Gilbert Explores the Dark Side
of Life in Newest offering
by ERINN CRIDER
The difference between
entertainment and art is
that art strives to teach us
something about human
nature. This statement holds
true across all mediums of
self-expression, though art
and entertainment are not
mutually exclusive.
Art may still be
entertaining and
entertainment may still be
emotionally touching or
jarring; but a work is only
truly art when it illuminates
a truth about humanity. The
play The Effect of Gamma
Rays on The Man-In-theMoon Marigolds is art. It
is on stage at the Gilbert
Theater from April 4-21.
The play was written
in 1964 by Paul Zindel.
Zindel, a science teacher,
received the Pulitzer prize
have been affected by alcoholism in
in 1971 for the play. The story,
some way, be it a family member or
set in the ���60s, centers around the
relative, and in this story we see the
dysfunctional Hunsdorfer family.
affects of truly hopeless alcoholism,
Matilda ���Tillie��� is the protagonist
abuse and cruelty on children. We
of the story and the youngest of the
see that some can rise above it and
family. Throughout the story she
some can���t,��� she said.
struggles against the darkness in
The antagonist is often an underher life and serves as a symbol of an
rated character. Without the evils in
individual who can rise above their
the world there could be no good,
circumstances.
the same principle holds true within
Ruth is the oldest sister, and
this play. Without Beatrice, Tillies
unlike Tillie she cannot defy her
amazing story of perseverance would
controlling and abusive mother.
not be as powerful as it is. Learner
Beatrice is the main antagonist of
expresses this sentiment in her
the story, and the mother of the
excitement to portray the character.
family. She is a single mother who
Learner says, ���I (Beatrice) can
is overwhelmed with the abuse and
help to tell her story and bring
destruction she rains upon both
humanity to Beatrice so that the
herself and those around her.
audience can relate to a poor,
It is obvious that the story is a
struggling woman in a time period
dark one, but it is often by exploring
where divorce is unheard of. I can
the darkness in ourselves that
speak to the audience and help them
the beauty and strength we hold
to identify with the pain of being
internally is revealed.
lonely. I live through them and this
Amanda Brooks Learner, who
is an opportunity to journey into
plays Beatrice in the show, says that
myself and explore the darkness
the play ���is a compelling story. It
within myself. The darkness scares
is suspenseful, and the audience
me, but through it I am able to
should expect to be taken on a
support the light.���
trip. It is full of painful, beautiful
The Gilbert Theater is located at
and painfully beautiful moments.
116 Green St. For more information
There are horrible moments and
or to order tickets, contact the
the story will force the audience to
theatre at 678ask questions such as ���what is the
7186 or at www.
meaning of life and how can we take
gilberttheatre.com
this circumstance and find hope?���
���Throughout the play, the
ERINN CRIDER, Contributing
audience sees true cruelty and the Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@
affects of alcoholism. Most people upandcomingweekly.com
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
MARCH 27 - APRIL 2, 2013
UCW
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