Thursday, 5/22/97 Group with community’s needs in mind premiers
play filled with compassion THEATER: Modern ‘Romeo and Juliet’
tells story of love, AIDS-like disease
By Nerissa Pacio Daily Bruin Contributor Sex, love and AIDS:
three words that seem inseparable in the ’90s. But "Beirut," a
one-act play written in 1985 by Alan Bowne, explores earlier
predictions of relationships crossed with the deadly disease. In
"Beirut," victims of an HIV-like plague are quarantined to camps,
abused and humiliated by authorities and branded with a "P" for
positive. For the two main characters in "Beirut," which runs every
weekend through the end of May as part of a one-act series at the
North Hollywood Creative Center, the only hope for living is the
love for each other they once shared. "It’s a frightening thought
that someone in 1985 actually thought that there would be
quarantine camps and that people with a disease akin to AIDS would
be black-listed," says Shana O’Neil, director of "Beirut." "Then
again, it’s a frightening world and there are a lot of people out
there living with loved ones who have AIDS. This story puts the
audience in the position to think of what they’d do in that
situation." Like a modernized version of "Romeo and Juliet,"
"Beirut" tells the story of two young lovers, Torch and Blue, who
are forbidden to see one another or ever make love again because of
Torch’s imprisonment as a diseased outcast in Beirut. Blue sneaks
into Torch’s camp so she can be with him and convince him to let
her stay so that they can die happily together. "First, I can live
without risk and feel dead. Or second, I can risk death and feel
alive," says Blue, played by Maria Bush, a UCLA alumna and Creative
Center co-founder. Bush recognizes the challenges preparing for
such an emotional role. "It is difficult getting into the head of
someone who is so willing to give up (her) life for someone else,"
Bush says. "And yet, it is a wonderful feeling to act out what love
really is." "Beirut" runs in repertory with a shorter one-act play
titled "Throwing Your Voice," which portrays two young couples in
an after-dinner socio-political debate about the abusive commercial
practices of the United States in foreign nations. Both plays allow
the audience to think about a range of current issues. Everything
from personal relationships to the AIDS epidemic, human rights, and
foreign policy is encompassed in this one-act festival. "There is
violence and swearing, but it’s also a love story with a message,"
O’Neil says of "Beirut." "We chose both plays because they have a
serious message. ‘Throwing Your Voice’ is very much about human
rights while ‘Beirut’ is about ending up with the love of your life
at all costs." Although the Creative Center focuses on acting with
the one-act plays as their first major production, the center’s
actual goal is much broader. With members ranging in age from 16 to
80, the center advocates transformation and expression at any age
through the many genres of art. Committees focusing on music, film,
writing, theater and art exposure for urban youth are open to
anyone who is interested. "The Center just finished a film short
titled ‘Harvest Moon,’" Bush says, "And many of us are also
participating in teaching free acting classes in Watts. It’s a
great way to allow kids the opportunity to express themselves
artistically, and it also allows members of the center to touch the
children’s lives." Other ongoing projects at the Creative Center
include the production of a music CD organized by UCLA alumna and
center co-founder John McGinnis, monthly film screenings, poetry
publications, and social gatherings. THEATER: "Beirut" and
"Throwing Your Voice" run every Friday and Saturday through May 24
at the Creative Center in North Hollywood. Tickets are a suggested
donation of $8 for general seating. For more info call (818)
763-0323. UCLA alumna Maria Bush (l.) plays Blue in "Beirut." James
Saxenmeyer plays Torch. The play tells the story of a woman who is
in love with a man quarantined for being infected with an HIV-like
virus. James Saxenmeyer plays Torch in "Beirut."