The Man Who Could See Through Time

The Stage 3 Theatre will present the area premiere of a fascinating new play by Terri Wagener, The Man Who Could See Through Time, opening on April 20th and playing through May 13th at the Stage 3 Theatre in downtown Sonora.

The two-character play tells the story of an aging physics professor and an artist whose paths cross because of the death of a young scientist. The young man had been the professor's student, but had gone on to surpass the teacher in his research and discoveries, earning a posthumous Nobel Prize for his work. He was also the young artist's lover, and his early death affected her deeply. When asked to create a bust of the professor, she willingly accepts the assignment so that she might understand a little more about the man who exerted such a powerful influence on her lover.

Over the course of the play, both the artist's and the scientist's assumptions and values are tested as they confront each other with intense feelings of loss, regret, envy, love and pride. The age-old battle between the value of science and art in human life is cleverly presented with humor and drama, drawing on the inspirational of Albert Einstein, a scientist who deeply believed in the divine spark of creativity that resides within every human being.

Local audiences from the valley to the foothills will be pleased to welcome back two popular actors whose lives actually imitated art when they met and fell in love during the Fallon House production of Shadowlands in 1994. Jonathan Farwell and Debbie Note are bringing their significant talents to bear on The Man Who Could See Through Time.

Jonathan's long acting career has included Broadway, Hollywood, television, film, and regional theatre throughout the country. Over the course of his career he has appeared opposite Maggie Smith, Margaret Hamilton, Richard Chamberlain, Maureen O'Sullivan and Nancy Marchand, as well as stage luminaries Ellis Rabb, Rosemary Harris and Eva LeGallienne. His last Broadway appearance was in The King and I as The Kralahomn, where he also understudying Yul Brynner's leading role. Prior to that he was featured in the Broadway production of Amadeus, and later toured the U.S. and Canada as the Mozart-hating composer, Salieri, in that play. He has also recorded over fifty books for the blind through the Library of Congress.

When invited to guest-star as C.S. Lewis at Columbia Actor's Rep production of Shadowlands in 1994, Jonathan almost turned down the j ob when he was told his leading lady would be the area's Musical Comedy Diva, Debbie Note. He was told she had played such roles as Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Mama Rose in Gypsy, and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Not certain that this qualified her to play the formidable Joy Gresham in Shadowlands, and with no assurance that she had ever done much "straight drama," he accepted the job with, as he puts it, "considerable trepidation." He went, they met, she conquered, and the rest is history. She was, in fact, says Jonathan, "an actress of such grace and accomplishment that I had no choice but to marry her."

Debbie Note received her degree in Drama and Voice from Stanford University, and continued to pursue her twin passions, singing and acting, while also pursuing a practical career in advertising. While living in Modesto, Debbie appeared in many productions for Modesto Civic Theatre, Modesto Performing Art s, Townsend Opera Players, Stockton Civic Theatre, Columbia Actors' Repertory and the Sacramento Theatre Company.

After returning to Oregon, both became involved with the Actors' Theatre, where Jonathan had both acted and directed. They were married on stage in 1995 after a Sunday matinee of Shadowlands, the play that originally brought them together. Since that time they have worked together in many shows at the Actors' Theatre, including Love Letters, Same Time Next Year, Sylvia, and The Man Who Could See Through Time.

Filled with insight, humor and even a touch of romance, the play is a tour-de-force for the two actors, who, both gently and forcefully, bring each other into a new appreciation and understanding of the deep connection between art and science.

The play will open at Stage 3 on April 20th and play through May 13th. Friday and Saturday performances are April 20, 21, 27, 28, May 4, 5 and 11, 12. Thursday performances are scheduled for April 26, May 3 and May 10th. Sunday matinees will take place on April 29, May 6 and May 13th, Mother's Day. Thursday curtain is at 7pm, Friday and Saturday curtain is at 8pm., and Sunday curtain is at 2pm. For more information and reservations, please call the box office at 532-1778.

There will be a preview performance on Thursday, April 19th at 7pm. as a fundraiser for The Emblem Club Scholarships. Tickets to the preview are $12.50 and include intermission refreshments. For preview tickets please call: Francis Benitas at 209-532-1325.