Violence (Jason Dressen) threatens the suffering Prometheus (Garry Geiken) in the November 10 Reader’s Theatre Production of Prometheus Bound. Photo by Diane Mountford.
Cheers and thunderous applause from The Warren’s capacity crowd of neighbors followed Workhouse Theatre Company’s (WTC) November 10 performance of Prometheus Bound. The third in WTC’s Reader’s Theatre series, this particular show was the first to feature an all-Camden cast.
“The actors and artists involved with this reading brought their skills and talents to the table,” said artistic director Jeff Redman. “Each of them has years of experience in theatre outside of Camden. This was their first opportunity to practice their craft in their own neighborhood and I think they appreciated that. I know the audience appreciated that.” As if in support of that sentiment, applause and whistles followed Redman’s pre-show remarks regarding the local nature of the players, which featured Garry Geiken as Prometheus, but also included Camden residents Wayne Anderson, Heidi Berg, Jason Dressen, Tina Fredrickson, Jeremiah Gamble, Jeff Johnson, Doreen Keuseman, Noe Tallen, and director Diane Mountford.
Prometheus Bound distinguished itself from Workhouse Theatre’s two previous Reader’s Theatre productions, both in terms of cast size (large, at nine) and in that it was WTC’s first foray into “the classics.” The play, an ancient Greek tragedy that dates to around the 5th century BC, could be considered a challenging venture for a neighborhood-oriented theatre company. But the assembled audience followed Geiken’s every dynamic, stirring word. Most of them then departing to local Camden establishments (Rix and Papa’s Pizza) afterwards, capping off a night of entertainment close to home that simply would have been unavailable just one year ago.
“I am overwhelmed by the support of the Camden community to our efforts,” says Redman. “Each new production, each new artistic choice we make has been appreciated by our audience. This is just an example of the deep passion for the arts and the commitment to the neighborhood that the residents of Camden hold. I expect that our audience will continue to grow exponentially. I only hope we have enough seats to hold them all.”
Workhouse Theatre makes its next appearance at Holiday on 44th. Outdoors and amidst other festivities on the evening of December 1, the company will perform a succession of scenes from Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Caro l at The Warren (44th and Osseo Road). More than one actor from
Prometheus Boun d will be featured amongst an array of local talent offering a WTC interpretation of this holiday classic. The scenes will be directed by Leann Olson, who last directed for WTC in their October production of Marsha Norman’s
’Night, Mother.