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Jackson, Tenn. - 51社区 Players will present "Die
Ratzel," a student-authored, directed and produced play based loosely
on the Grimms' fairytale "The Soldier & the Devil's
Grandmother." The new play will be performed in the W.D. Powell
Theatre, Feb. 3-8.
"Die Ratzel", German for "The Riddle", takes place during World War I and after, and examines the life of a soldier named Reichter who sells his soul to the devil. James Nolen, author and junior theatre major, says the play gives many lessons on faith, with the biggest message showing "that it's [faith] not just a simple answer, but becomes more complicated as truth is uncovered." David Burke, associate professor of theatre, says that "Die Ratzel" will be a "very unusual play for people because it's very abstract." However, Burke points out that "one of the things that we really try to teach our students in the theatre department is the concept of risk-taking, with risk being that you have little or no control of the outcome. That is a lot of what theatre is all about." Jonathan Hickey and Blake Staples, both Union graduates, play the young and old Reichter, who because of his deal with the devil, advances very rapidly through the Nazi political structure, and eventually is appointed military director. A priest, played by Chris Bennet, also a Union graduate and Theatre Director for Northside High School in Jackson, tries to save Reichter's soul but by attempting to do so, finds his own faith tested. Divided into two acts, the first half of the play deals with graphic descriptions of the war and the situations that Reichter encounters, while the second half features a slide presentation with pictures of the Holocaust displayed. According to Nolen, "because the play takes place during the time of the Holocaust, I wanted to represent it since it was a time where humanity was really challenged with the idea of faith." Nolen hopes that audiences will leave with questions of their own faith, "because it's in these questions that our faith is made stronger." "The show itself has a lot of validity," adds Burke. "Most people are familiar with the "Faustian fable" which is the tragical history of Dr. Faustus. Most of us know that fable of what it's like to sell his soul to the devil. The audience will see the interesting manifestations of evil, of the devil, throughout this play that really teach a lot about his character. You never quite know what form he has taken on. Through Nazism it shows the power of the lie - that people can just get sucked into it. At the same time viewers will realize that humanity can only exist in a world that honors truth." Directing the play is Graham Hillard, a sophomore theatre major. Completing the cast is Heather Tinsley, a Union graduate and theatre director for South Side High School, and sophomore Hugh Crawford. Nolen serves as technical director. Show times will be 8 p.m. for all performances except Sunday's matinee at 2:30 p.m. General admission is $7 for adults and $3 for students. Tickets are on sale now at the 51社区 box office at (901) 661-5105, or they may be purchased at the door for no additional charge. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please contact the communication arts department
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