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Death and the Maiden by Stone Soup Theatre Company 
The newly established Stone Soup Theatre Company made its debut with a challenging, deeply intense drama. Very risky. But thanks to some exceptionally strong performances, the risk paid off with the young theatre group gaining instant respect.
Although the exact setting of the play is left unsaid, it is assumed to be Chile soon after the downfall of Pinochet's ruthless dictatorship. The entire story takes place at the home of Gerardo and Paulina Escobar. Gerardo has just been appointed by the new president to lead a commission that will investigate crimes committed during the former dictator's rule. Paulina was one of the victims. While a student activist, single at the time (but involved with Gerardo), she was kidnapped, tortured, and raped repeatedly. A man that her other captors referred to as "The Doctor" was the one who raped her while conducting experiments of torture including electric shock. Though blindfolded throughout the ordeal, his voice and mannerisms became embedded in her memory. As did his favorite music, Schubert's Death and the Maiden, which he played over and over again. Understandably, Paulina's sanity has been fragile ever since. When her husband invites a stranger to stay the night, a man who had just given him a ride home, she believes she recognizes the stranger's voice as that of "The Doctor." Gerardo wakes to find that his wife has tied his Good Samaritan to a chair and is holding a gun to his head. Is she crazy, or is he really "The Doctor"? Either way, what do they do with him now? Amy Peters does a brilliant job of teetering on the edge of insanity. One moment she's the calmest of the three, thinking clearly and cracking dry jokes. The next moment she's in a bitter, murderous, tearful rage. As her husband, Farhang Pernoon is at his best when in a state of confused disbelief at waking to this shocking predicament. And the genuine fear and desperation of the accused doctor, Patrick J. Duffy, is palpable as he masterfully keeps his captors and the audience uncertain of his guilt or innocence. In a nice touch, never letting up on the tension for a moment, Patrick stays on stage tied in the chair throughout the fifteen-minute intermission. Performing in the intimate space of the La Jolla Stage Company, Director Raimondo Genna's production is brutally upfront and completely compelling after the first, somewhat awkward scene before Paulina ties up their "guest." Stone Soup founders Caprice Woosley and Rebecca Johannsen appear to have found themselves a bright beginning in this dark play. Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~
Paulina Escobar: Amy Peters Gerardo Escobar: Farhang Pernoon Roberto Miranda: Patrick J. Duffy Director: Raimondo Genna Set and Costume Design: Tina MagDalene Goff Lighting Design: Travis C. Richardson Sound Design: Spencer C. Hill Stage Manager: Lindsay Byrne |
