'Noche de los Muertos' comes alive
World premiere production tells story of 1927 Magdalena church-vs.-state revolution in Mexico.
CHUCK GRAHAM
Published: 10.30.2008
Can lightning strike twice in the same place? Tucson playwright Gavin Kayner hopes it can.
He returns to Beowulf Alley Theatre with a new play, "Noche de los Muertos," set in Magdalena, Mexico, in 1927.
The backdrop of the story is based on historical fact during a controversial time when the Mexican government wanted to undermine the influence of the church over the people. It is performed in English.
Just last year, the industrious Kayner pulled off one of the most rare feats in show business. He rented the Beowulf Alley Theatre and paid the production costs to present another of his plays, the philosophical "Thumbs." Even though the subject matter was complex and the dialogue somewhat elevated, audiences lined up at the box office.
The unknown playwright with his unknown play had become a local hit.
"Surprisingly enough, we made money," Kayner says modestly with a chuckle.
So when Beowulf Alley put out the call for new plays earlier this year, the enterprising artist stepped up with "Noche de los Muertos."
"It had won some earlier awards for writing, but this will be the first full production," Kayner says.
In August, Kayner says, several workshop performances of "Noche" helped in fine-tuning some of the nuances.
"And there was affirmation from the audience, as well," he adds with a smile.
Now the world premiere of "Noche de los Muertos" opens Saturday, the day before Día de los Muertos.
"They gave me the play to read and I loved it," says Sheldon Metz, a new face in town. "It's timely and important. This is a play that needs to be seen.
"It's about the conflict between church and state, an issue that has been very important in the last two elections for president in our country. But the play doesn't try to point fingers at anyone. There are antagonists and protagonists on both sides."
Metz, with a résumé that includes many years of quality theater experience in southern California, moved to Tucson in June. Then he was drawn to Beowulf Alley's open format for actors, directors and playwrights. After signing up to direct "Proof" at the downtown theater in the spring of 2009, Metz couldn't resist directing "Noche" as well.
"The characters are so real," Metz continues. "And this is definitely a director's play. Gavin gives you everything. All the lines are on the page. The emotions as well as the words. Everything is there.
"So it is up to me, the director, to get the actors to provide the best phrasing, the right shading."
This being a world premiere, both the director and the cast have an opportunity to create completely new characters out of their imaginations. There is no earlier production precedent for Metz to either follow or reject. His empty stage becomes a plain sheet of paper to fill with his own designs.
"My part is over," Kayner says. "I don't think I want to attend any rehearsals. I do have my own vision of the play, my own image of what it should look like.
"But theater is so invigorating because it is such a group effort, with input from so many people."
Metz plans to share that invigoration, as well. He talks about the process he likes to use in developing each actor's performance.
"I work on individual roles with each of them, sharing ideas, collaborating, helping find specific moments in the play that open up the emotions of their characters," he explains.
"Although there is a lot of Mexican culture in the play, most of it is inferred," the director explains. "All these characters are very accessible. The audience will identify with each of them."
Kayner remembers "Noche de los Muertos" was originally one of his short stories. It was inspired by the frequent trips he and his wife make to Mexico. In the town of Magdalena there is an annual pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Francis Xavier. The saint's statue rests in a reclining position. At the shrine, the pilgrims believe they must try to lift the head of the statue of St. Francis.
Those who aren't deemed worthy of God won't be able to lift the saint's head.
"That had powerful psychological implications to me personally," says Kayner. "I wouldn't want to try it. What if it turned out I couldn't lift it?"
But the play is not about the ritual. The play is about what happened in Magdalena in 1927 when Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles tried to make all the Catholic schools secular ones. Government officials were killed. Priests were killed. Violence erupted between the people and the army. Revolution was in the air.
"In the play, it says over 2 million people died in these waves of revolution," Kayner says.
The play is set in motion when a government-appointed schoolteacher, Catalina, arrives in Magdalena to replace the local priest in educating the village children.
Catalina is accompanied by Renaldo, a government official, Tomas, a veteran member of the revolutionary forces, and Irma, a jaded soldier who would rather be living in the United States. When the priest refuses to co-operate with Renaldo, there is a murder before intermission.
"But the play isn't a whodunit," cautions Kayner. "It is more of a who's-gonna-pay-for-it."
additional information
IF YOU GO
What: Beowulf Alley Theatre presents "Noche de los Muertos" by Gavin Kayner
When: 7:30 p.m. preview Friday, opening at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, continuing at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 16
Where: Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 S. Sixth Ave.
Price: $20 general admission, discount prices online only
Info: 882-0555, http://www.beowulfalley.org/
