August 30, 31 and September 2 — Dance and spiritual exploration inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke
The Red Dragon Theatre Project presents “Franka Potente is the Hammer,” an original telling of the story of God and Man’s mutual search for each other inspired by and adapted from the literary works of Ranier Maria Rilke. Where else but IndyFringe?
When: Thu 08/30/2007 9:00 PM; Fri 08/31/2007 10:30 PM; Sun 09/02/2007 8:30 PM
Where: Theatre on the Square at 627 Massachusetts Avenue.
Rainer Maria Rilke is one of the most important German poets of the modern era. Best known for his Letters to a Young Poet, the Sonnets to Orpheus and the Duino Elegies, his writing speaks to the creative spirit in all of us and has a keen awareness to the environment that we live in. “Franka Potente is the Hammer” continues the German Language inspired work of the Red Dragon Theatre Project. The show is directed by Eric Karwisch. The cast includes Dave Ruark, Theresa Koleszar, James Gross, Carrie Walker, Shayla Kenworthy and Jennifer Haezeltine.
A reviewer writes:
I saw “Frank Potente is the Hammer” at the Indy Fringe last night. It was presented by The Red Dragon Theatre Project and directed by Eric Karwisch.
I won’t have time to write a review of it, but I would like to share a few thoughts about it informally. Warning: spoilers.
It made me weep!
Someone in the TOTS lobby tried to ask me about it afterwards but I told her, “I can’t talk about it right now!” I think I might have physically pushed her out of the way, too. (’Sorry about that, if I did!)
I also missed a marketing opportunity by not shouting “Read what I think about it on IndianaAuditions.com!” as I stumbled blindly through the crowded lobby, but what can I say? I was weeping! Actually, it is probably just as well that I wasn’t promoting IA just then.
What got to me first was the presentation of God’s right hand coming back home to the left hand, broken and bleeding. It resonated deeply with my own spiritual beliefs. And after that, there just seemed to be more and more that triggered tears in me. It was a cleansing catharsis, and a precious reminder of my own experiences of God.
I think that fundamentalist Christians and atheists might be offended by this show, but for those of us who are firmly committed to our spiritual path and yet also fully aware that God is ultimately an explainable mystery, this show is beautifully challenging, enjoyably thought-provoking.
A lot of this rich production went over my head. I didn’t mind this, and I wish I could go back and see it a second and third time.
I loved hearing the German poems and then the English translations read over the sound system while a beautiful “girl next door” danced a second translation of the poems with graceful wit; honest, controlled emotion; and precise, delicate, fluidity. The program leaflet says that the dances were choreographed and performed by Jennifer Heazeltine.
I loved that her modern dance outfit (simple black dress) was juxtaposed against the gorgeously detailed period costumes (1890s? early 1900s?) of the speaking characters.
The cast included Jennifer Heazeltine, Theresa Koleszar, Dave Ruark, Shayla Kenworthy, James Gross, and Carrie Walker. They were all excellent. I had not seen any of them except Dave Ruark before. This was my third time seeing his work. I am now a confirmed Dave Ruark fan.
Shayla, were you the one who handed me the thimble at the end? I loved that ending. I am going to cherish that keepsake. I loved that even though this seemed to be an exploration of God that grew out of familiarity with the Judaic-Christian tradition, it hinted at the shamanic belief that all that is, is alive, and at the Japanese Shinto belief (if I understand it correctly) that God is in every bit of nature.
A very powerful, and beautiful, show.
