The classic tale of good versus evil will be played out in the UA department of theatre and dance’s first production of the 2010-2011 season. “Screwtape” is a play by James Forsyth that the cast calls a dark, intelligent comedy.
The play, directed by graduate student Karen Baker, will premiere Monday, Sept. 20 in the Allen Bales Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
“Screwtape” follows two fiends, Screwtape and Wormwood, as they attempt to win the soul of the protagonist Mike.
“It just throws people for a complete loop with hell,” said Tommy Walker, who plays the lead role of Screwtape. “It throws your perspective out the window.”
Baker has modernized the play, which is based on C.S. Lewis’ book “The Screwtape Letters.” This modernization should help the audience relate even more to the central themes Baker said she believes are still relevant today.
This play is the eighth full-length production Baker has directed, and she said this one’s themes are much grittier than others she has done in the past.
“The thing I like about this one is the stakes are very high. It’s good versus evil, life and death,” Baker said.
She said the biggest difference with directing this type of production is if you get it wrong you cannot recover, and the audience will walk away confused. However, she said she has complete faith in her cast to not let that happen.
Sarah Jones plays Slumtrippet, the female fiend of the production.
She said she is pleased with being cast in “Screwtape” and with her part, but recognizes the challenges in playing it.
“The most difficult part is creating different facets instead of just making her the mean girl and not one-sided,” Jones said of her character.
Creating different facets of characters was something others struggled with as well. Walker said even though his character was “dreadfully evil,” the audience still has compassion for him at some points during the play.
The cast has been rehearsing since Aug. 22 to get through any difficulties they had with their characters and put the production together.
Baker said everyone in the cast has exceeded her expectations, and they are all prepared to put on a great show both on opening night and through the rest of the week.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” said Jennifer Greathouse, a sophomore majoring in elementary education. “I’ve heard great reviews from people who have seen it elsewhere.”
“Screwtape” will run at 7:30 p.m. from Monday, Sept. 20 until Saturday, Sept. 25, with a final showing held on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Rowand-Johnson box office from noon to 5 p.m., by phone at 205-348-3400 or online at ua.tix.com.
Baker hopes everyone in the audience not only enjoys the show but also leaves with a greater sense of empowerment. She said the play shows how important it is to live your life in a way that brings joy to not only you, but also others.
