Student play to benefit South Bend AIDS ministry
By SPENCER BEGGS
News Writer
The Student Players will present a staged reading of one of Tony Kushner's two-part dramas "Angels in America," which won the Tony Award for best play in 1993. The group will present the first half of the show entitled "Millennium Approaches" as a benefit for the AIDS Ministry in downtown South Bend tonight in Washington Hall.
The major storyline follows a turn in the life of a man named Joe, played by sophomore Adel Hanash. As a Mormon, Joe is a repressed homosexual who confronts his nature when he meets Lewis, played by 2000 alumnus Dave Hartwig, who has left his boyfriend when he discovers that his lover is infected with HIV. Joe must come to terms with his sexuality and Lewis with the nature of his love for his boyfriend.
Kelly Hart, the president of The Student Players believes that the play is especially relevant to the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's campuses because it addresses issues that are not often discussed in a public forum, especially by the campus' administrations.
"Hopefully, [theatre goers] will walk away with more of an open mind [after seeing the show] — The Students Players has always been a group that to tries to open people's minds," Hart said.
Senior Kathleen Lane, the director of the show, concurs.
"Notre Dame doesn't like to address the issues like diseases on campus or homosexuality. We here to remind them that just because they don't choose to recognize them doesn't mean they don't happen," Lane said.
Although, the actors have only had a very short time to put their show together, Lane feels that the production has been blessed with a talented group of actors that can produce a quality show even with the minimal staging and blocking of the show.
Although the show has a very heavy subject, actor Matthew Holmes thinks that the show is not meant to be depressing.
"I think it's a message of hope —basically the world is a big chaotic mess in this play, [but in the end] it's all about believing that something good can happen," he said.
The Student Players are not charging admissions to the show; they are however, accepting donations for the AIDS Ministry, located on 222 South Williams Street. Call (574) 234-2870 for more information about the clinic or making donations.
"Angels in America" will be presented tonight in Washington Hall at 7:30 p.m.
All News Stories for Friday, January 25, 2002
