Kraken Theatre Company presents Lucy Kirkwood’s play, The Children, at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center from May 9 through May 18.
Based on the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, the play centers on two retired nuclear scientists living just outside the exclusion zone. The plot twist in the play is a surprise visit from a former colleague. Not only will they confront dark secrets from the past, but they will have to consider the true cost of survival.
Should they stay safe in their remote cottage, or risk everything to save the young scientists shutting down the nuclear power plant? The notion of intergenerational accountability is at the forefront of this thrilling play as it asks us whether we owe anything to future generations.
This is a rare opportunity to see top level theatre in Merced. It brings together Charlene West, and David and Heike Hambley. Almost exactly 30 years ago, David and Heike Hambley not only met but became engaged during rehearsals for Merced College’s production of Man of La Mancha. They got married later that year. Together, they’ve been involved in more than 40 shows, and this will be the third time in which they share a love interest. David and Heike will take to the stage as the estranged lovers of Robin and Rose, former colleagues at the power plant. On stage, they’ll be joined by the talented Charlene West, who will be playing Robin’s wife, Hazel. This will be Charlene’s 10th show in which she shares the stage with Heike and David, and, incredibly, the fifth show in which she is ‘married’ to David. Her most recent role was in Sankofa Theatre’s staging of Lynn Nottage’s Sweat at the Gallo Center in Modesto.
This will also be a rare opportunity to see the professional work of Josh Christensen, whose scenic design work appears regularly at both the Gallo Center in Modesto and Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora. He will be joined by lighting designer Edgar Alamo who teaches and designs lighting and sound at California State University, Stanislaus. The technical team will also include two Merced College theatre students, Hanna Prewett as stage manager, and Justem Cox who has written original music for the show. Zairah Quevedo will be prop manager. Adam Bryx will direct and produce the show. He is the founding artistic director of Kraken Theatre Company, and also teaches theatre and literature at UC, Merced.
Performances of The Children will run May 9, 10, 16, 17 at 7 p.m.; and May 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center (645 W. Main Street in downtown Merced). A talk back with director and cast will follow the conclusion of the show on May 11. Tickets are $20 and $10 for students, and can be purchased online at the MAC: https://www.artsmerced.org/events-list/kraken-the-children. More information about the show and Kraken Theatre Company: instagram.com/krakentheatre.