Eva Yu, Staff Writer
March 8, 2024
As the winter musical, Mean Girls, wraps up its successful run in Vinik Theatre, anticipation mounts for the next production from the Nobles Theatre Collective (NTC). Under the guidance of Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Theatre Dan Halperin, the company is gearing up for an intriguing and thought-provoking journey through Max Frisch’s The Arsonists as the upcoming spring play.
The Arsonists, a European play dating back to the mid-20th century, offers a rich tapestry of themes and characters. The play’s latest translation made its debut in London in 2007. Halperin said, “It’s about human nature, socio-economics, class, and how people treat each other, but it’s not heavy-handed. At the beginning the playwright writes ‘a moral play without a moral.’ It asks us to wonder who’s good and who’s bad and how.” The playwright’s assertion of it being “a moral play without morals” sets the stage for an intriguing examination of morality and ethics.
Halperin’s decision to select The Arsonists was driven by the unique opportunities it presents both the company and the community. Its unconventional design and acting requirements, combined with its quirky and dynamic nature, promise a fresh and engaging theatrical experience. Halperin said, “I think it’s a really special opportunity for our company and our community, we haven’t done anything like it from a design and acting perspective. It’s pretty funky and dynamic, it’s quirky. It raises important questions without being pedantic.” The play is comprised of a traditional Greek chorus of firemen, as well as several characters living in a town being overrun by fires. Karina Cruz (Class I), who will be working on the show as a costume designer said, “There’s also a chorus of firemen in the script and I’m excited to see how we will portray them as well.” Additionally, the play’s flexible casting and single-location setting provide ample room for creativity and exploration.
In contrast to the well-known productions of Little Women and Mean Girls, Halperin sees The Arsonists as a venture into less familiar territory. While appreciating the merits of both types of productions, he emphasized the importance of diversifying the theatrical repertoire to embrace different storytelling styles and themes. He said, “There’s just a different set of opportunities. And it’s important for us to do both.”
However, with the excitement of tackling the new and unconventional play comes the challenge of effectively portraying the element of fire, which plays a central role in the narrative. Halperin acknowledged the complexity of this task, emphasizing the need for careful planning and execution to ensure safety while conveying the thematic significance of fire on stage. The standard procedure with fires on stage can be fickle, and even a small candle would require extreme supervision backstage. This means portraying large-scale fires can pose an extremely difficult challenge for the company and directors.
Despite the challenges, Halperin is energized by the prospect of bringing The Arsonists to life on stage. He finds particular excitement in the play’s humor and its relevance to contemporary society, noting its timely exploration of a world seemingly on the brink of chaos. He said, “I’m most excited about how quirky and funny it is. It’s been at least 10 years since we’ve done anything that I would put even in the same general ballpark. It feels relevant.” The exploration of a modern world going up in flames provides this play with a relevant touch that Halperin hopes to emphasize.
On the logistical side, Cruz said, “I’m really excited to do more men’s clothes because of the number of male roles. I haven’t really worked with men’s clothing too much and I think it’ll be interesting to do.” Cruz has had experiences with many NTC productions and has worked on costumes for a wide variety of shows. With different characters, plot, and costumes, The Arsonists promises a different experience for not only the company but also the greater Nobles community.
As preparations for The Arsonists gather momentum, Halperin and the NTC team are poised to deliver a theatrical experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking, promising audiences a journey into the heart of human nature and social dynamics.
(Graphic Credit: Betsy VanOot)
