It Could Happen

t requires a different kind of ambition and desire to direct a student-run production successfully, but it seems senior Matt Makel has done just that. As a sophomore, Makel first came in contact with Lebensraum, a play by Israel Horovitz, and he knew immediately he had to direct it. Makel knew this would be a challenge, but he was ready to tackle it. The play calls for only three actors, but each of them is required to play at least 12 different characters from at least four different countries. Surprisingly, Makel chose three freshmen--fortunately, they are all extremely talented individuals. Even in a dress rehearsal, when the show should be "working out the kinks," there didn't seem to be any.

Wendell Theatre Group's production of Lebensraum--German for living space--is set in near-future Germany. The set is very functional with ramps, scaffolding and lots of coat hangers for the abundant number of costumes on stage. In the opening scene, German Chancellor Rudolph Stroiber (Actor #2, David Foster) holds a press conference to apologize for the Holocaust and invites six million Jews to return to Germany to live. What ensues are the reactions and interactions of four different groups. The first family to take the offer and return to Germany are the Linskys, a traditional Jewish-American family. Next are two married gay men from France, followed by a concentration camp survivor who's been living in Australia. The Giesling family are natives to Germany and Gustav Giesling works on the docks where Mike Linsky finds a job upon arrival. Gustav is against the Homecoming Project because of the possibility of further economic difficulties, and he does not approve when his daughter Anna (Actor #3, Caroline White) falls in love with young Sammy Linsky (Actor #1, Amit Mahtaney).

The play brings up heavy religious, political and social issues, yet the production does not feel weighted down. In one scene, Actor #2 is playing two concentration camp survivors who are discussing very grave issues. But because the actor is playing two people at once, switching hats, postures and accents every second, it seems lighter, and none of the meaning is lost.

Because Lebensraum covers such a controversial topic, Makel wanted to include a faculty forum to discuss the issues it deals with. After the Saturday matinee, faculty members from Theater Studies and the religion and German departments will gather in Shaefer Theater to discuss the play. Makel believes it is important to "relate these issues back to what's happening in the real world" because so many people are oblivious to what is really happening today.

The show opens tonight and is only running through the weekend. Judging by a dress rehearsal, it seems Lebensraum will be a rare treat to Duke theater. The show is serious yet funny, and combined with exceptional direction and highly talented actors, this production should have little trouble finding success.