Gordon in the News: last updated 11/07/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Hopkins
Office of College Communications
978.867.4569
WENHAM, MA-Under the direction of Norman Jones, the Gordon College Theatre Department presents The Caucasian Chalk Circle-an epic play by Bertolt Brecht that poses tough questions about love and choice while retelling the biblical tale of Solomon and a child claimed by two mothers. Show dates are November 9-10 and 13-17, 2007. All performances will take place in the Margaret Jensen Theatre, within the Barrington Center for the Arts at Gordon.
The production begins with a prologue set in the Caucasus Mountains of the Soviet Union, soon after World War II. The residents of a war-devastated valley must decide how their land is to be rebuilt. To help them explore their decision, they perform an ancient play called "The Legend of the Chalk Circle."
The play-within-a-play is a parable with the primary character, Grusha, having to make a hard decision whether or not to save a child from death-she is not related to this child and saving it threatens her own life. The play takes her on a painful journey, reminding the viewer that love requires sacrifice. "This story forces all of us to consider what love asks of us as individuals," says Director, Norman Jones. "It also emphasizes the human ability to choose and make difficult decisions."
With 70 roles and 17 actors, The Caucasian Chalk Circle has been a great challenge for both the director and the actors involved. "When you have individual actors playing more than one role, versatility becomes essential," says Jones. "I think giving distinction to the various characters has been the greatest challenge, but also the greatest opportunity for these actors and watching each of them progress in their roles has been truly extraordinary."
Show times are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday matinees at 4:30 p.m. General admission for Friday and Saturday evening performances is $13 for adults and $11 for students and seniors. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evening performances and Saturday matinees are $11 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased on-line by visiting the Gordon College web site at http://www.gordon.edu/theatreschedule or by calling the Gordon ticket line at 978.867.3400. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door one hour prior to show time.
*There is a $1.00 transaction fee for tickets purchased through the ticket line.
For more information on The Caucasian Chalk Circle or to request photos of the performance, please contact Ashley Hopkins at 978.867.4569 or e-mail [email protected].
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Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 36 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.
