Approaching Simone

a post-modern punkfunkbluesshowmechanicalchantcharelstonjazzmusical
celebration of simone weil's spiritual journey

by Megan Terry

May 1996

directed by Steven Kent

scenic and lighting design by Mark Pietrzak
costume design by Maria Wortham
original music by Dr. Reed Gratz

CAST

Alice Gasparian.............................................................................................................Simone (the worker), Claire
Lisa R. Manley.................................................................................................Simone (the philosopher), student
Nichole Mhoon...........................................................................................................Simone (the activist), student
Nicole Isaacson-Hill......................................................................................................Simone (the child), student
Margo Fiorito......................................................................................................................................Simone's mother
S. Baker Eatmon........................................Simone's father, Albert, preacher, soldier, general, board member
Erik Johnson....................................Jean-Paul, Father, squadron leader, military captain, board member
Isela Griffith...................................................Simone Two, visitor, Jesus Lady, board member, camp cook
Michael Martin............................Simone's brother, major, factory organizer, Alain (understudy), Spanish priest, ....................................................................................................................................................police, board member
Stacey Williams.......................................................................................................................................Carolina, student
Chris Robertson.........................................................Pierre, board member, soldier, police, Spanish Priest
Ray Garza.................................................................................................................................visiting presence, Alain


TECHNICAL CREDITS

stage manager....................................................................................................................Chris Robertson & Margo Fiorito
technical director..........................................................................................................................................Mark Pietrzak
assistant directors..................................................................................Margo Fiorito, Isela Griffith, & Stacey Willams
assistant to the technical director..................................................................................................Jennifer Rodriguez
light board operator.....................................................................................................................................Jennifer Rodriguez
sound board operator..................................................................................................................................Jamie Alarcon
follow spot operators............................................................................................Joe Gasparian & Wendy Rockenbaugh
projectionist.....................................................................................................................................................George Garcia
alternate follow spot operators...................................................................................Andrew Alekel & Julie McDougall

CREW

Chris Robertson, Jamie Alarcon, Nicole Isaacson-Hill, Robert Northrup, Joe Gasparian, Andrea Gould, Wendy Rockenbaugh, Tony Tong. Latonya Shepard, Amber Prince, Laura Ambriz, Alice, Gasparian, Isela Griffith, Margo Fiorito, Stacey Williams, Scott Thomas


entr'acte '96

the publication of this program was created by Leo Chan, Zoe Chamberlain, & Victoria Neas
Photos: Leo Chan
Advisor: Mark Pietrzak
.

simone weil by zoe chamberlain

Simone Weil, a french, jewish woman of inordinate intelligence and boldness of spirit, wanted to be an active, responsible citizen of her country. In Greek civilization she saw a human balance between the vital and the serious, between good and freedom. It involved everything Weil desired to be. Within the limitations of the patriarchal society of her time and place, she dedicated her life to work, as she saw this as the only constant f actor in the world.

Megan Terry, playwright of Viet-Rock, rejoices in Weil's power, and heralds her as the 'balance of christ' for women and people everywhere to admire and aspire to: "We've been living in a homosexual society: a whole half of the human race is not represented."(Terry)

Weil's spiritual solution was to break from and deny the "unreal" world before
her in her continual search for truth. "Only make the effort of attention, and everyone can know truth." (Weil)

The triumph may be dead,. but the legend lives on.


notes from the director

Megan Terry told me years ago that she wrote Approaching Simone to help bring awareness
to Americans of this remarkable philosopher, mystic, and peace activist. Sharing Megan's mission, I have wanted to direct the piece for a long time. I chose the piece to work on here at La Verne for several other reasons- it has a large cast, it has female protagonist, it employs a wide variety of theatrical conventions and styles. I also felt that the themes of personal struggle, spiritual journey, and of a deeply felt political commitment and engagement would be uniquely stimulating to college students and audiences in this current political climate. .

It seems appropriate to use Postmodernism - an aesthetic approach characterized by duplicity, irony, radical juxtaposition, mixed elements, irreverence, distorted chronology, awkwardness, and humor-because all of these elements abound in Megan Terry' s iconoclastic and fresh theatrical writing.

Though Approaching Simone is an award winning work, it is seldom produced because of the range of resources and energy it requires. The Department of Theater Arts at ULV has been incredibly supportive to me in this project and I am deeply grateful for their courage and inspiration.

All of us will feel we have done our work if people are stimulated to want to" approach" this difficult, remarkable, and inspirational twentieth century woman.

Steven Kent


special thanks from the director

Anthony Hopkins and Darnell Cowan for movement and inspiration for the gospel scene and for "Oh Lord, I Want You to Help Me"

Isa Meksin and Ted Runyon for their helpful discussions on the political issues of the times.

Deena Metzger for understandings and friendship.

Bev Rupel and Bob Mathieson for their help and support.