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|