Wrestling with the devil
MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer, 10/27/2003
The devil, played by Joseph Gomez, and the Devil's Advocate, played by Don Morgan, wrestle in the background while Lilith, played by Valerie Stefan listens in the foreground. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Courtroom scenes drag down morality play
Welcome to hell, by way of the Nightingale Theater.
The theatrical representative for this Halloween season is a production of horror master Clive Barker's play "The History of the Devil," which opened this past weekend and continues through Saturday night.
Witnessed on opening night, this presentation proved to be alternately fascinating, tedious, touching and profane.
This work by Barker, a writer before becoming a filmmaker, is most definitely for adult audiences only.
In this sometimes thought-provoking, often pretentious tale, Satan's up for parole and wishes to reapply for admission into heaven. But it won't be easy: First he has to face being put on trial -- by Humanity, no less -- for his variety of crimes throughout history.
If he prevails in this people's court, he's reunited with his creator. If he's found guilty, we're stuck with him on Earth. One wonders how difficult it could be to convict Lucifer of anything, but this slickster's got tricks and treats up his well-tailored sleeves.
He's certainly a charismatic fellow as played with fiery emotion by Joseph Gomez, pleading his case before a mock court set of faux wood-and-rock that looks like something from a Flintstones episode.
Much of this theater piece plays out against flashbacks, representing the case's testimony, as the audience sees Satan cross paths over the centuries with Jesus, a would-be witch and bare-knuckle prize fighters, among many others in this 150-minute production.
These vignettes are devilishly good when compared with the dull courtroom procedural, and talented folks like John Cruncleton and Jenny Jackson shine in these well-produced cameos.
One might think of the program, in its entirety, as a morality play scanning the great evils of history, with a lingering question: Is the devil to blame, or are we?
The work is that of Taurus Productions, which is essentially Dale Sams (who directs) and his wife, Heather, presenting the play with their Nightingale pals. The show contains 30 speaking parts dispersed among 16 local actors, and the cast also includes Sara Wilemon, Valerie Stefan, Mia Sorel, Steve Nuchia and David Jefferis.
"The History of the Devil" continues with 8 p.m. performances Thursday-Saturday at the Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth St. Tickets may be reserved by calling 583-8487 [As of February 2007, 633-8666]. Admission is $5.