'Death and the Maiden'

By Robert Walling
The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Theatre Department will present “Death and the Maiden” by Chilean political exile Ariel Dorfman. Directing the play is WVUP newcomer Carson Soelberg. With an extensive portfolio of experience, Carson has directed over 100 productions, worked in over 170, and has had 14 of his own works reach the stage (10 of which are musicals).

The show is a three-person production. Making their stage debuts are Allen Withrow and Kaleb Gregory Smith. Allen plays Gerardo Escobar, a lawyer hired to a committee investigating the human rights abuses of his country’s previous fascist regime. The official government policy at the time is to grant general pardon to all of those who committed these abuses.

Gerardo’s wife Paulina, played by Dallas Zickefosse, has kept her troubled past from her husband. She was a victim of both the rape and torture that were rampant during Augusto Pinochet Ugarte’s CIA-approved overtake of the Chilean Socialist government.

One night the couple meets Dr. Robert Miranda, played by Kaleb Gregory Smith. While eating dinner with the family, Paulina recognizes that the doctor’s voice is that of the man who kidnapped her during the period of Chile’s political turmoil.

The plot creates conflicts against Paulina’s want for revenge, her husband’s duty to not seek retribution for the harm done during the revolution, and the irony that Dr. Miranda now finds himself in the position he placed Paulina years ago.

“Please be advised that ‘Death and the Maiden’ addresses adult themes and contains very strong adult language,” stated director Soelberg. Parents are not encouraged to bring young children to the show.

The play will be presented in three performances, on Oct. 28, 29 and 30.