Marya Sea Kaminski as Rachel
Corrie in My Name is Rachel Corrie at Seattle Repertory
Theatre, playing on the Leo K stage through April 22. Photo
copyright Chris Bennion
Amidst gunfire and liberal politics My Name is Rachel
Corrie is a powerful retelling of a controversial young
woman’s life from Olympia, WA who was killed by an Israeli
bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003. Now playing at the Seattle
Repertory’s Leo K. Theatre until April 22, the story of why
Corrie was in the war torn Mid-East and the motives that brought
her there are not only controversial but personal.
My Name is
Rachel Corrie was co-written by British actor Alan Rickman
and London’s newspaper magazine editor of the year, Katharine
Viner. First time director at the Seattle Repertory, Braden
Abraham, did a fabulous job of combining talent, costume,
lighting, sound and design to make a thoroughly entertaining
experience. The play opens to a college bedroom of sorts on a
concrete slab on stage with sturdy bullet ridden walls
impressively designed by stand out Jennifer Zeyl.
Marya Sea Kaminski,
recently awarded “Best Performing Artist” by Seattle Weekly
stars as Rachel Corrie and delivers an outstanding and high
energy performance.
Looking past the
political nature of the play it is a universal story of a young
woman growing up and feeling the pressures of adulthood and the
weight of the world’s problems. Compiled from Corrie’s journals
and emails, Rickman and Viner do an
admirable job of showing an idealistic youth with the same
dreams and aspirations of most;
wanting to change the world into a better place. She loses some
of that idealism when faced with the harsh realities she puts
herself into. Though what makes Corrie’s story unique compared
to others? Her unusual surroundings, her liberal upbringing or
her radical education? The play tries to answer that question
but misses its mark.
Viewing her life
through rose-colored glasses made it seem like a fairy tale. If
you are convinced that Corrie was a martyr, than you might
thoroughly enjoy this show. But if you think world events don’t
singularly depend on one person you may be upset by what is left
out since this telling of her life is based on factual events.
Not hearing the other side leaves the story somewhat lacking.
Many times during
the performance it was heart-breaking to hear of her discovery
of valuing relationships, service and love while dodging bullets
and being a human shield. You sympathize that such a bright and
promising young woman’s life was snuffed out so early. Though
her martyrdom to nonviolent resistance to stop the demolition of
Palestinian homes and wells is well celebrated, you can not
dismiss the claims that the organization she was working for may
have willingly helped Palestinian terrorists smuggle weapons
into the area which may have later been used to kill Israeli
civilians including children.
The show does not claim to know the answers to this
ancient war between Arabs and Jews but it makes you question how
much or how little involvement international citizens should
have in this conflict. Using your body as a human shield is
controversial enough but how much more controversial is the
education and so-called indoctrination that teaches young people
to do such an act willingly to promote an idea or organization.
These are the underlying themes of the play and being well
informed actually helps you to enjoy the performance even more
so as not to get caught up the political nature of it but to
enjoy the staging and outstanding performance of this one woman
show.
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2006 All content property of European Weekly unless where otherwise
accredited