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diversions
Three counts of
'Murder' in the first degree
By Alisha Gomez
On-line Forty-Niner
The violent and
horrific nature of Israeli playwright Hanoch Levin's
"Murder" shocked a small audience with its powerful
script and strong performance by the California Repertory
Company at the Edison Theatre in downtown Long Beach.
The play intertwines three scenes focusing on murder and the
disturbing characteristics of human nature. In Act 1, a young
boy (Rory Cowan) is brutally killed by enemy soldiers (John
Henry Mellies, Mark Staley and Jay Wallace). The young boy's
father (Chris McCool) finds them, but not in time to save
his son. The father, heavily grieved, is left with no comfort
or solace. He comes face to face with the soldiers, but gets
no remorse from them. He is left alone to grieve his son's
death.
The wedding of a young couple (played by Tannis Hanson and
Mellies) sets up Act 2. The bride and groom wander away from
their party to enjoy a moment alone together. This romantic
interlude turns tragic when the grieving father from Act 1
finds blame for his dead son on the unsuspecting couple. He
then takes advantage of the situation, showing the evil side
to human nature.
Act 3 powerfully points out the corrupt capabilities people
have when a prostitute (Callan White) accuses an innocent
man (Craig Flemming) of being involved in a crime. The forceful
performance portrays hate and injustice stunningly.
Levin wrote the script after the tragedy that took place after
the eruption of gunfire killings on the Gaza strip. Careful
not to label the cultures that characters of the drama represented,
Levin delivers a more universal message.
A play that is rather timely in light of the terrorist attacks,
Cal Rep chose this drama last spring as part of its new season.
However, the company felt that it was necessary to address
current events and give the audience and actors a chance to
review the play and the current terrorist tragedies.
A small discussion followed the performance, led by Brian
Kapell, marketing director for Cal Rep, Don Schwartz, Cal
State Long Beach history professor, and Terry Wright, CSULB
political science professor.
Members of the audience and the cast joined together to talk
about what this play represents and how it fits in with current
world events. Topics from what types of generations we are
producing to how people act when their grief is not comforted
were touched upon during the informal chat.
Kapell touched on the disturbing idea that murder is something
we are all capable of. Members of the audience agreed, finding
their own unique interpretations of the play. Kapell also
spun the concept that the drama was a moral dilemma. He asked
the audience what they thought the playwright was trying to
say, to which the audience answered that Levin possibly tried
to show our lack of empathy for others.
Schwartz said that learning from the past is not always applicable
to every new war we face.
"We have to be careful when we try to learn lessons from
the past," Schwartz said. "We have to be careful
not to generalize from wars," he added, referring back
to the notion that all wars are different situations and never
alike.
Schwartz found the play to be less about politics or the science
and history of war, and more about the human condition.
"What is it about us that makes us behave this way?"
Schwartz asked the audience.
The discussion proved to be a much needed outlet for people
to deal with what has happened and the role that the theater
serves for the nation.
Audience members continued with different reactions to the
drama. Many were shocked and distressed by the content, but
found the theme to be an important current subject that is
affecting Americans everywhere.
"Murder" will continue through Nov. 17. For show
times and ticket information, one may call (562) 432-1818.
Theater Review
Who: California
Rep. Company
What: "Murder"
When: Nov. 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15: 7 p.m.
Nov. 9, 10, 16 and 17: 8 p.m.
Nov. 10 and 17: 2 p.m.
Where: Edison Theatre in downtown L.B.
How much: $20 general admission and $17 for students and seniors
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Photo
courtesy of Keith Polakoff
Actors Chris McCool, top, and Rory Cowan in
Act 1 of Hanoch Levin's 'Murder.'
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