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The Sword -- (Wisconsin Lutheran College newspaper)
November 5, 1999

'Emma's Child' Kicks Off Theatre Season

by RACHEL RICHTER

What you may already know is that "Emma's Child" will be opening in the Raabe Theatre on November 4 and run through November 13. What you may not know are the real dramas that surround this play.

Three weeks before the opening of "Emma's Child", one of the key actors drops out and Professor Jan Nelson, the play's director, struggles to find a replacement. The semester is starting to pick up, people are busy, and no one wants a three-week death sentance. No one, that is, other than Jon Baas.

It gets better. Not only is Baas learning this role in hyper-speed, but he is simultaneously acting in the lead role of Wisconsin Lutheran College's Black Box production of "Twain by the Tale". And according to Nelson, Baas is "doing a great job handling both plays!"

"Emma's Child" revolves around the story of a couple who plans to adopt a baby after years of unsuccessfully trying to have a child of their own. The couple faces a difficult decision when the baby is born with a severe health defect. Should they honor their committment to the birth mother and the baby? According to Nelson, this play is intruiging, amusing, and the depth of the theme will leave a definite impact on audiences. As she explained, "I believe that this play speaks to the human condition -- to the deep-rooted need in all of us to love and be loved. It reflects both the frailty and the resilience of the human spirit. And it focuses on the idea that life and the connection between lives matters."

"Emma's Child" has been performed in Chicago, Denver, and areas of Oregon. Kristine Thatcher, the playwright, based "Emma's Child" on events in her own life.

Professor Nelson was fortunate enough to be able to correspond with Ms. Thatcher through email to recieve special insight about the play. The character of Robin (Emma's child) is based on a real individual, and the play's final turn of events are factual as well.

Ms. Thatcher described Robin as "the perfect Greek tragic hero. All his strength is seemingly destroyed by one simple weakness. He sets events in motion that are far-reaching, beyond his control. He sets the stage for war. He sets the stage for love and compassion."

A talented cast of WLC students will be contributing to this powerful piece, as Professor Nelson will attest. Ted Miglautsch and Rachel Leverence play the two main characters. Also featured will be Jon Baas, Jenny Pope, Kim Waldhuetter, Sarah McCormick, Kim Lemke, Ellen Gutzman, Jon Lemke, Kristy Leverenz, and -- making her acting debut -- Jennifer Rittmann. In addition Josh Zellmer will be working with sound, Bethany Wells is making her debut as the play's costumer, and Seth Bauer is serving as Professor Matson's primary assistant/technical director.

The structure of this particular play is one of it's most attractive features, as Professor Nelson explained. The order is not chronological -- scenes ricochet back and forth through time. This aids in creating a great deal of dramatic tension and allows the audience to realize what is happening before the characters do.

For more details concerning show times and ticket prices, contact the WLC box office located in the Center for Fine Arts and Performance.

Note: Professor Nelson would like to dedicate this production to her cousin's daughter, Hannah Ricke, who was born with the same medical condition as the child in the play.

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