North Beach, MD – The 1896 science-fiction novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau, by H.G. Wells, has been brought to the stage with the Twin Beach Players at the Boys and Girls Club in North Beach.
This production, which has been adapted from the original novel by TBP Playwright-in-Residence Mark Scharf, had its world premiere at the October 16 opening; the script will be published in March 2016 by Steele Spring Stage Rights Publishing. This play completes a trilogy specifically written for TBP by Mr. Scharf, and follows his Frankenstein, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; these three works have brought international recognition to both Mr. Scharf and to this theatre company. His script for The Island of Dr. Moreau manages to streamline a complex storyline, while clearly delineating the three main characters of Dr. Moreau, Montgomery, and Prendick. It also clearly the half-human, half-animal creatures by giving each one distinctive personalities.
Remaining show dates are October 23, 24, and 30 at 8 p.m. 3 p.m. Sunday matinees are scheduled for October 25 and November 1. A special Halloween showing will be held at 9 p.m. on October 31. There will be free popcorn for those attending in costume! Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for members, seniors, students, and military. For tickets and for more information you may contact www.TwinBeachPlayers.com. (Twin Beach Players is a non-profit 501©3.)
A publicity release from TBP summarizes the plot of this intriguing story. Protagonist and Narrator Edward Prendick begins a harrowing tale of falling into the hands of the disgraced scientist Dr. Moreau after he’s been rescued from a shipwreck and stranded on a strange, uncharted island. Moreau and his assistant, Montgomery, have both fled England – Moreau because of his practice which combined surgery and vivisection, and Montgomery for the drunken destruction of his medical practice. Edward soon discovers the reason behind the beastly inhabitants of the island. Confronting beasts transformed into humans challenges Edward’s mental stability as he charges the audience to comprehend the horrors he has endured while trapped on this island. Once free of Dr. Moreau and the island, he decides that it’s best for him to feign amnesia as he feels no one will believe the tale of what he’s experienced.
The plot deals with the themes of pain and cruelty, moral responsibility, human identity, and human interference with nature. At the time of the novel’s publication, many interest groups had been formed to oppose vivisection. Mr. Scharf’s adaptation moves the date of the story to 1891 even though the novel dates from 1896. (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines vivisection as, “the cutting of or operation on a living animal for physiological or pathological investigation…”)
There have also been several film adaptations of the H.G. Wells novel, including the 1977 version starring Burt Lancaster and Michael York, and the 1996 version with Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer.
There was a feeling of excitement in the air as I arrived for dress rehearsal on October 15. Cast members were congregating in the hallways outside of the auditorium, finishing up details of wardrobe and makeup before curtain. I knew it was going to be an interesting evening when I stopped off in the ladies room to wash my hands and spied a plastic bottle labelled “Bloody Foam” on the countertop.
Director Sid Curl helpfully pointed out specific cast members to me and indicated their specific roles while explaining that the intricate prosthetics used for the makeup were so delicate that in order to conserve them for the performances, only half of them had been used at the previous night’s rehearsal; the remaining half would be used for dress rehearsal.
As the play opens, Edward Prendick, (the resonant-voiced Ethan Croll) relates the story of his shipwreck on an uncharted island somewhere in the South Pacific. Watch carefully for the notable and subtle mannerisms of Montgomery’s man-servant, M’ling (Melley Byram in her second TBP role), while he listens as Montgomery (Jim Weeks) revives Edward. Montgomery explains that he no longer wishes to be addressed as “doctor” and rescues Prendick by taking him onboard Moreau’s ship. (Mr. Weeks employs a slight touch of a British accent here in a self-assured performance).
We meet the imposing figure of Captain Davis (Rick Thompson, appearing in dual roles at the Captain and as Dr. Moreau) who is keeping a cargo of animals stacked in crates stowed below deck. The Captain is quite rude and repeatedly addresses Prendick as “Mr. Shutup” while reinforcing the fact that Prendick is uninvited. It is obvious that Moreau endeavors to give the appearance of being in control at all times, while Montgomery refers to himself as a drunk. Montgomery hints that he harbors a secret about himself, but he does not divulge the information to Prendick initially.
The three leading actors make a startling visual presence onstage during scenes where they are costumed in white, off-white and beige colors with Dr. Moreau himself looking especially debonair; offering almost a blinding contrast against the dark, jungle backdrop.
