Lee Theatre to perform “Gaslight”
In 2022, Merriam-Webster announced its 2022 “Word of the Year” was “gaslighting.” The term gained popularity in the mid-2010s and has been a source of controversy ever since. What does it mean? Where did it come from? Those answers can be found in the play “Gaslight,” which will be performed by Lee Theatre this February.
The play first premiered in 1938. A captivating psychological thriller, the play has been readapted numerous times over the years, the most notable being the 1944 MGM film starring Ingrid Bergman. Lee Theatre will be performing an adaptation by playwright Steven Dietz.
The story follows Bella and Jack, a married couple living in 1860s New York City. The couple seems to be living perfectly happy lives, but strange things are happening behind closed doors.
“All is not as it seems in the marriage and within the household,” said Anna Marie Brendel, the director of “Gaslight,” and assistant professor of theatre at Lee.
Bella begins to have confusing spells, hearing and seeing things that are not there. The title of the play references Bella’s belief that the gas lamps in the house dim for no reason. As Bella doubts her own sanity, secrets are revealed, and a sinister plot is uncovered.
Senior film major Ainsley Donahue is making her Lee Theatre debut with the lead role of Bella. “We see her in the beginning of the play ... resentful, kind of distant from the husband because she’s scared. But as we get closer to the end, she grows more courage because of the characters involved,” Donahue said.
One of the characters that supports Bella and works to find the truth is Sergeant Rough, a detective from Scotland Yard. Rough plays a large role in putting the pieces together to figure out what is really going on.
Sophomore psychology major Nolan Mann plays Rough. Mann has performed with Lee Theatre before, having parts in both “12 Angry Jurors” and “A Murder is Announced.” Mann’s character is a comedic role, bringing light to a story with dark themes.
“I love being able to make people laugh ... It’s really interesting to be able to see the other characters who are mostly dark, and me, who comes in [as]
this light in a dark room ... I’m able to come in and release all that tension,” said Mann.
Audience members who come see “Gaslight” will feel immersed, not only because of the thrilling story, but also the unique seating arrange-
ment. Unlike the standard for most plays,
the seating for “Gaslight” will be in-the- round, with the audience completely surrounding the stage in the middle of the theater.
As an actress, Donahue has to be aware
of her unique surroundings. “You have
to get familiar with the stage ... be aware that you have all corners around you, that everybody’s gonna be watching you, so you have to play with that a little more, ” said Donahue.
Though “Gaslight” is set in the mid 19th-century, the play’s message of work- ing to find the truth is still relevant today.
“I think the show has a really cool message of learning to not fall back and not give up and really take a stand for what you know is true and what you believe. I think it will speak to people who feel like they ... don’t have a voice, or are stuck somewhere,” said Mann.
As the director, Brendel hopes the recogniz- able title will interest students to come watch.
“We hope that even though maybe the younger au- dience, like the student body, doesn’t exactly know what this play is, the title might pique their interest a little bit and cause them to pack the house out, because it’s going to be really neat,” said Brendel.
Lee Theatre will perform “Gaslight” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14, and 19-21, in the Buzz Oates Black- box Theater in Lee University’s Communication Arts Building. Tickets are available online and in person at the Lee Theatre Box Office located in the Communication Arts Building. Students can use the code FLAMES for a free ticket.
