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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 2011)
4 The Clackamas Print ArtsrMÊultu Wednesday, Jan. 19, 201,1 SHADOW: Local play recounts Oregon culi Continued from Page 1 In the first scene, we were introduced to siblings Henry and Jane (played by Sam Munger and Reba Sparrow, respectively). Henry is becoming more and more disturbed that his sister is spend ing time with Joshua and tries to convince her to leave. This scene was one where a relationship had to be established from the begin ning, and these two actors did an excellent job. It truly felt like they were siblings and the emotion behind Henry’s pleading made the scene all the more' powerful. The second scene was a mono logue delivered by Joshua (played by Jeff Schwab) as he preaches to his followers. Schwab’s portrayal of Joshua was at first very jarring, as he held nothing back in his delivery. ’s a progression of un veilings of character, of constitution... ** Ryan Davis English instructor Top: Jeff Schwab delivers a prolific monologue as Joshua, a charismatic cult leader empow ered by the control he holds over his follwers in the play “The Shadow Testament.” Bottom Left: Reba Sparrow (center) plays Jane, a character based on real life Corvallis native Ester Mitchell who ended up in an insane asylum. The play is the story of how she came to be there. Bottom Right: Reba Sparrow and Jeff Schwab act out a scene for “The Shadow Testament” in a presentation held for Clackamas students at Roger Rook 220 on Jan. 10. “We see the power that Joshua exudes and the control he holds over these women with his words,” said the play’s director Angie Hughes. “He’s very charismatic and very believable, and that helps draw these women in. He really makes them believe what he is saying and it causes them to do what he wants, or what they want, actually.” The third scene took place just after Joshua was tarred and feath ered by the men of the town. They left him bound to a tree on Kiger’s Island (where he and his followers held most of their meetings). Jane had already left the group, but she still cared for Joshua and returned to free him. As she removes the tar from his body, Joshu her why she left and why] returned now. This scene also demon the power that Joshua has q followers, but specifically] us the relationship between and Jane. From this scene was hard to tell whether h her or just wanted her to sta cult, but it was clear that s feelings for him and didn’t leave him. “One of my biggest qu (was) where am I sinca where am I being manipul said Schwab. “And I thin of the time I’m sincere, I believe these things I’m I I think being sincere is J choice. It’s more interest! more plausible and scarier! For those concerned al nude scene, Ryan Davis,! English instructor and thl technical director, said it] handled tastefully. “It’s a progression of] ings of character, of cons! of faith, of loss of faith, J and disbelief. We have til ferent levels of stripping] down. I’m sure you guys] seen, maybe not in theatel movies, where there was! tuitous nudity that served! but to get tickets sold. T| what we’re doing here. Itl fully done and really in cl and that’s a necessary pied play, while in most mail media it is unnecessary.” I PWNW is part of th! Ground Festival, a coiled new local plays. The even 68 new works and passes! apiece at fertilegrour. d The festival runs from Jal through 30. Although it was short, I sentation of scenes fro! Shadow Testament” id me and made me want] the full show to learn w| takes place. For those in] in seeing the full productiq Shadow Testament” will! formed January 20-22 an at Performance Works Nd 4625 SE 67th Ave. in 9 All shows start at 8 p.m. I $10 per person. The door] 7:30 p.m. and are sold oi come, first-served basis. F| information, call 503-3671 e-mail tickets@portlandw|
