Isadoora Theater Presents “Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them”

David Clowers (right) rehearses the interrogation scene with Marcel Bruyere (seated) while assistant director David Magle reads along. Photo by Len Villano.

You’ll feel strange, perhaps guilty for laughing, but you will laugh. Isadoora Theater’s upcoming production of Christopher Durang’s Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them offers audiences an absurd tale, a black comedy, a satire on America’s hot-button issues, primarily torture as the title suggests, but also stem cell research, abortion, 9/11, terrorism, Syria, gun violence, and porn.

“I read the play two years ago,” says director Henry C. Timm, “and thought, ‘Wow, this is so absurd and complex.’ These are the plays I like to do, the kind of plays I write. There are really important characters and ideas.”

The play begins when Felicity (Mary Hall) wakes up in a hotel room and learns she is married to the man beside her: Zamir (Marcel Bruyere), a quick-tempered man with a sketchy past. Unfortunately for Zamir, Felicity’s father Leonard (David Clowers) is involved in the ‘shadow government’ and suspects his new son-in-law of planning a terrorist attack. With the help of inept spies Hildegard (Michelle Reinhard) and Looney Tunes (Stuart Champeau), Leonard interrogates and tortures Zamir while his wife, Luella (Lola DeVillers) rattles on about theater, Terri Schiavo, and stem cell research to her daughter.

If the above description gives you some apprehension about attending the play, ignore it. “Come with a light heart and be prepared to enjoy,” says Reinhard. “Don’t hunt for anything offensive, because you’ll find it.”

Durang’s play, though riddled with potential offense, offers a humorous avenue to explore issues. “This gives us a chance to reflect and explore [topics],” says Timm. “Charlie Chaplin said, ‘The only way to deal with a dictator is to make fun on him.’” In this case, it’s not a dictator we’re laughing at, but several issues that dictate our country’s collective moral consciences and fear.

“It took me three times before I laughed,” admits DeVillers. “I had to read it three times before I could actually feel and hear the humor – I was so focused on the negativity.” DeVillers, like each actor in the production, had no idea what the play was about when she auditioned.

Lola DeVillers (left) and Michelle Reinhard rehearse scenes for Isadoora Theater’s upcoming production. Photo by Len Villano.

“I was a little shocked,” adds David Clowers. “My character tortures and I’m a pacifist, so to do this sort of thing to another human being even on stage is kind of unnerving.”

While the production is absurd, Clowers believes the play showcases “real stuff.” “There is an interview and diary that’s being published in Slate magazine right now on a fellow that’s been at Gitmo [Guantanamo Bay] for 10 years. And he described how he was tortured – he had it all happen to him,” says Clowers, who continues, “I heard Representative [Peter] King of New York speak after the Boston Marathon bombings, he sounded just like my character.”

Timm felt some apprehension about presenting the play following the Boston Marathon bombings, but quickly decided it was more appropriate than ever. “I’m from the Boston area,” he says, “I have a personal connection. Absurdities rise out of this show and we can talk about these bizarre, crazy things that are actually happening.”

Timm suspects the play will not appeal to every audience member, but looks forward to post-show discussions. The cast is doing their part to encourage diverse individuals to the production simply by inviting family and friends. “I don’t think we could keep them away even if we wanted to,” laughs John Wilson, who plays Mike in the production – a reverend/porn filmmaker.

Reinhard warned a few friends beforehand about the play’s content: “I said to my church friends, ‘There are a few words in there…particularly during the torture scene,’” she laughs. “They said, ‘Oh, torture scene…how nice.’”

Surprisingly, for the amount of offensive material packed into one play, the overall message is one of hopefulness. Though you may cringe and shift uncomfortably in your seat, you’ll laugh and leave feeling oddly optimistic.

Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them plays May 17 – 19 and 24 – 26 at the Ephraim Village Hall, located at 9996 Water Street in Ephraim. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday matinees are at 2 pm. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for students.

This play is for mature audiences only. To reserve tickets in advance call 920.493.DOOR (3667). Isadoora accepts payment by cash or check only; no credit cards are accepted.

For more information, visit http://www.isadoora.com or http://www.facebook.com/isadoora.