“The Oppenheimer Project” (Oppenheimer 2.0)

Posted by Gail M. Burns - October 1998

D.J. McDonald and Jennifer Johanos have done a great deal of work and research on the life and times of J. Robert
Oppenheimer in creating their multimedia piece “Oppenheimer 2.0″, playing this
weekend only at the Manic Stage. And therein lies the problem with this
fascinating piece. Unless you too have an intimate knowledge of Oppenheimer’s life, you may find the evening confusing and frustrating.

The one thing everyone knows about J. Robert Oppenheimer is that he is
credited with the invention of the atomic bomb. It was his bomb that brought
an end to World War II when the U.S. dropped it on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It
brought an end to a war that had taken thousands of lives. And it brought an
end to the lives of thousands more innocent people in the process. It gave
mankind an awesome power to destroy – on that has weighed on our global
collective conciousness ever since.

McDonald and Johanos’piece examines what effect this world changing invention had on Oppenheimer
himself, as well as his colleagues at Los Alamos. McDonald has staged and
choreographed the piece beautifully. It is fascinating visually, and the
topic is one people are guaranteed to have feelings and opinions about.

But McDonald and Johanos can’t see the forest for the trees. The piece would
speak much more clearly to the audience if the Brechtian device of projected
titles and quotes was used. There is a slide show of scenes from Los Alamos and the U.S. atomic tests in the New
Mexico desert projected behind the actors during much of the show.
Interrupting those images periodically with words which would help the
audience place and define the action would be of great help.

This truly is a multimedia piece – combining theatre, music, dance, and the
slide images. The fine cast of three men, three women, and a young boy
brings a vast array of skills to the project – from juggling to sign language
to dance to a mean Groucho Marx impression. It is worth the price of
admission just to watch them work their way expertly through the highly
stylized maze of this production.

Once again, I must applaud the Manic Stage for bringing fresh and exciting new
theatre to north Berkshire, and for giving a venue to the extremely talented
artists and performers who live in this area. Whether or not this is a
perfect production, it is challenging and thought provoking, and has been
given a polished production.

“Oppenheimer 2.0″ runs this weekend only, through October 18, at the Manic Stage, 55 Main Street, North Adams. Call 662-2323 for tickets and
information. The Manic Stage is adjacent to Zoies restaurant, and
dinner/theatre packages are available.

copyright Gail M. Burns, 1999

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