Calvin Again To Stage German-Language Play

From: Phil deHaan (dehp@calvin.edu)
Date: Tue Jan 14 2003 - 16:31:52 EST

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    January 13, 2003 == MEDIA ADVISORY

    For the 13th time since 1972 the German Department of Calvin College will be
    performing a German play staged in the original language.

    This year's production will be Max Frisch's "Biedermann und die Brandstifter:
    Ein Lehrstück ohne Lehre." It will be performed at 10 am on Thursday, February
    6 and at 8 pm on both Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8. All shows
    are $2 for students and $4 for adults and all shows will be held in Gezon
    Auditorium on Calvin's campus (tickets may be purchased in advance via the
    Calvin College Box Office or by calling 616-6282). Detailed program notes in
    English will be available at the performances. An abridged version of the play
    with vocabulary aids can be obtained in advance by calling the Calvin German
    department at 616-957-6361.

    The play, says Calvin professor of German James Lamse, is Frisch's response to
    a world clearly lacking a broadly convincing moral order. Rather than
    participate in the strenuous effort needed to establish a new moral order, Herr
    Biedermann instead constructs a world of moral pretense in which he can deny,
    among other sins, his culpability in the suicide of one of his employees.
    Ultimately Herr Biedermann brings upon his world the catastrophe it was largely
    his to prevent.

    "Though thought-provoking, as is characteristic of the German-language literary
    tradition," says Lamse, "Biedermann und die Brandstifter also has many lighter
    moments and is truly entertaining theater."

    Contact professor of German James Lamse at 616-957-6361

    -end-



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