Many wonder if there might be a way to renew a lost faith or solve the problems of the world without using violence. These themes are explored in the University Theater's current production of \Zastrozzi,"" an intense tale about religion and revenge.
Tony Simotes, director of ""Zastrozzi,"" decided to take on this play in order to relate these dark themes to today's society.
""At the turn of the [20th] century, there were no direct lines. Zastrozzi [the protagonist] has a particular motive in his life, and the sword is a direct line, it says something very specific,"" Simotes said. ""Today, we're still in a similar place. The choices our government is making, the ones of the sword, may not be the best choices.""
The play is the story of Zastrozzi's vengeful quest to find and kill Verezzi, a young artist who killed Zastrozzi's mother. However, Verezzi turns to religion and convinces himself he cannot be a killer because he has too much love to give. Verezzi has outrun Zastrozzi all these years thanks to his tutor Victoria, who, after renouncing her own promise to the church, promises Verezzi's father she will always protect him.
The play is rich with romance, hidden truths and intense sword-fighting, all leading up to a shocking ending that looks at what it truly means to be good or evil.
Letecia Bryan, who plays Victoria, hopes audiences realize that everyone has different understandings of good and evil but that it is possible for us all to live together in peace.
""We need to look inside ourselves to find the peace within,"" Bryan said, ""and find where we fit in with the goodness of the world.""
Paul Carbonell, who takes on the criminal mind of Zastrozzi, presents a monologue at the start of the play that is intended, he says, to make audiences understand that ""the only way to make sense of life is to forget that it is a series of arbitrary and often meaningless events."" He also hopes audiences realize that violence can still occur today and we are all accountable, but he said we are fortunate enough to have a choice of how our life will play out.
""Zastrozzi"" also includes moments of farce when both Verezzi and Zastrozzi try to woo the same woman. While these love scenes may be surprisingly daring at times, they indicate similarities the two men share.
Andrew Elbert, who plays Verezzi, said the two characters actually complement each other.
""Zastrozzi forces Verezzi to become accountable for what he's done. He makes Verezzi understand that a man, which is all Zastrozzi is, could commit such atrocious acts,"" said Elbert. ""Verezzi realizes that he too is just a man, and thus is equally capable of committing all his crimes.""
""Zastrozzi"" poses a lot of relevant questions to the audience about religion and why evil can sometimes be seen as good. Carbonell hopes audiences will develop their own understandings of these questions and reach their own conclusions.
""Zastrozzi"" is a piece of theater that offers something for everyone and presents audiences with a new outlook on the battles currently being fought between good and evil.
