鈥淥n the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova鈥� opens at MainStage Theater this Friday
An original musical premiering at 黑料正能量鈥檚 MainStage Theater this week brings audiences the captivating, never-before-seen story of a Russian poet, nun and saint who saved countless lives during World War II and was killed for it. Created by 黑料正能量 professors Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole, 鈥淥n the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova鈥� runs from Friday-Saturday, March 28-29 @ 7 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5 @ 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, March 30 @ 2 p.m.
The sweeping drama traces the remarkable life of Skobtsova, played by 黑料正能量 senior Reah Clymer, from impetuous teen to chain-smoking nun who sheltered refugees and helped many Jews escape Nazi-occupied Paris. Known as 鈥淢other Maria,鈥� she was arrested and sent to the Ravensbr眉ck concentration camp, where she was executed.
鈥淵ou really see the arc to Maria鈥檚 life,鈥� Poole said. 鈥淏y the end of the play, you鈥檙e completely invested in who she is, and you see this dramatic transformation she goes through.鈥�
The fourth collaboration between Holsopple and Poole, 鈥淥n the Breath of God鈥� brings together a multigenerational cast and crew of 黑料正能量 students, alumni, faculty/staff and community members. The musical features a chorus of four women mystics from history, singing lyrics taken directly from their texts to Celtic folk melodies, performed by musicians Perry Blosser 鈥�18 (violin), Benjamin Brantley (guitar), and Dirk Holsopple 鈥�10 (Uilleann pipes). These mystics, played by students Elie Hoover and Erin Batten and alumnae Caitlin Holsapple 鈥�16 and Elizabeth Eby 鈥�22, surround Skobtsova during pivotal moments in her life. Though invisible to her, they influence her decisions through their words.
鈥淐eltic music is able to hold trauma and hope together,鈥� Holsopple said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what this story is. It鈥檚 the story of a woman who endured all kinds of trauma and never lost the ability to have hope and keep doing what she believed was right, up until the very end.鈥�
Clymer delivers a masterful performance as Skobtsova, pouring her soul into the multifaceted character, capturing her playfulness, fierceness and suffering. 鈥淢other Maria lived a tough life,鈥� Clymer said. 鈥淪he lost two daughters, went through two divorces, lived through war and displacement and deportation, and was thrown in jail multiple times. I鈥檝e had to go there, emotionally, in every rehearsal.鈥�
The set design is minimalist yet imaginative. Backlit stained glass panels form the backdrop, paired with an animated collage of photos projected onto two screens. While most characters in the play wear neutral-toned, period-specific clothing, with Skobtsova dressed in a Russian Orthodox nun鈥檚 habit, the mystics don flowing robes accented with pops of color. Frequent 黑料正能量 Theatre collaborator Rachel Herrick returns as costume designer. Rounding out the crew are Shannon Dove (technical director and set design), Robert Weaver (light designer), Tom Carr (sound technician), and Sarah Peak (stage manager), among others.
Despite the play鈥檚 early- to mid-20th century setting, Clymer said its themes are just as relevant today. 鈥淭his story is so timely,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about immigration. It鈥檚 about refugees. It鈥檚 about war and political turmoil.鈥�
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for children 18 and under, and $6 for university students. For tickets, visit:
Read a preview of the play from the Daily News-Record .
Cast
Liz “Maria” Skobtsova 鈥� Reah Clymer
Sophia 鈥� Melody Wilson
Jura/Sailor 鈥� Ross Haun
Alexander Blok/Captain/Father Dimitri 鈥� Adam Hoover
Dmitri/Daniil/Peters 鈥� Joe Seitz
Father/Metropolitan 鈥� Shannon Dove
Evgenia/Klara 鈥� Kay Pettus
Ana/Ida 鈥� Alexis Lewis
Gardener/Father Kern/SS Officer 鈥� Nathanael Eby
Lyuba/Nun at Lourmel House/Inna 鈥� Cassidy Walker
Nun/Irena 鈥� Emilee White
Therese of Lisieux/Hildegard of Bingen 鈥� Elie Hoover
Hadewijch of Flanders 鈥� Elizabeth Eby
Mechthild of Magdeburg 鈥� Caitlyn Holsapple
Julian of Norwich/Theresa of Avila 鈥� Erin Batten
Young Liz/Giana 鈥� Vienna Poole
Young Giana/Nastia 鈥� Felicity Poole
Crew
Co-creator 鈥� Justin Poole
Co-creator 鈥� Jerry Holsopple
Costume designer 鈥� Rachel Herrick
Technical Director/Set Design 鈥� Shannon Dove
Light Designer 鈥� Robert Weaver
Sound Technician 鈥� Tom Carr
Stage Manager 鈥� Sarah Peak
Assistant Stage Manager 鈥� Jordyn Thompson
Video Production Assistant 鈥� Zack Furr
Video Production Assistant 鈥� Oslyn Mejia Gomez
Cast and Crew Photographer/Video Production Assistant 鈥� Cassidy Walker
Video Production Assistant 鈥� Willem Hedrick
Video Production Assistant 鈥� Allie Watkins
Musicians
Violin 鈥� Perry Blosser
Guitar 鈥� Benjamin Brantley
Irish Pipes 鈥� Dirk Holsopple
Is there any way that this production can be viewed online?
Are you considering performing this play at other locations, such as PA?? I stayed in the Maria Skobtsova house in Calais, France with Mennonite Mission Network for a month last year, being a presence for the refugees housed there waiting to cross the English Channel.