By Sarah Re
Raw, captivating, provocative. Jumpers fearlessly faces the taboo subject with unapologetic honesty, presenting true stories and stark facts. Director, Dr. Chris Clark, aptly calls it a “visual podcast” where the haunting storytelling is presented by a mix of narrations, live music, and stunning physical theater and dance movements. You are captivated from the first moment and will not be able to look away. You will not be able to simply walk away from this piece. Your eyes will water, your heart will burn, and your mind will fill with questions and the desire to make a change.
Based on an article by Tad Friend, Jumpers follows the true story of several jumpers, survivors, therapists, politicians, suicidologists, friends and family, and even the bridge’s creator, Joseph Strauss. Set against a beautifully constructed Golden Gate replica, complete with moveable guard rail and towers, the play opens with a heart wrenching solo from the Quiet House band leader. The cast ensemble slowly emerges and stands firm as witness to the truth of the humanity, inhumanity, desperation, and needlessness of the over 1200 recorded deaths that have occurred over the edge of the Golden Gate Bridge.
A strong ensemble piece, each actor brings an engaging blank slate on which many characters can be writ. Paul Alarab (Ardon Smith) is one of the most compelling individuals portrayed, having died for what he truly believed in. Smith handles the character with care and understanding for this real person. The most heart wrenching character is that of 14-year-old Marissa Imrie (MaKenna Tinney) who, despite a close-knit bond with her mother, extensively researched bridge jumping as one of the most effective methods of committing suicide and plummeted to her death. Her mother, Renee Milligan (Elizabeth Golden) sued the city for wrongful death due to the long-standing negligence in creating a suicide barrier, but ultimately lost the case.
Rich with symbolic movement pieces, I especially appreciated the scene in which several actors physicalize what happens to the body upon impact. The moment is perfectly punctuated by Quiet House in the background. Music is woven throughout the piece, from the eerie screeches of the violin, mimicking the wind whipping across the bridge platform, to mournful duets and sweeping scores. It beautifully ties each breathtaking moment to the next.
This piece of art is not for the faint of heart and, due to the subject matter, I would not recommend bringing children. It runs a brief 45 minutes without intermission, and the night I went there was a 15-minute Talk-Back with the actors, which I greatly appreciated. I’d recommend coming a few minutes early to look at the wall of articles, pictures, newspaper clips from which the piece is devised.
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While there is gravity to the subject matter, it is also full of hope and spurs us to action. Will we be like so many who have desensitized themselves from the problem with a “jumpers gonna jump” mentality or, will we be our brother’s keeper? Will we be that person who smiles at a stranger, and gives them enough hope not to go over the edge? Are we truly doing all we can to lift those around us? Or will we be like the Golden Gate Leapers Association, taking bets on who will jump? What do we deny or avoid because it ruins the “aesthetic” of the community? These are burning questions that apply in our own lives and community, as well as for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. Suicide is a real issue, and I truly appreciated the honesty and boldness with which the production addresses the issue. A beautifully crafted piece that will live on in your heart.
UVU Theatrical Department Presents Jumpers, based on an article by Tad Friend
Noorda Theater 800 W. University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84058
September 28 – October 7 7:30 PM Matinee October 7 2:00 PM
Tickets $8 – $14
UVU’s Jumpers Event Page
UVU’s Jumper’s Facebook Event
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