'Doctor Faustus' at Flathead a night of soul searching

The Flathead High School Theatre Department will explore the classic tale of a man, his soul and the devil in Christopher Marlowe's “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus” April 29 and May 1at 7 p.m. and April 30 at 6 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Theatre at FHS. 

Fed up with scholarly pursuits such as physics, mathematics, philosophy and divinity, Doctor Faustus sells his soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years of unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. With a demon at his beck and call and the dark arts at his disposal, Faustus travels the globe to satisfy his insatiable desire for power. 

Through encounters with angels, dragons, the Seven Deadly Sins, and classical figures ranging from Helen of Troy to Alexander the Great, Faustus must determine whether or not he has made the right bargain. In the end, introspection does little to save the good doctor and as his 24 years come to a close, the debt collector, Lucifer, comes knocking.

“Doctor Faustus is about the path of one’s soul and the search for fulfillment. Faustus is not satisfied with earthly knowledge, so he turns to sorcery to provide him with happiness,” said director Wendy Putzler. “Finally, when the eleventh hour comes and Faustus feels the heat from the fires of hell, the question of redemption is put to the test. Is the soul a man’s to give? Is it the devil’s to take? In the end, can forgiveness save even the ruined Faustus’s soul? Maybe redemption is the fulfillment Faustus is seeking all along.”

“The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus” is the best-known work of English Renaissance playwright Christopher Marlowe. The play is based on the story of Faust, the central character of a German legend, who sold his soul to the devil for unlimited knowledge and power. This production will pair this classic tale with innovative stagecraft and a distinctive, yet unusual setting.

Putzler has decided to set the play in the Industrial Revolution, a setting that easily displays how the need for more can consume us.  

“There are magical elements and the Seven Deadly Sins act as centerpieces who take us on Faustus’s adventures,” Putzler said. “Bethany Shehan leads our technical crew and her crew has done a fantastic job with lights and sound. Liz Sykora and her Theatre Arts Class have led the stage creation and they continue to amaze me with their great ideas.”

The Flathead High School Theatre Department is collaborating with the International Baccalaureate Program at FHS to develop the production. 

 The show features Kyle Wood, Sarah Carbajal-Jepsen, Aryn Phillips, Caitlynn Ackroyd, Keenan Cunningham, Jackson Davey, James Early, Cassidy Brown, Ciana McConnell, John Martiny, Alex Robinson, Zachariah Timm, Jhalen Salazar, Micah Moore, Mackenzie Williams, Brittany Kretske, Logan Barthel, Pascale Yacavone, Beki Hafemeyer, Katie Keller, Lilli Pate, Nick Brooks, Sydney Boveng and Kayman Henderson.

The technical crew consists of Alaina Mothershead, Katie Haas, Dana Pfeifer, Alaya Wood, Sarah Ward, Jenna Wilke, Sierra Hanson, Kendra Wilke, Keston Hemsley, Madison Olson, Stephanie Woodland, Catie Henderson and Kenzie Meyer.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the Flathead HIgh School office and Photo Video Plus.