Published: 10.31.2008
'Muertos' at Beowulf
New play, set in Mexico, about battle between church and state
By Kathleen Allen
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
It all started with St. Francis. "I had written a short story about the lifting of St. Francis' head by pilgrims," said playwright Gavin Kayner. "The idea is, if you can lift his head, you are right with God. I thought that was a powerful idea, and I filed it away."
Years later, he revived the idea and it became the inspiration for his play "Noche de los Muertos," which will premiere at Beowulf Alley Theatre. Performances start with a preview tonight.
The St. Francis story turned out to be a small part of the play, which tells a powerful story about the battle between church and state.
"The underlying premise is, who will determine our fate, the church or the state?" says Kayner, a retired teacher from Amphitheater Public Schools.
It takes place in 1927 in the village of Magdalena, just south of Nogales. There, the Catholic Church has a strong hold on the people's hearts, souls and education. A young, idealistic schoolteacher comes to town. The government has tapped her to take the school away from the church and to teach the students.
The play is heavy with conflicts that are spiritual, physical, sexual and internal. Written in English, it's also a tight, suspenseful story with a healthy dose of drama and action.
Kayner did extensive research on Mexico's history for the play and even based his schoolteacher on a historical figure.
He started the play in 2004 and ended up rewriting it completely three times.
"I think it's very, very close to being what I want it to be," said Kayner.
The script was strong enough to persuade director Sheldon Metz to break a promise to his wife that he wouldn't direct a play until the spring.
Metz has worked as a director for 47 years. He just moved to Tucson from Los Angeles and was unpacking when Beowulf Alley called and asked him to consider directing "Noche."
He read it and knew that promise had to be put aside.
"The play has power and emotion," said Metz. "I felt it was a powerful, important piece."
Once his wife attended a reading of it, she agreed, and Metz came onboard.
Guilt and innocence both drip over the script. But it never becomes didactic, nor does it point fingers.
Metz liked that.
"There is more than one side to every story. I want to leave the audience with the decision of who's right and wrong.
"When you see the play, you can forge your own conclusion as to who is guilty."
Metz, who has directed nearly 100 plays, says that "Noche" fits with his concept of what theater should be.
"Theater is meant to make people think," he said.
"When the audience leaves, I want them to discuss the play. I want them to linger over a piece of pie and talk about the play for another hour.
"The show is full of opportunities for the audience to think. I think it's a powerful, powerful play."
Preview
• "Noche de los Muertos"
• By: Gavin Kayner.
• Director: Sheldon Metz.
• When: Preview is 7:30 p.m. today; regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 16.
• Where: Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 S. Sixth Ave.
• Tickets: $20, with discounts available online.
• Reservations/information: www. beowulfalley.org or 882-0555.
• Cast: Anthony Auriemma, Caroline Latron, Sydney and Vince Flynn, Jordana Franco, Tenoch Gomez, Alex Greengaard, Janet Henderson, Rene Lopez, Esteban Oropeza and Angelica Rodenbeck.
• Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes, with one intermission.
● Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at kallen@azstarnet.com or 573-4128.
