Lakeside Little Theatre’s current production, “Death and the Maiden,” is not an enchanting, feel-good play, but one that gives a glimpse of the reality many throughout the world suffer under the hands of a cruel police state.
Playwright Ariel Dorfman returned to Chile after a long exile finding his countrymen and the government struggling to recover from the horrors of a 16-year dictatorial regime. Even though a new government was now in power, ghosts of past atrocities and corruption still permeated throughout society. Dorfman felt compelled to tell the story of how the victims of torture and interrogations tried to regain normalcy in a world where both they and supporters of the old regime were now living side-by-side.
Warning: This production contains a loud gun shot, graphic descriptions of rape, torture and explicit language that some audience members may find uncomfortable.
While “Death and the Maiden” debuted in London in 1991 and takes place in a South American country, the issues addressed are currently experienced in many countries and by their citizens today. Hopefully, this thought-provoking play will sensitize us to the plight of the common people who are oppressed by the dictates of totalitarian governments.
There are three members of this cast. Paulina Salas was imprisoned and tortured during the previous regime. All the time during her rapes and tortures she was blindfolded and never saw her tormentor, but kept focused throughout by concentrating on the sound of his voice. She is consumed with thoughts of revenge should she ever encounter the man that caused her so much physical and psychological trauma.
Gerardo Escobar, Paulina’s husband, is a lawyer and has recently been appointed to an official commission to investigated the atrocities that took place under the previous regime. It is his responsibility to bring the accused before authorities for trial. His government position causes some ethical dilemmas between himself and his wife, and gives rise to some very profound questions of justice and forgiveness.
Roberto Miranda is a Good Samaritan who drives Gerardo home after he had some car trouble. Upon hearing his voice Paulina is convinced that he was her sadistic tormentor and rapist, who played the “Death and the Maiden” string quartet by Schubert while she was being tortured.
LB Hamilton makes her directing debut at LLT. She has a wide variety of theater experiences, including acting, directing and drama coaching. She is also a published playwright and has worked in film and television. She holds a Behavioral Science/Psychology and MFA in Theatre Arts.
Collette Clavadetscher is also making her debut as assistant director for this show. She has appeared in 11 LLT productions and has acted in and directed several Naked Stage readings.
Jacinta Stringer (Paulina) hails from London, England, where she studied drama and also performed. She has a Masters degree in playwriting from Birmingham University. This is Stringer’s second time performing on the LLT stage and she has also performed with the Bravo Theatre.
Russell Mack (Gerardo) has been involved with LLT for many years, appearing in more than 11 plays. He has previously directed at LLT, acted and directed in shows for the Naked Stage and has appeared in local theater in Colorado.
Paul Kloegman (Roberto) is originally from England and came to LLT via Canada. He has appeared on stage in England, Canada and Spain and in two past productions for LLT. Kloegman received his theatrical training at Runcorn Academy of Dramatic Arts in Cheshire, England.
Carolyn Cothran is the stage manager and Bruce Linnen is the assistant stage manager. Fotin LaGuardia is production assistant. L.B. Hamilton is responsible for the stage design and decoration. Rosanna Balbontin worked tirelessly to ensure that all props were where they should be.
Numerous construction workers and painters brought the play to life, as well as wardrobe people, dressers and make-up artists. Kevin Leitch and Alan Bowers managed the lighting and Hallie Shepherd the sound.
Following the Saturday, January 14 matinee at 5:30 p.m., Kelly Hayes-Raitt will lead a panel discussion which will further explore the play’s provocative questions. Hayes-Raitt, a freelance journalist and NPR reporter, has firsthand experience witnessing the impact war has on civilian populations. Her work has taken her throughout the Middle East into refugee camps and restricted areas barred to mainstream reporters.
Persons wishing to attend the panel discussion do not have to be matinee ticket holders. They are asked to arrive at LLT no earlier than 5:15 p.m. in order to be seated.
“Death and the Maiden” runs from Friday, January 13 to Sunday, January 22. Evening show times are 7:30 p.m. and matinees are on the first Saturday and both Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are 200 pesos and can be purchased at the box office one hour before show time or from 10 a.m. to noon all show days except Sundays. You can also reserve your tickets online at lakesidelittletheater.com.