Moreau subsequently sends everyone off of his ship along with the animals. Montgomery wants nothing more to do with Prendick who finds himself marooned once again as he is pushed off the ship. Montgomery reconsiders, and comes to Prendick’s aid once again.
It seems that Moreau and all of the animals have also reached the same island. Montgomery needs Prendick to assist with unloading his cargo of rabbits from the ship; but now an awkward situation has developed. Prendick is the “odd man out” on this deserted island with both Dr. Moreau and Montgomery reluctant to enlist him as a confidant. And Prendick now ponders where he’s heard the name Moreau before…
Prendick questions M’ling about the island’s inhabitants but is perplexed by the creature’s reactions. It becomes more and more apparent that Montgomery has a serious drinking problem.
Montgomery finally reveals that Moreau was a prominent London doctor – well-respected for his work with the transfusion of blood. But Prendick recalls rumors of mutilated animals. Montgomery goes on to say that Moreau’s work continues on this island. Prendick becomes more and more agitated as he believes that Moreau isn’t just experimenting on animals but on humans, too, and fears he will be the next victim.
Prendick encounters the Leopard Man (enviably lithesome 12-year-old Alayna Stewart) in the jungle along with other strange creatures such as the five-fingered Ape (Brianna Bennett, exhibiting good vocal projection) who leads him to a group of strange half-animal/half-human creatures. (Brianna is the Youth Troupe Representative on TBP’s Board of Directors. She played Katrina in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; she is currently a senior at Northern High School and is Producer of the NHS TV station.) These jungle creatures surround Prendick and command him to “say the words” as they chant their promise not to run on all fours, not to eat flesh or fish, and to “learn the law”. They are led by The Sayer of the Truth (Angela Knepp, making a favorable impression here in her stage debut).In a cliffhanger statement at the close of Act I, Prendick declares that he needs to know what’s happening on the island and then challenges the audience as he adds, “Don’t you?”
Act II opens on a horrific scene as Dr. Moreau calmly and patiently explains to Prendick that he is a “man of science” and that his work is to humanize the animals through his skills as a surgeon. The Puma (Jenny Liese) on the operating table voices exquisitely excruciating roars which reverberate throughout the hall.(This is Jenny’s third TBP performance; she appeared as Mother Goose in Babes in Toyland, and as Frans Van Tassell in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. She holds a master’s degree from UNLV in Las Vegas).
Perhaps Mr. Thompson’s greatest skill as an actor is his ability to make Moreau’s twisted theories sound plausible and his grotesque experiments sound somewhat logical through his calm, detached delivery – almost generating some empathy from the audience along with compassion for him and for his obsessions. He is absolutely frightening as he declares, “On this island, I am God.”
Mr. Thompson is a TBP veteran, having portrayed Glenn in Rumors, and Major Metcalfe in The Mousetrap. Other recent roles include Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace with the Newtowne Players, and President Roosevelt in Annie at Port Tobacco Players. Other talents include stage directing, and lighting and sound design.
Act II takes a very dark turn as it is determined that the Leopard Man has broken “the law” by having eaten a rabbit. Dr. Moreau summons all of his creatures while arming himself, Montgomery, and even Prendick. It is a thrilling sight onstage when all of the animals congregate, displaying their unique characterizations in their glorious costumes and make-up.
Ethan becomes a reluctant hero as he now rises to the occasion and tries to put things right on the island. The Puma reacts sensitively to being set free; one almost wishes there were a sequel exploring a future relationship between Prendick and the Puma!
Of course, the escape does not proceed according to plan and Moreau leads Montgomery and M’ling to track down the Puma in the jungle. Mr. Weeks is most convincing as we observe his mental state slowly deteriorating; he handles this difficult role admirably. (Jim is returning to TBP for his fourth production, having been seen as Ken in Rumors. He is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, currently stationed at Joint Base Andrews.) Laura Waybright as the Fox-Bear-Witch creature has effective moments at the play’s end, dressed in a bright-red costume. (14-year-old Laura hopes to someday become a voiceover actor or to work with special effects makeup. She was seen as the Elf in TBP’s Babes in Toyland). Montgomery shares his alcohol with the beasts amidst numerous special effects, technical tricks and soundtrack surprises. (Note throughout the pulsating soundtrack and the efficient stage crew members who handle a myriad of set-changing tasks).
