By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Two Buffalo theater companies have been awarded a grant to help educate the public about how easily good can turn evil.
Next month, the Irish Classical Theatre company and the Jewish Repertory Theatre mount a production that will do much more than entertain. C.P. Taylor's play, "Good," explores the evil of Hitler's Nazi Germany. And the psychology behind how some people became unwitting participants. Fortunato Pessimente is associate artistic director for ICT.
"The major theme is how could a good man, how could ordinary human beings become implicated in the nightmare that is Nazi Germany? Hence the title 'Good'," said Pessimente.
The thought provoking play is listed as on of the top one hundred plays of the last century. And it's sure to generate discussion and reflection for Buffalo audiences as well. That's why the Oishei Foundation has granted the collaboration fifty thousand dollars to expand the conversation. A lecture series will be offered following the Sunday matinees, featuring scholars and survivors of the Holocaust. Pessimente says five school matinees during the week have also been added to help educate children.
"We have a special study guide that is being sent out to schools," said Pessimente. "We've actually purchased a book on the study of the Holocaust through drama that each of the teachers are going to get, along with questions about the themes of the play."
And Pessimente says those powerful themes have great relevance today.
"The themes of euthanasia, the themes of complicity continue to be heard today," said Pessimente. "The Terry Schiavo case, and certainly with what you hear in the news with the President of Iran calling the Holocaust a myth."
The play stars Paul Todaro and Saul Elkin, as well as many of Buffalo's other leading performers. Performances begin at the Andrews Theatre on Thursday January 5th and run through February 12th, with an extra matinee on Saturdays. However, there will not be any Friday performances in observance of the Sabbath.