Caitlin White
Staff Writer
Genocide — most would think it could never happen in the United States, as Americans are not forced to wake up each morning to the deaths of loved ones. But, some are. The question is, “What is there to do about it?” Michael Redhill’s play, “Goodness,” challenges audiences to address this issue.
A layered piece, the story is told through the eyes of only six actors who mostly appear in flashbacks. Senior Drew Allen plays Michael Redhill, the playwright/narrator who, throughout the course of the play, writes the story of a woman named Althea, played by sophomore Mishy Turner. Her entire family was murdered in a genocide, and she was the prison guard for the mastermind behind this atrocity, Mithias Todd, played by senior Jordan Jarvis.
“This play is one of the most moving pieces of theater I have ever seen,” Allen said. “It gets you thinking and asks a lot of questions about the gray areas of life, like what is good and what is evil?”
Professor and chairperson for Pepperdine’s Fine Arts division, Cathy Thomas-Grant, is directing the show.
“When I saw ‘Goodness’ for the first time, I immediately left the performance and bought another ticket,” Thomas-Grant said. “What is it about this particular play? Many of us who attended the performances still talk about it to this day. It affected each of us differently, but somehow changed us, changed our perception of ourselves and how we saw the world around us.”
Another unique facet of this work is that, although it is not a musical, it features over 15 songs, most of which are sung in different languages.
“The music is just as important to this play as the text,” Thomas-Grant said. “All the songs used in ‘Goodness’ are from regions in the world where ethnic tensions have been a reality for at least 25 years, Thomas-Grant said.
“The songs are taken from all over the world — Croatia, Macedonia, Zimbabwe,” Allen said, “When actors are offstage, they help sing these songs, which really heighten the emotion. The diversity of music demonstrates the connectedness of human nature.”
Jarvis said he thinks Pepperdine students will be very interested in the show because of all the organizations on campus that deal with similar issues.
“I think there is such an awareness on campus in organizations, such as Invisible Children, about what is really happening out in the world, and this play focuses in on that,” Jarvis said. “It paints a picture of history, of what has happened and the aftermath in these characters lives. I hope it does well at Pepperdine, because it is such an intense and powerful message.”
Junior Ashley Allen who plays the role of Julia, Mithias Todd’s daughter, said she thinks the show is something that Pepperdine has never seen before.
“It is really intense and deals with real issues that are happening our world,” Ashley said. “It’s not just in the past, it’s right now, in places like Rwanada, and people need to see that. The writing is what makes this show so amazing. Redhill is so clear and concise.”
Along with the accolades of our own Pepperdine performers, in 2006 this play was awarded the Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation’s Best of Edinburgh Award, which is the highest honor at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“I actually first saw this show the summer after my freshman year at Pepperdine,” Drew said. “It had a very deep effect on me, and I only hope that it can do the same for our audiences here. It is very rare to have a piece of theatre that leaves you profoundly moved, and this show does that.”
Jarvis said that, despite the small venue in which the show will be held, he has high hopes for it.
“Sometimes Lindhurst shows get overlooked, but I’m really hoping it will do well, because it is so eye-opening. Plus, it is just so well written. I’ve read and been involved with tons of plays, and this is one of my favorite pieces.”
The play will open in Pepperdine’s Lindhurst Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and run through Saturday, Oct. 11. On closing night, there will be a matinee showing at 2 p.m., as well as the 7:30 p.m. show. There will also be a special forum for discussion after the showing of the play on Wednesday.
Tickets for the show can either be purchased at the Center for the Arts box office which is open noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, two hours before a show or online through Ticketmaster. For more information, call the box office at (310) 506-4522.
10-02-2008