Norwell Mariner
Justin Graeber / Coorespondent
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2003
A new face on the Company Theater stage has come from an unlikely place - The Rev. Victoria Weinstein of the First Parish Universalist Church in Norwell is playing anarchist Emma Goldman in Company's production of "Ragtime."
It may seem strange for a minister to be portraying an anarchist, but Weinstein sees a connection between her job and her character, who was known as a golden-tongued orator.
When describing her role in the show, Weinstein said, "it reminds us that the personal is political" - practically echoing a line her character says to the immigrant artist Tateh in the first act. She said she sees the show as a way to get people thinking about issues that are important to her - social justice, racial inequality - without preaching. (And maybe adding a little singing and dancing.).
"There are sermons in the show," she said, "but you don't have to be didactic about it."
As the granddaughter of immigrants herself, the show's depiction of the plight of immigrants in the end of the 19th century resonates strongly with her.
"The show is about freedom...the struggle to realize the American Dream," Weinstein said.
Goldman's character is something of a narrator, a "commentator on the action," according to Weinstein. "[Goldman] pops up at moments of crisis to speak the truths some of the main characters have trouble articulating." In real life, Goldman, a native Lithuanian, was a prolific lecturer who often delivered her speeches in English, German, and Yiddish. She attributed her political awakening to the Haymarket bombing in Chicago and reading the works of famous anarchists like German Johann Most. She was often arrested and even spent time in New York City's infamous Blackwell prison.
Weinstein had previous theater experience, but had not performed in a show for nine years before "Ragtime." She first came in contact with "Ragtime" after seeing it on Broadway and fell in love.
Since the First Parish Church does not hold services during the summer months, there was no conflict for the minister.
"The congregation is really supportive...I love them for it," Weinstein said.
"Ragtime," an adaptation of E. L. Doctorow's novel of the same name, is a musical about a nation losing its innocence through racial tensions, class warfare, and anti-immigration sentiment - set to a haunting new style of music called "ragtime". Goldman was an anarchist, an early feminist, and a rabid defender of labor rights. She is one of several actual historical figures woven into the story, alongside the likes of Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan, and Harry Houdini.
Weinstein also sees a strong connection between her work as a minister and theater itself.
"I find the theater to be a sacred space," she says. "People come to the theater to be transformed...they're looking for a catharsis." She said theater is another way to reach people when her church doors are closed.
The show's co-director, Zoe Bradford, praised Weinstein as a hard worker and "an interesting woman who has a lot of good ideas."
According to Bradford, it was Weinstein's idea to involve the hate-crime prevention group No Place for Hate in the production. Bradford said that "diversity is always our goal in casting," and the show features many black actors, but that she was uncomfortable with some of the language and racial epithets used in the show. No Place for Hate is a group that strives to promote diversity and racial tolerance. She has worked with the group through her ministry work. Representatives from No Place for Hate will be available after the Aug. 8 show for a question and answer period with the audience.
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