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 JANUARY
2005
Magic Theatre
Word For Word takes to the classics for its winter show
at Magic Theatre with a double bill of tragic tales revolving
around women. The theater group, which specializes in verbatim
productions of short stories on stage, presents "A Jury
Of Her Peers" by American author Susan Glaspell and "The
Necklace" by macabre French writer Guy de Maupassant.
The show is called Epiphanies.
A Midwestern murder mystery lies at the heart of Glaspell’s
story, which is an early example of feminist literature, A
man dies under questionable circumstances at his farmhouse
in a rural, 1900s-era community. The sheriff and other county
officials arrive to investigate ambiguous clues at the scene.
They suspect the victim’s wife. Local women, including
the sheriff’s wife, conceal a crucial piece of evidence
from the authorities. Through subtle hints implying the couple’s
violent history, the story reveals the women’s reasons
for hiding the crime.
Written in an earlier time, the morose story from de Maupassant
dwells on crushed ambition and the irony of excessive living.
Monsieur and Madame Loisel, a struggling young couple, receive
an invitation to an exclusive affair. Longing for finer things
and a more elevated station in life, Madame Loisel reluctantly
asks a wealthy friend to loan her appropriate jewelry for
the formal event. The Loisels have a wonderful time at the
ball, but the borrowed diamond necklace disappears. This terrible
twist of fate has a lasting influence on the impoverished
pair.
Word For Word has earned a reputation for selecting and staging
provocative, compelling work. Their latest show promises an
evening of innovative theater. For details, refer to January
18 and www.zspace.org.
– Claudia Willen
Image: “The Necklace,” Photo Mark Leialoha
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