It is the dawn of a new era. The fascist government has stepped down and for the first time a democratically elected president is in power. The horrors of the tyrannical regime; the torturing, the disappearances, and the fear, are slowly becoming a thing of the past. A new presidential appointed board of inquiry has been set up to investigate war crime allegations. It all seems to be a ray of light after a long night, but not for Paulina Escobar; she can still feel the electric currents running through her body. She can still remember the doctor’s smell, the texture of his skin, and she can still hear Schubert playing as her torturer raped her.

    Stacy Searle, Thomas Azar, and Chris Hardin all give excellent performance in Ariel Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden”. Stacy Searle delivers yet another brilliant performance as the play’s heroine, Paulina Escobar. I am really impressed with Searle’s acting abilities. With her portrayal of the haunted, paranoid Paulina (quite an opposite role from her last character; the sexual and eccentric Gwen Landis in “The Fifth of July”), Searle shows exceptional versatility and range. I applaud Searle for delivering each line with adequate emotion, deranged humor, and style. Thomas Azar plays Paulina’s husband, Gerardo. Azar did very well in conveying the mental anguish of a man caught between believing and following his wife and what he believes is right. Chris Hardin plays the center of conflict as Dr. Roberto Miranda. For a large part of the play Hardin is bound and gagged as he listens to his fate being discussed. Hardin’s emotional confession and desperation are intense and believable. Also, not to be forgotten, are the four silent torturers (Jacob Cohen, Eugene Flynn, Amanda Rice, and Alison Tucker) that add to the oppressiveness of the play.

    The set design also appropriately added to the dark, oppressive air of the play. I was very impressed with the lighting and sound. Both elements really added to the play, especially the music. Congratulations to scenic designer Zachary Lawson, lighting designer Jeff Davis, and sound designer Eric Watkins on their work. Of the theater department productions that I have seen so far, I have by far enjoyed director Andrew Crusse production “Death and the Maiden” the most. While the play is not an edge-of-your-seat thriller, the plot does offer intense dialogue and a subtle twist. The play content is fairly dark, but an adequate amount of black humor is provided to it throughout. I highly recommend this play, but would advise against brining young children or the easily offended, due to the play’s sometimes graphic dialogue.