We watched this play on a cold, dreary, snowing night.. and were just glad to be off the icy streets once we were inside the theater (Playhouse at the Park) - but the amazing story that began to unfold on stage along with the haunting background score were something we just weren't expecting!
The play is about a writer (Edward Blythebury, played by Erik Lochtefeld) in the 1650's who escapes oppressive England with his young daughter to the unknown territories of the New World in search of artistic freedom. While in America, he tries to write a story that would encompass his ultimate passions: freedom of thought, freedom to express one's religious disbeliefs, use of words and art to highlight the unlimited scope of human imagination, that cannot be reigned in by threat of banishment or might of sword. Edward faces suspicion from a greedy neighbor (Josiah Podge, played by Greg Thornton), who threatens to expose him. Lochtefeld's and Thornton's potrayals of these two dissimilar men, are the highlights of the play.
The play constantly switches between the 1650's and present day.. when two Yale literature grad students (Emma and Matthew) arrive in Virginia to research the writer's life, and perhaps uncover his last writings. Are they able to find the indelible voice of a rebel, an artist, or do they go home emply-handed? The powerful artwork that's projected on to the back wall, the emotive music, not to mention the eloquent dialogue and strong performances from the actors kept us (the audience) in an emotional hold throughout the play.
More than its potrayal of a persecuted writer in search of intellectual freedom, I think the play says a lot about how fleeting life is. It is a tragedy that many people's lives and legacies, are of no real consequence beyond a short time. To end on a less morose note... the play also celebrates the longevity of ideas, words, art, music.. and speaks to anyone who looks at the past for inspiration and re-invention.
The play is about a writer (Edward Blythebury, played by Erik Lochtefeld) in the 1650's who escapes oppressive England with his young daughter to the unknown territories of the New World in search of artistic freedom. While in America, he tries to write a story that would encompass his ultimate passions: freedom of thought, freedom to express one's religious disbeliefs, use of words and art to highlight the unlimited scope of human imagination, that cannot be reigned in by threat of banishment or might of sword. Edward faces suspicion from a greedy neighbor (Josiah Podge, played by Greg Thornton), who threatens to expose him. Lochtefeld's and Thornton's potrayals of these two dissimilar men, are the highlights of the play.
The play constantly switches between the 1650's and present day.. when two Yale literature grad students (Emma and Matthew) arrive in Virginia to research the writer's life, and perhaps uncover his last writings. Are they able to find the indelible voice of a rebel, an artist, or do they go home emply-handed? The powerful artwork that's projected on to the back wall, the emotive music, not to mention the eloquent dialogue and strong performances from the actors kept us (the audience) in an emotional hold throughout the play.
More than its potrayal of a persecuted writer in search of intellectual freedom, I think the play says a lot about how fleeting life is. It is a tragedy that many people's lives and legacies, are of no real consequence beyond a short time. To end on a less morose note... the play also celebrates the longevity of ideas, words, art, music.. and speaks to anyone who looks at the past for inspiration and re-invention.
It's playing at "Playhouse at the Park" till February 20th.
