (Erin Reynolds) provides support as Everyman is forced to rely on the only thing he has left, Good Deeds (Sara Arbuckle).
Written in the 15th Century, the play is the story of one man's journey to his final reckoning. Along the way, Everyman tries to convince other characters to accompany him in the hope of improving his final "accounting," but all abandon him, save for the good things he has done in this world, said Poole, professor and chair of Briar Cliff's theatre and speech communication department.
"Everyman hasn't been very charitable in his life," he added. "It isn't until the end that he realizes in order to achieve grace when you leave this world, you can't take anything that you have received; only what you have given."
The play is presented as an allegory, a narrative in which the characters have two levels of meaning, Poole said.
"Each character personifies an abstract idea," he explained of the names given to the actors. "So the students have to examine what these characters represent and how one humanizes them."
As a morality presentation, the play was originally a teaching tool to explain to people living in the 1400s how to deal with life and death.The play shows us not only how every man should meet death but also how every man should live, Poole said.
"The play was developed to illustrate that the greatest gift of all was Christ's sacrifice of himself to save humanity," he said. "It explained to people how to achieve that grace that would enable them to have eternal life."
Costuming the show is Alexis Britson. The set and lights were designed by Sam Shanks. The production will also be BCU's entry in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival.
"Everyman" runs through Saturday with 7:30 p.m. performances and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children and senior citizens. For reserved seats, call the box office, 279-5542, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Everyman" is a morality play which seeks to answer the important question: "What must a man do to be saved?"
"It's a classic European medieval show which deals with man's struggle to understand and confront the purpose of life, the meaning of death, and the nature of God," said Richard Poole, director of the show.
God (April Zingler) sends Death (Carolyn Lohr) to summon Everyman (Brian Gameros) to make an accounting of his life and prepare for his final journey.
Unfortunately, his false friends, casual companions, relatives and his wealth all desert him, including Strength (Brenda Salcido), Beauty (Clare Ellis), Knowledge (Anastacia Martinez), Fellowship (Parker Sones), Kindred (Justin Johnson), Cousin (Steve Crann), Goods (Nick Schoenfelder), Confession (Nick Wessling), Discretion (Daniel Stump), and Five Wits (Chris Kopel).
An Angel (Erin Reynolds) provides support as Everyman is forced to rely on the only thing he has left, Good Deeds (Sara Arbuckle).
Written in the 15th Century, the play is the story of one man's journey to his final reckoning. Along the way, Everyman tries to convince other characters to accompany him in the hope of improving his final "accounting," but all abandon him, save for the good things he has done in this world, said Poole, professor and chair of Briar Cliff's theatre and speech communication department.
"Everyman hasn't been very charitable in his life," he added. "It isn't until the end that he realizes in order to achieve grace when you leave this world, you can't take anything that you have received; only what you have given."
The play is presented as an allegory, a narrative in which the characters have two levels of meaning, Poole said.
"Each character personifies an abstract idea," he explained of the names given to the actors. "So the students have to examine what these characters represent and how one humanizes them."
As a morality presentation, the play was originally a teaching tool to explain to people living in the 1400s how to deal with life and death.The play shows us not only how every man should meet death but also how every man should live, Poole said.
"The play was developed to illustrate that the greatest gift of all was Christ's sacrifice of himself to save humanity," he said. "It explained to people how to achieve that grace that would enable them to have eternal life."
Costuming the show is Alexis Britson. The set and lights were designed by Sam Shanks. The production will also be BCU's entry in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival.
"Everyman" runs through Saturday with 7:30 p.m. performances and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children and senior citizens. For reserved seats, call the box office, 279-5542, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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