Southern Nebraska Register
S.T.A.G.E. Theatre will present “The Dream of Gerontius,” a theatrical rendition of St. John Henry Newman’s famous poem.
Performances will take place at The Sacred Heart Center for the Arts, 540 N. 31st St., Lincoln, March 7 at 7 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m.
Newman wrote “The Dream of Gerontius” after his conversion to the Catholic faith from his Anglican background. Using a character named Gerontius, Newman explores man’s spiritual journey as he passes through death to life on the other side. With the use of poetic language and inner thought, Newman explores an experience that can not only be imagined but also realized by knowing the human spirit and what God has revealed to man.
The S.T.A.G.E. production will be performed with actors representing the visuals Newman has created, in order to give the audience both an auditory experience of the poem and a visual one. The adaptation was written by Lee Ann Hotovy, and performers include Father Dominic Winter, Jerry Thraen, Teresa Creciun, MaryLynn Rauert, Caleb Guenzel and Isabelle Le Blanc.
Aside from Newman’s work, other poetic pieces will be presented, along with a discussion led by Lee Hotovy on the use of poetry as a medium of contemplation for Lent.
“My hope with the new Arts Center, is to provide a variety of mediums from theater to dance to the written word to grow deeper in our love of Him,” she said. “Saint John Paul II once said, ‘The purpose of Art is to lift the human spirit to God’, and that is the mission of S.T.A.G.E.”
Free-will offerings for the Lenten event will be accepted. The performance is recommended for mature teens through adults. Reserved seating is available by visiting stage4kids.com or at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4CADAE229-62254865-thedream#/.
