5:32 PM
ArtsNFashion
The Amish Project a
play inspired by an all too real 2006
shooting in an Amish schoolhouse in which several Amish children were killed poses
the question, “in the tightrope intersection of grief, rage, and forgiveness,
which path do you take?” Carol Stuckey
played by Iliana Carter finds herself at the receiving end of mercy from the
very people affected by the hideous act carried out by her husband Eddie. Iliana Carter plays all seven characters on
stage to include two young girls, America (teen grocery clerk), Bill (spokesman
for the Amish community) and a local news reporter, as well as her murderous
husband. Under the direction of MOXIE Theatre’s Delicia
Turner Sonnenberg, Iliana portrays each character with honesty, emotional depth
and razor sharp transitions.
Carol can only conclude that God doesn’t exist. This hideous act has ripped her life apart as
well as the lives of the victims and their families; still, she is shown
forgiveness and love by the Amish community through action rather than just
words. Although she feels that she’s unworthy and full of shame their kindness
affects her. The words love, mercy,
compassion and forgiveness are never spoken, but they are certainly understood,
allowing Carol Stuckey to begin to find a life free from guilt and shame, a
life where she can see God on earth through the great faith of others. Ultimately, she is able to extend that same
compassion when she shows up at America’s (teen clerk) house to apologize for a
negative reaction, thus lifting the teen, whose self-esteem similarly was in
the gutter due to a teen pregnancy. Though
the content involves a senseless crime, playwright Jessica Dickey shines a much
bigger light on the characters post incident. Carol is left to deal with the
mess Eddie left behind when he took his own life as the police stormed the
schoolhouse, but in her interactions with character after character lay the
roadmap for her own forgiveness and salvation.
She finds peace in God through the unspoken words of the Amish who are
able to rest on their faith even in times of great pain.
Iliana Carter is superb on stage. She effortlessly moves between characters
that alternate in age, culture, ethnicity and gender, at times from sentence to
sentence. Ms. Carter brings to life each
of the seven characters on stage with emotional depth and power.
Under the brilliant direction of Delicia Turner Sonnenberg,
the creative team for The Amish Project includes David F. Weiner (Scenic Design), Jeannie Galioto (Costume Design), Jason Bieber (Lighting Design), Nicholas Drashner (Sound Design), and Marie Jahelka (Stage
Manager). The team, as is true with
every show I’ve seen under Delicia’s direction, does a great job transitioning
with movement, lights and sound. The
simple dress of the standard Amish woman and functional, unpretentious set design
gave just the right setting for this production.
Mo’olelo has brought to the stage another meaningful,
thought-provoking play in The Amish
Project. Make sure not to miss this
one.
Click here for more tickets and more information: The Amish Project
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