Drama ‘God’s Country’ confronts white supremacy at Venice Theatre
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Steven Dietz wrote his 1988 play “God’s Country” years before the rise of white supremacist groups from the fringes of politics and society.
His play, which opens Venice Theatre’s Stage 2 season this week, is a docudrama about the white supremacist movement and those working against the United States government for the expulsion of all non-Aryans.
Dietz has said most of the lines are from statements of members of the Order of the Silent Brother, which was started in the Pacific Northwest by several white supremacist groups. Its members staged armed robberies that netted more than $4 million and killed prominent Denver radio host Alan Berg, who was Jewish and mocked them on the air.
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Director Ric Goodwin says the playwright “has woven nonfiction with fiction, realism with surrealism; it is at times a docudrama, at others a reflection and dream play.”
Many members of his 12-person cast play multiple roles. Jeremy Guerrero-Heideman portrays the group’s leader, Robert Matthews, with Henry Barre as former Order member Denver Parmenter who becomes a star witness for the prosecution team led by Lynne Doyle. Jimmie Choate plays the radio host.
Goodwin, an emeritus professor of theater at Ashland University in Ohio, says theater artists have an obligation not just to entertain but “to use our artistic imaginations to share historical, emotional truths in a way no history book could. Perhaps if we keep holding up the metaphorical mirror of history, eventually, hopefully we can recognize the reflections for what they truly are and learn from what we see.”
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Artistic Director Benny Sato Ambush said the theater’s mission for the Stage 2 series is to offer hard-hitting stories for those audience members who like to be challenged and engaged. Later this season, the company will present Lisa Loomer’s play “Roe,” which will take on new meanings after the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Roe v. Wade.
Goodwin and some cast members will take part in a “TalkWith” conversation following the Sept. 18 matinee. Anyone with tickets to any performance is welcome to attend.
‘God’s Country’
By Steven Dietz. Directed by Ric Goodwin. Runs Sept. 9-25, Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. Tickets are $29, $21 for college students and educators; $15 for youth. 941-488-1115; venicetheatre.org
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Venice Theatre opens season looking at white supremacy in docudrama
