Sean Petersen

The Good Person of Szechwan!

Do you like stories about alter egos? Exploitation and trickery? How about fourth wall breaks? Do you enjoy songs that question daily life and our existence in general? How about gods that don't quite seem to fit the bill? Well then come see The Good Person of Szechwan in the Goodrich Theatre at 8 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, or on Saturday at 2!! Is your mind muddled, completely muddled about how to buy tickets? No fear! Your tickets are free with a student ID at the Union, or $5 for all your friends! Starring the ever so talented Mars Grace, Kyle Roth, Patrick R. Campbell, and many more! So please buy your tickets, grab a hanky or two, and be ready to be amazed! You also get to see me nearly die smoking a cigarette, so hey, all good times!!

Centering on a poor yet infinitely charming woman, Shen Teh, Good Person focuses on how it is very hard to be good, and so very easy to do wicked. When three mighty gods (goddesses in this case) come looking for a good person, they rely on Shen Teh to fulfill their quest. However, when the entire town seems hell bent on taking advantage of her, Shen Teh must figure out a way to survive the greed of her neighbors. Written by the master of epic theatre, Bertholdt Brecht, the play critiques the world we live in with a number of dramatic monologues and delightful fourth wall breaks. The play really does reach out to the audience, pleading them to change the world they live in for the better. With events being what they are, this play is so relevant. Issues from the past few days are challenged in Brecht’s play, despite the recency of them. It is a curious way of designing a play, and yet it is still so important to the overall effect.

Brecht also employs alienation in this play, hoping to really separate the cast from the audience. The play is epic, not dramatic, and so Brecht hoped to make the audience think rather than mindlessly watch. On a number of occasions, characters speak about the scene they are in, and yet somehow connect it effortlessly to the outside world. Brecht wrote this play while in exile in America, when Hitler was in power. World War II was just about to begin, and Brecht fled in order to save his life. The issues in Good Person are supposed to speak to the audience about Hitler and his atrocities, and yet somehow they seem so much more necessary today. A fascinating coincidence.

With the past few days being what they were, there could be a little more positivity in the world. If you’re looking for a blissful distraction from the muddled, hostile environment of the outside world, then come see The Good Person of Szechwan in the Goodrich Theatre. Opening night was Wednesday, but we’re still open tonight and Friday at 8, and Saturday at 2! So if you desperately want to escape the cacophony of hate and protest that is currently America, take a few hours to enjoy a play at your very own SUCO!