Dark comedy for the Dark Ages
MCT's season opener 'Incorruptible' is set in 1250 A.D.
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Posted - Friday, November 06, 2009 11:07 AM EST
Photo by LORETTA GEOTIS
The cast of "Incorruptible" make their Marathon Community Theatre debut Nov. 12. On the altar, Maria Luther, joined by costumed players Alan Andrews, Justin Ahearn and Arnie Steinmetz. Marilyn Tempest directs.
'We took a vow of poverty to help the poor, not become them.' Brother Martin
Marathon Community Theatre (MCT) opens its new season with "Incorruptible" by Michael Hollinger. The setting: Priseaux, France.
The date: 1250 A.D.
The story: The river has flooded again, the chandler's shop burned to the ground, nobody's heard of the wheelbarrow yet and the patron of the local monastery hasn't worked a miracle in 13 years.
The Dark Ages are still very dark.
Hollinger, who also wrote "An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Bouef" and "Tooth and Claw," bases his story on a mix of fact and artistic license.
For the uninitiated, the play's title "Incorruptible," refers to the belief in the Catholic Church that the bodies of holy people do not decay. A famous example often cited is St. Bernadette of Lourdes, France.
An active trade in relics, parts removed from the bodies of saints, was not uncommon in medieval Europe - giving Hollinger the inspiration for his satiric play.
With the monastery fallen on hard times, the monks turn to a large-scale marketing plan with a mail order bones business. And the rest you'll just have to see on stage, starting with the season opener Thursday, Nov. 12.
Directed by Marilyn Tempest, this play has lots of one-liners and plenty of action. Cheri Edwards, assists. "Incorruptible" is produced by Riet Steinmetz.
An opening night party immediately follows Thursday's show, which begins promptly at 8 p.m.
Performances for "Incorruptible" are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 12 through Dec. 5. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving, November 26. The Theatre will present a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee Nov. 29.
The cast includes Justin Ahearn, Alan Andrews, Marty Dillis, Maria Luther, Annie Miners, Eric Rolfe, Arnie Steinmetz and Valerie Taylor.
Tickets are on sale now for $18. Season tickets are also available as a three-show package for $54 or a four-show package for $70. Call 305-743-0994.
Tickets can be purchased by phone with a MasterCard or Visa card. Or stop by the box office anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays on performance dates. To request more information, email gm@marathontheater.org; call the business office at 743-0408, or visit www.marathontheater.org.
