BEN COX
Guest Writer
coxbd@plu.edu
Illegal brain surgery was reported to have taken place here at Pacific Lutheran University. According to one witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, the people responsible may or may not have had their conscience and guilt complexes removed through similar surgeries and therefore suffer no remorse over their atrocious crimes.
“The Reactivated Man”, a black comedy written by Curtis Zahn and directed by Sam Collier, is coming to PLU Oct. 9 and 10.
“It will be different than any show you have ever seen before. Guaranteed,” first-year and cast member Dana Brager said.
“The Reactivated Man” is an emotional rollercoaster. Audience members will whip through a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from empathy to revulsion to fear. All the while, students will be sitting on the edge of their seats, unsure of whether they should laugh or cry at the production.
The play includes sweet, tender moments as well as times of betrayal and hurt, not to mention the head stabbing.
Part of what keeps this emotional rollercoaster rolling is how the story is told from various points of view and occasionally breaks the fourth wall. Getting a glimpse inside people’s heads, in more ways than one, adds an intriguing layer rarely seen in live theatre.
While the cast consists of only five people, the characters are larger than life. For instance, two characters can’t seem to agree on lefts and rights while another tends to throw brain surgery tools all over the place.
The sincerity that these characters possess make them relatable, but they by no means remain stagnant. The drastic development and change within some of the characters are some of the forces which drive the plot through its many twists and turns.
However, this show didn’t come about thanks to magic. Blood, sweat and tears that were both intentional and otherwise have gone into the production.
“They have poured so much into it,” sophomore and Assistant Stage Manager Grace Anderson said.
“The chemistry on stage comes from the chemistry off stage,” sophomore and Stage Manager Becca Marsh said. “We went from complete strangers to being best friends.”
The hard work of the cast (Nathan Laudolff, Grant Hillard, Dana Brager, Michelle McGrath and Nicolai Roycroft) and crew/directors (Sam Collier, Becca Marsh, Grace Anderson, and Vince Adams) has paid off. Anderson said that it still “gives [her] chills, like, every time.”
Students can seize the opportunity to witness the shots, the creepy window, the strobe lights, Grant’s smile and the whole operation October 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre.