At last, Dr. Moreau is made to pay the price for his scientific experiments. But what of the others? Montgomery is an outcast in England, but he – along with Prendick and M’ling – manage to leave the island on a small launch. The beasts will revert to their origins. So, who is “in charge” on the island? The audience is left to ponder this tantalizing question at the play’s end: Now who is playing God?
The most exciting scenes in the play highlight the ensemble of animals with their highly detailed costumes and make-up. Each has a distinct personality and vocal quality; each is unique. Additional members of this unusual zoological collection include: Mickey Cashman (Hyena-Swine Creature) who has been with TBP for 8 years. He was seen in A Christmas Carol, and has won two prizes in TBP’s Kids Playwriting Festivals; -Angela Denny (St. Bernard Creature), who has been a TBP member for over 4 years and was seen in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; -Olivia Phillips (Satyr Creature) who appears here in her fifth TBP show; and -M.J. Rastakhiz (Bear-Wolf Creature), who is a TBP veteran as well as technical assistant.
Rounding out the ensemble by performing double-duty are Travis Lehnen, Riley Nikolaus, and Rachel Cruz whose credits include roles as animals and as sailors.
Due to the great care taken with costuming and make-up, all of the animal actors are unrecognizable from their photos which appear in the Program Book.
Ethan Croll gives a standout performance as Prendick. This is Ethan’s fourth TBP show; he has previously been seen as the befuddled Garry in TBP’s hilarious Noises Off, as Brom in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and as Lofgren in Harvey. His previous theatre experience is evident here as he assumes the role as hero.
Production-Designer, Lighting and Scene Designer, Sound Board Operator, and Director Sid Curl patiently made suggestions to his cast and crew during dress rehearsal, guiding actors to give their best performances, encouraging swift, smooth scene changes, and tweaking the soundtrack until it was just right. Mr. Curl’s association with TBP dates to the year 2000; since that time he has directed 18 productions. He spent 20 years performing in musicals and comedies, and designed sound for a Broadway production at Circle in the Square. He is President of TBP’s Board of Directors. In his Director’s program notes he gives generous praise to his production team made up of Skip Smith and Wendy Cranford (Make-up and Creatures Designers), Dawn Denison (Costume Designer), Bob Snider (composer of the original soundtrack music), Rick Thompson (Sound Designer) and Master Carpenter Richard Keefe, Sr., and compliments their ability to work and design together to place this community theatre company on a comparable level of productions found in the large cities close to our area. He details the time he spent coaching the actors and cautions the audience to, “Enjoy, have fun but never disturb the Creatures of the night.”
Mr. Curl was fortunate to have the talented Assistant Director/Stage Manager Cheryl Thompson here in her fourth time as Stage manager for one of Mr. Scharf’s TBP productions. Ms. Thompson is a TBP Board of Directors member.
Mark Scharf, TBP’s Playwright-in-Residence has authored plays that have received readings and productions across the USA as well as internationally. He holds an MFA in Playwriting from the University of Virginia, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. For more information on Mr. Scharf you may visit www.markscharf.com.
The Production Staff also included: -Producers Vivian Petersen and Kate Harrison, Scenic Designer Katherine Willham, Assistant Stage Manager Travis Lehnen, Master Electrician Melissa Nickolaus, Light Board Operator Melissa Nickolaus, Sound Board Operator Bob Snider, Stage Technician Riley Nickolaus, Scene Painter Brianna Workcuff, Make-up Staff members Donna Bennett, Brianna Bennett, Regan Cashman, Annie Gorenflo, Delaney Nickolaus, and Laura Waybright, Program Photographer Candy Bintrim. Merle Blair, Vivian Petersen, and Kate Harrison managed promotions and advertising; Vivian Petersen and Sherry Lehnen managed the House. Ms. Petersen and Donald McGuinn are credited with Program Design; Graphic Designer was Donald McGuinn.
The next TBP production will be A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Showtimes are November 27, 28, December 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7 p.m., with 3 p.m. Sunday matinees scheduled for November 29, and December 6 and 13. Tickets will be available online or at the door.
The Boys and Girls Club is located at 9021 Dayton Avenue in North Beach, MD 20714 and for more information you may contact www.TwinBeachPlayers.com.
