Home Student Life I Heard the Bell Toll

I Heard the Bell Toll

Written by Christine Schintgen

Saturday, 09 October 2004

Margaret’s life suggests that every human being has a purpose.  Every human being has worth.  Whatever our circumstance in life, whether we are deformed, malformed or unformed, we have a God-given place in the human family. – Cathal Gallagher Cast (In order of Appearance) Parisio ………………………………………………….... Kenneth Walker Madame Dijon ………………………………………….... Catherine Ryan Woman Guest ………………………………………..…… Angela Gordon Male Guest ………………………………………………. Scott Nicholson Margarita ………………………………………………… Deirdre Gordon Emilia ………………………………….………….…….... Rebekah Ryan Fra Luigi …………………………………………….… John Paul Meenan Elena ………………………………………………………. Carol Reaume Roberto ……………………………………………….……… Joseph Lees Reverend Mother ……………………………….…….. Laura VanderHulst Cristina Macreti …………………….………………….. Angela Reilander Sandro Macreti ………………………………………...…… Shane Westin Ceccha (Francesca) Macreti ………..…………………. Elizabeth O’Brien Signora Fiore …...………………………………………. Veronica Sebanc Hooded Men ……..…………….. Colin Devine Meyer, Michael Schintgen Sick People …………………………… Theodora Ferrant, Angela Gordon Production List Director ………………………………………………….. Christine Marlin Stage Manager …………………………………………...… Jenna Gannon Stage Hands ….………………………. Heather Braun, Michael Schintgen Costume Supervisor ………………………………...….. Pamela Compeau Costume Assistants …….......... Jenna Gannon, Jenna Henry, Rachel Stuart Make-up ..…….…… Angela Reilander, Rachel Stuart, Laura VanderHulst Light & Sound Technician …………………….………. Andrew Baklinski Set Design & Construction …....Colin Devine Meyer, Sean Divine Meyer, Jenna Gannon, Carol Reaume Publicity …………………………………..………………  Erin Nicholson Program Design ……………………………………………... Jenna Henry Artwork for Poster & Program ……...…………………….. Carol Reaume Photography …………………………………………………. Jenna Henry Refreshments ……………………….… Rachel Stuart, Laura VanderHulst Synopsis By every human standard Margaret of Castello should have become a bitterly unhappy girl. The odds against her were enormous. She was born blind, lame, a hunchback and a midget. While still a child, her parents walled her up in a cell to conceal her identity. After several years of confinement, her parents took her to a shrine hoping for a cure. When no cure was forthcoming, they abandoned her at the shrine. She was befriended by beggars who took her in, and taught her to be one of their own. In her early twenties Margaret entered a convent. Within a year she was asked to leave. Her fidelity to the rule was a reproach to the community, which had become lax. Not long afterward she joined the Mantellate. She spent the rest of her life tending the sick, visiting prisoners and praying. Some of the sick she prayed for made miraculous recoveries. Because of her devotion to works of mercy, she gained a reputation for sanctity. She died at the age of thirty-three. This play is not intended to be a biography of Margaret of Castello. It is an attempt to gain some insight into a remarkable woman with a remarkable character. In examining that character a theme seems to emerge: the triumph of faith over adversity. A faith that is lived to the fullest. Cathal Gallagher, playwright The events in this play take place in the towns of Metola and Castello, Italy, from 1287 to 1320.  When she first appears on stage in Act 1, Margaret is twelve years of age.  Thereafter, the play covers her life from the age of twenty to her death at thirty-three. Actors’ Commentary Kenneth Walker Parisio – As Parisio, I must be both a tyrannical, domineering, and egotistical father to Margarita, and a man who has command over a large army. The effort to accomplish this task and create this figure has produced quite a lot of excitement at this time in my life. The experience of this play will always live on in my memory, along with all those involved in this production. Catherine Ryan Madame Dijon – I hope that once the wine glasses at the banquet are filled, playing the role of a French woman will come to me more naturally! The story of Blessed Margaret is a very inspiring one, and I am sure that participating in the portrayal of her life will merit her intercession. Angela Gordon Woman Guest – It’s fun to bring back the medieval times in this play through our costumes and props. I enjoy playing a rich woman and acting with everyone else. It’s also fun being backstage and watching the play take shape. Mr. Scott Nicholson Male Guest – I've enjoyed my first role in an Academy production. Playing a boisterous bon-vivant has been interesting, and I'm always ready to practice being a slightly inebriated dinner guest. What's more, it appears that people appreciate my odd sense of humour. Deirdre Gordon Margarita – I think that the most difficult aspect of playing Margarita was portraying her deformities. Yet I also believe that entering into her weakness and vulnerability was also the most rewarding. It opened my eyes to the day-to-day challenges that the handicapped face. Margarita did not let these difficulties stop her. Her weakness was truly her strength. Margarita’s courage confirmed my respect for the inestimable value of every person’s life. In the words of Fra Luigi: “Therein lies the wonder: that she who was given so little can offer so much.” Rebekah Ryan Emilia – Playing the role of Emilia has been interesting, for she is a many-layered character. In her we see the struggle of motherly tenderness alongside contrasting cruelty and compliance to her dominating husband. Putting these aspects together has been exciting. Mr. John Paul Meenan Fra Luigi – Fra Luigi is a character who comes and goes in the play, and, in the end, he comes as he goes. That is, he is a rather stable and simple (in the good sense) figure amongst the panoply of people surrounding Margaret, representing, I suppose, the voice of the Church and of reason. He is convinced of Margaret’s sanctity not on her miracles or visions, but on her virtues and her patience in suffering; I see him as a Padre Pio type of friar, who cares much for Margaret, but expresses his solicitude through prayer and good advice. Carol Reaume Elena – Playing Elena wasn’t too much of a challenge for me because she is so much like me. She’s sassy and a bit snippy. But she has a good heart and she is loyal to those she loves. The only aspect I had to get around was having a husband. Joseph Lees Roberto – My role as Robert was the kind of role I have become accustomed to. Roberto is a beggar who attempts to provide comic relief in the play. My experience of playing this role was fun because although it is a typical Joe Lees role, it was very unique. Laura VanderHulst Reverend Mother – Acting in this play has been a fun experience. The prioress is a rather complex character who seems to be torn between sympathy and guilt. It was a rather challenging role but I enjoyed it immensely. It has been great to be able to act again and I have enjoyed the interaction with my fellow students. Angela Reilander Cristina Macreti – Even though it’s time consuming, I have enjoyed being part of our school’s play because I have always loved drama and because of the character I play. Besides her beautiful costume, Lady Macreti’s character is as entertaining to play as it (hopefully) is for the audience to watch. Elizabeth O’Brien Ceccha Macreti – It’s been great fun acting in this play.  I’m especially enjoying playing a new role, something quite different from my last character in Dr. Faustus. Whatever the play or character, however, it’s awesome being part of an Academy production. Shane Westin Sandro – It has been fun working with Liz and Angela.  They’re great actresses, and they make it easy for me to play the role of a grumpy, overbearing father and dominating husband. Veronica Sebanc Signora Fiore – Getting to experience healing powers is pretty radical! Thank You To Fr. John Burchat and St. Hedwig’s Parish for the use of the hall, and for their prayers. To Madonna House, St. Joe’s, the Baklinski family, and the Henry family for assistance with costumes. To Ted Baklinski for help with printing. To Ted Ferrant for assistance with lighting. To Terry Henry for filming the production. To the many generous volunteers who baked treats for intermission. And, of course, to Our Lady Seat of Wisdom and Blessed Margaret of Castello for protection and guidance!

 

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