NKU Opens MOBY DICK REHEARSED Tonight

NKU's Moby Dick Rehearsed by Orson Welles is now onstage, presented by NKU Theatre & Dance and directed by Michael W. Hatton, running tonight, Sept. 26 - Oct. 6, 2103. Tickets: 859.572.5464 or click HERE.

From the brilliant mind of Orson Welles, Moby Dick Rehearsed brings a unique view into the world of theatre. Director Michael W. Hatton put together the following thoughts on this brilliant theatrical work highlighting the words of Welles himself.

"I want to give the audience a hint of a scene. No more than that. Give them too much and they won't contribute anything themselves. Give them just a suggestion and you get them working with you. That's what gives the theater meaning: when it becomes a social act."

This quote by Orson Welles not only encapsulates the production you are about to see, but of the vision Welles had for theatre. In the many theatrical experiments Welles conducted, perhaps none is more curious, frustrating and inspiring than Moby Dick - Rehearsed. In this "love-letter to theatre", Welles plays with many of the theatrical conventions that we often take for granted. He also pushes us as the audience to develop our imaginations and to participate in the communal experience of play-watching. But Welles insists we go further than just watching the play, no, he requires us to be active participants in creating the world of the play in our hearts and minds. The "willing suspension of disbelief" is not just a spectator sport, but an active experience that transports us to new and profound places.

"Create your own visual style... let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others."

Orson Welles was an auteur filmmaker and theatrical director. Moby Dick - Rehearsed gives us a unique glimpse into Welles' mind and an exploration of the styles for which he would become famous. This play represents the collaborative and often challenging process of creating theatre. Serving as director, playwright and actor, Welles' style can be heard in the dialogue of the play, but perhaps more uniquely, his very presence has been imprinted into the role of "The Governor".

"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone."

In tackling such an important piece of American literature, Welles' gives us the opportunity to see the novel Moby Dick through new eyes. While many of the great characters and chapters of the novel have been compressed for theatrical purposes, the heart of the novel remains true. As the audience experiences the voyage of the Pequod through the eyes of Ishmael we indeed see that it is our love and friendships that helps to define who we are and our place in the world. It is learning to appreciate the diversity around us which helps to highlight how very similar we truly are.

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story."

As Captain Ahab seeks the white whale Moby Dick, we marvel at the tenacity and strength of his desire for vengeance. Like other tragic characters, Ahab is given many opportunities to re-evaluate his passion and to adjust his course. Similar to the great Greek tragedies of antiquity, the omens and counsel of Ahab's officers are unable to sway Ahab from his purpose, resulting in all hands lost, except Ishmael. While the story of the ill-fated Pequod is familiar for most, we are drawn back to it time and again to watch the struggle of the characters as they battle their demons and uphold their convictions. We live vicariously through the characters and in the process purge our own souls in the process. Thank you for being an active participant in this grand social act, and as Welles said, for helping to give theatre its meaning.

Come be a part of this wonderful piece of living art.

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