[wzslider info=”true” lightbox=”true”]
Union University is presenting a play about the strength of women faced with death and how they choose to live their lives, said John Klonowski, visiting assistant professor of theatre.
“These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich will be performed in the W. D. Powell Theatre through Nov. 18.
“It’s the story of these women diagnosed with radium poisoning from working at a watch factory,” Klonowski said. “It’s a fight for them to do what is right, even as they are dying.”
Klonowski, who is directing the play, said he was drawn to it first because students recommended it to him and wanted to do it, and second because it showed people confronting the reality of death, something he said Christians often brush to the side.
“We don’t like to think about it because it’s kind of a downer,” Klonowski said. “This play has its downer moments, but it ends on a positive, uplifting note.”
He said the cast consists of nine people, with Elizabel Sartin, junior theatre major, in the main role of a Catherine Donohue, a woman who takes action after discovering she will die of radium poisoning. Thani Magnuson, junior English major, plays her husband, and Nick Fleming, senior Christian ministry and missions major, plays the factory operator. Allison Hearn, senior theatre major, plays Charlotte Purcell, Donohue’s closest friend and a somewhat comedic character.
“The play allows the audience to get to know the women not only at work, but also at home as their friendships strengthen outside of work,” Hearn said. “It is ultimately their friendship that holds them together.”
Hearn said she thinks the story of these women is incredibly important because it helped to create safe working environments in factories.
Klonowski said the play addresses life in the face of death, but it also touches on the rise of feminism.
“These women are at the very early stages of women being allowed to work outside the home,” Klonowski said. “When they speak up, no one wants to listen to them. They have to find a voice.”
“These Shining Lives” will continue with shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Admission is $7 for the general public or $3 for Union faculty, staff and students.
