BRATTLEBORO — On Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday March 20, at 3 p.m., Winged Productions present the premiere of Paul Dedell's latest musical mystery play, The Man Who Defied God.
With musical direction by Susan Dedell, The Choir School, and guest violinist Moby Pearson, The Man Who Defied God tells the complicated and rich story of the prophet Jonah with humor, pathos, and insight. Both performances take place at St. Michael's Episcopal Church on Putney Road.
The Man Who Defied God is the third in a series of original mystery (miracle) plays written by Dedell, and tells the complex story of the prophet Jonah. Dedell wrote this production for The Choir School, which is a choral program for young people directed by his wife, Susan.
“Susan and I have embarked upon creating a series of modern mystery plays, which are contemporary musical productions based on the model of the medieval miracle plays,” he said in a news release. “This is our third original production, and we are excited to be locally reviving this wonderful theatrical tradition. The possibility with these plays for creativity and collaboration with different organizations is endless!”
Although the story of Jonah is set in the ancient Middle East during a time of conflict between the Jews and the Assyrians, the political and social conflict that is at the heart of the story is startlingly contemporary.
Jonah, an ordinary Jew, was commanded by God to bring a message of mercy and forgiveness to the enemy Assyrians in order to prevent them from ultimate destruction. Jonah runs away because he cannot bring himself to extend compassion to a people he hates and who hate him.
The Man Who Defied God follows Jonah on his journey through stormy seas, the belly of the whale, the fiery heat of the desert; witnesses his encounter with giant plants and devouring worms; and witnesses his struggle as he wrestles with God's mandate to show love for those unlike him.
“Jonah had plenty of physical courage, and plenty of commitment, but his world view was almost unavoidably limited by what he knew,” said Dedell. “Jonah saw himself as a right-thinking, right-acting man. Challenged to expand his vision, he gave in to fear."
For Dedell, this internal conflict provided the motivation for his composition.
“Fear limits our ability to live a full life, to be fully ourselves, whether it is fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of actual physical destruction. All of us are influenced by how we're brought up, by what we perceive as “right” - and it sometimes takes a strange and hard journey to start releasing those fears."
Beginning its third year, The Choir School is the latest of choral initiatives in Susan Dedell's career. The Choir School is dedicated to providing young people with vocal and musical skills and introducing them to the joy of choral singing. The Choir School added an introductory level program for younger children this year. She is also the director of the Brattleboro Concert Choir.