Synopsis of the Gravedigger's Tango:
The Gravedigger's Tango is, at its most basic, a story about a young gravedigger, a cryptic headstone with no date of birth or death, and the associated tale spun by the cemetery's keeper (Laszlo) who holds sacred his role as caretaker of the grave sites.
Through this story, Ian Walker's play addresses the broader notions of love, death, progress and survival.
The Gravedigger's Tango is the winner of the 2006 Larry Corse Prize.
The Gravediggers Story:
The play unfolds through simultaneous and intertwined plots, with continuity provided by Laszlo's narration, as well as the fluid staging of two juxtaposed stories. Tying the two threads together is the mysterious, dateless headstone on a grave scheduled to be exhumed.
The young gravedigger -- who's come to the cemetery under his own pretenses -- has been hired to exhume old graves. The missing information on the headstone inspires the curiosity of the young gravedigger who pleads with Laszlo for the story behind the mystery. Laszlo complies by telling the tale of Isabella.
Isabella's Story:
Set in the English Moors, with a family facing the death of its gravely ill patriarch, Isabella's story confronts myriad moral conflicts -- about the role of modern medicine, the value of life, the choices characters make based on benevolence or greed.
Through the challenges faced by Isabella's family and through the concealed motives of the gravedigger and Laszlo, the play weaves between the various and shared questions of life and death.
The decisions ultimately made by the characters, speak to the best and worst of our humanity . . . and to the subjective gray areas of life in the face of moral choices.
About the Playwright - Ian Walker:
Bay Area playwright Ian Walker is the recipient of several awards -- among them the John Golden Prize for playwriting, and the Best of San Francisco Fringe Festival for directing. He is a musician and playwright, born to Pulitzer Prize winning composer Dr. George Walker and pianist and music historian Dr. Helen Walker-Hill.
He has worked as a counselor with runaway youths, and has used his theatrical background to implement creative improvisational theater programs in the field of AIDS education.
Previous productions include: A Beautiful Home for the Incurable, The Stone Trilogy, Ghost in the Light, and Vigilance.
The Players - San Francisco Production (2007):
The Gravedigger's Tango is presented by Second Wind Productions in San Francisco.
- Catz Forsman - Bertrand
- Madeleine Hansen - Penny Farthing
- Tony Johnston - Thomas Ashecombe
- Brian O'Connor - Geoffrey Pockworth
- Natalie Palan - Isabella Ashecombe
- Joseph Rende - Patrick Bulifant
- Ryan Tasker - Alexander Charon
- Doug Thornburg - Laszlo
- Kathryn Tkel - Claire
- Michael Vega - Rolland Thackery
- Shelby Wilkes - Rollie
The Venue:
The Gravedigger's Tango is at A Traveling Jewish Theater through July 28, 2007.
470 Florida Street
Reservations: (415) 508-5614
Tickets and Dates:
Tickets are $15-25 on Friday and Saturday performances / $12-20 on Thursdays and Sundays. Seating is first come, first served
Dates & Times
- Thursday, July 12 - 8:00p
- Friday, July 13 - 8:00p
- Saturday, July 14 - 8:00p
- Sunday, July 15 - 2:00p
- Thursday, July 19 - 8:00p
- Friday, July 20 - 8:00p
- Saturday, July 21 - 8:00p
- Sunday, July 22 - 2:00p
- Thursday, July 26 - 8:00p
- Friday, July 27 - 8:00p
- Saturday, July 28 - 8:00p