Opening on March 6, 2020, Lamplight Theatre Company is presenting an original play, Not Yet, Pista, a story of the Holocaust and the horrors that a family went through. With all the dangers surrounding them, even the Nazis could not sever the bond of two brothers. (Not recommended for children under the age of 12.)
Director Eldon Randall answered some questions about this show and it’s obvious he’s thrilled to be working on this project.
FFR: What is your favorite part of this production?
ER: Seeing the growth/development of my actors.
FRR: Tell us about your cast.
ER: Most of them have very little acting experience but are amazing performers. They come from various backgrounds and life experiences because of their ages: 14-40’s.
FRR: What is your background and training as a director?
ER: I have been performing since the early age of 4. As soon as I was able to memorize, my mom had me onstage. I graduated from BYU with my degree in Theater Education. I taught Drama for 28 years before retiring. I have directed shows at the high school level as well as community theater and the Hale Theatre in Orem, Utah.
FRR: What is the biggest challenge of directing in general?
ER: Getting men to audition.
FRR: What is the biggest challenge of directing this show?
ER: Because the show is written about the life of a Holocaust survivor, it is portrayed in short vignettes. Trying to make everything flow evenly has been challenging but I love where this piece is going.
FRR: What are the surprises and delights you’re finding in directing this show?
ER: The research we’ve done and the buy in of my cast in telling the story.
FRR: What is the biggest disaster you’ve had as a director?
ER: A 3-act play performed in about 45 minutes because the actors weren’t memorized, leaving out all of act two and half of act three!
FRR: What is your greatest success as a director?
ER: Having former students tell me that my theater program had saved their lost and wondering lives.
FRR: How is it working with this demographic of cast and crew, compared to other cast/crews you’ve worked with?
ER: This is a good challenge for me because of the inexperience that the group brings. But they are hard workers and want to do their best. I have also had very talented casts that have presented a different kind of challenge.
Next we asked some questions to the Production Crew.
FRR: What have been the challenges of this project?
PC: Budget and doing all three jobs ( Set, Lights and Sound.)
FRR: What kind of research and planning went into creating these designs?
PC: Because we are doing this in the round, we want to immerse the audience into the setting. The audience will be a part of the concentration camp. Very close and intimate.
FRR: What kind of effect do you hope your audience will see and feel as a result of your design?
PC: I hope they get a feeling of what the author went through. (Not Yet, Pista was adapted from the diary by Pista Nasser and written for the Stage by Stephen “Pista” Nasser
Here is what some of the actors from Not Yet, Pista have to say.
FRR: What is it about this role/play that made you want to audition?
JOD: Joshua O. Dold (Teenage Pista Ensemble) I did not audition for this play because of the roles, but because of the unique opportunity offered by it’s living author character.
FRR: What have you found out about yourself as you have been rehearsing for this role?
JOD: I have learned some of my unconscious association with hoe younger people think, for better or worse.
FRR: What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned while working on this production?
JOD: We researched the story of Fritz Haber, a chemist, who’s work is associated with the eventual development of Zyclon B.
FRR: What is it about this role/play that made you want to audition?
BD: Bradly Duhon (Uncle Karoly, Ensemble) I believe in the positive message of the show.
FRR: What is the craziest/funniest experience you’ve ever had on stage? BD: I was in a production where nearly every cast member got a head injury during the run.
FRR: What is it about this role/play that made you want to audition?
JS: Jonathan Saul (Elderly Pista) I like the idea of the story, and loved that it is a true story. My family is Jewish so I feel particularly connected to it.
FRR: What have you found out about yourself as you’ve been rehearsing for this role?
JS: I find this role very challenging. Finding a balance between being a narrator and a person reliving a horrific experience has been tough.
FRR: What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned while working on this production?
JS: Just the history of WWII in general. The complete disregard for human life and dignity.
Lamplight Theatre Company presents Not Yet, Pista, by Stephen “Pista” Nasser and Ann Tane Raskin.
Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 S 900 East, Draper UT 84020
March 6-7, 9, 13-14, 16 7:30PM; 20-23, 28, 2020 7:00 PM
Contact: 801-572-4144
Tickets: $12-15
Draper Theatre website
Lamplight Theatre Company Facebook Page
Draper Historic Theatre Facebook Page
Not Yet, Pista Facebook Event
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