Creaking Beams Makes Heavy Drama
War may not be hedonistic, but a good drama certainly is. If that drama – a play, say – chooses World War II, likely the tone of that performance will be somewhat heavy. Further, if it details numerous unsuccessful attempts by Germans to assassinate Adolph Hitler, their political and military leader during the time, it could be down right depressing.
However, The Beams are Creaking at Taproot Theatre Company is oddly … inspiring (your Hedonista attended as media late last month). Although there were dozens of attempts to assassinate Hitler – including attempts by German nationals both within and without the German Army (Wehrmacht Heer) and in the German Military Intelligence Organization (Abwehr) – none of them were successful. This play, set in Berlin, Germany from 1932 to 1945, is based on the true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer – a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and founding member of the Confessing Church, Bonhoeffer was a participant in the German Resistance against Nazism and plotted with those in the Abwehr to assassinate Hitler. Unfortunately, these plans went awry and Bonhoeffer was arrested in April 1943; two years later, he was executed by way of hanging – a mere 23 days before the Nazis’ surrender.
Matt Shimkus as the heroic Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Photograph by Erik Stuhaug, provided by Taproot Theatre Company, and used with permission.
Although tragic, Bonhoeffer’s martyrdom is indeed inspiring; for this play lets you inside his home, life, homes, dreams, values, and morals. It makes you struggle as Bonhoeffer struggled with the conflict of living your beliefs and dying for them; of doing what is right, no matter what the risk or the final cost. Matt Shimkus (The Threepenny Opera, Hamlet) plays a brilliant Bonhoeffer, with a supporting cast that makes you feel that you, too, are a part of this endearing family bound for tragedy.
This play – written by Douglas Anderson and directed by Karen Lund – opened on March 25th, 2011 (with March 23rd and 24th previews) and runs until April 23rd, 2011. (NOTE: Due to near-sold out shows, this play’s run has been extended until April 30th, 2011.) It premiered at Case Western Reserve University in October 1978 and was the winner of both an award and a competition that same year: 1) the Marc A. Klein Playwright Award and 2) the Wichita State National Playwright Competition. This coming Tuesday, April 12th, 2011, Taproot Theatre Company – a Greenwood theatre founded in 1976 by six friends, with five of them Seattle Pacific University graduates – will hold a free panel discussion on the cultural relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This discussion – entitled “Why Bonhoeffer? Why Now?” – requires a reservation as seating is limited. (NOTE: Preferential seating will go to those who hold tickets for any performance of The Beams are Creaking.) Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and this discussion will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The panel speakers include the following: Dr. Kerry Dearborn, Professor of Theological Studies at Seattle Pacific University, Pastor Richard Dahlstrom of Bethany Community Church, Markus von Steinfort of Fuller Theological Seminary, and Matt Shimkus, actor and MFA from Chicago College of Performing Arts, who is currently appearing as Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Taproot Theatre tickets range in price from $20-35, with student, senior, and group rates and discounts available, including $10 tickets for patrons 25 years of age and under.
So consider leaving your comfort zone for awhile and taking a philosophical journey that forces you to ask yourself those difficult questions, dear hedonists.
For war may not be hedonistic, but true heroism certainly is.
Indeed it was a “leaving your comfort zone” production that I had the privilege to attend yesterday for the matinee showing in which a disturbed woman in the audience interrupted the play. She started speaking loudly in spurts, set off (even she confessed) by hearing the name of Jesus (sung). Many of us were shaken by the situation and tremendously impressed by how Matt Shimkus patiently, boldly, and gracefully dealt with a tense scene – both out of and in the character of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.