21 hours Ago By Sharon Cox
The University of Jamestown’s Theatre Department will present Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo” in the DeNault Auditorium of the Reiland Fine Arts building at 7:30 p.m. April 10-12.
Galileo Galilei is teaching mathematics at the university in Padua (Italy) and wants a promotion. He’s told in order for him to receive a job advancement, he must produce something new to the world of science. He learns about the discovery of a “long tube thing” (telescope) from Holland that allows a person to see through the tube and view close up what is naturally miles away.
If he can finagle a way to access one, he might have a chance for that promotion. He sets out to make one himself. ADVERTISEMENT The play is set in the 17th century and centers on how Galileo wriggles between truth and lie, scientific proof and financial difficulties, only to accomplish that task amid the ethical challenges he faces while disproving the authority’s understanding of the universe in the process.
Tension is felt throughout due to conflict between religious doctrine and scientific proof. His human side tells the world of his findings and Galileo finds himself in prison, where he weighs his options and winds up compromising his scientific knowledge to appease powers greater than himself. Professor Michael McIntyre said, “With a Brecht play, one expects a fascinating story of the distant past, but with a critical eye upon disturbing parallels that can be found in the present.
Brechtian style means using unconventional production techniques to make audiences contemplate how history repeats itself.” The 1938 play was first performed in Zurich in 1943, with musical accompaniment by Hanns Eisler. The cast includes: Galileo Galilei, played by Ian Weis.
Allyson Goodmanson plays Andrea Sarti as boy, with Aiden McLain playing Sarti as a man. Mrs. Sarti (Andrea Sarti’s mother and Galileo’s housekeeper) is played by Gabi Oberg, while Nick Huebner plays the rich young man, Ludovico Marsili.
Mr. Priuli, the Procurator of the University of Padua, is played by Charlie Ulstad. Galileo’s friend.
..Sagredo.
..is played by Marc Gerald De Guia, while Payton Gall plays Galileo’s daughter, Virginia.
Levi Weigum plays Matti, with Dalitzy Acosta as the Philosopher/Rector. Prince Cosmo de’ Medici is played by Malcolm Wallace. An Elderly Lady is played by Jessica Bruehl, while a Young Lady is played by Cerys Williams.
ADVERTISEMENT Gavyn Graham plays Federzoni, while the Mathematician is played by Summer Moberg. Lord Chamberlain is played by Daisy Abundis, while the Fat Prelate is played by Wyatt Reid. Keelie Renwick plays the Little Monk, Fulganzio, and Jack Young plays the Infuriated Monk.
Kayla Mahnken plays The First Monk, and Abeni White plays the Second Monk. Henru Vanden Berg plays the Old Cardinal, with Evan Pranke as the First Secretary. Cardinal Bellarmin is played by Kolter Robbins, with Arthur Hebert as Cardinal Barberini, while the Daniel Nyland plays the Cardinal Inquisitor.
Professor Michael McIntyre heads UJ’s Theatre Department, and directs the performance with costume design by Cheryl McIntyre, video production by Francisco Casaroti and scenic/lighting design by Michael McIntyre. Tickets are available by calling 701-252-3467, ext. 5435, or by emailing tickets@uj.
edu . You may also stop by the Reiland Fine Arts Center, room 130, weekdays between 4 to 6 p.m.
Some of the information for this column came from online sites. ADVERTISEMENT If anyone has an item for this column, please send it to Sharon Cox, PO Box 1559, Jamestown, ND 58402-1559. Sharon Cox retired in 2020 after 28 years at the University of Jamestown, including as department chair and professor of art.
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