Posted: 3/26/03

Local actor fills role with global perspective

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

Stephen Anthony, a junior at Forest Lake High School, has racked up an impressive resume over the years.

In perhaps one of his most poignant roles yet, Anthony has taken on the role of Jakub in The Childrenís Theatre Company production of ìKorczakís Children.î

Written by Jeffrey Hatcher, the play tells the true story of Janusz Korczak, a writer, educator and childrenís advocate of Jewish descent who created orphanages run as democracies.

The play is set in Korczakís last orphanage, in the Warsaw ghetto during the Nazi occupation. While Korczak did not survive the Holocaustóhe died along with his children in Treblinkaóhis diary tells the story of his last days with the children and his commitment to living life as if it is a cherished gift.

It is this tale which comes to life on stage. A dark tale of the results at war, coincidentally being staged while this nation is at war.

ìThe recent events in our works have made the play seem even more timely,î Anthony said. ìOur entire cast sat down and talked about the war in Iraq and how it is similar to the play. We hope we can help our audiences to realize the painful and devastating repercussions of war and spread the message of peace and hope.î

Though Anthony often plays the lead in productions, he said it wasnít the role of Jakub, but the historical significance of the work.

As Jakub, Anthony plays one of the older children in the orphanage. A would-be-lawyer who seeks justice and takes anything and everything seriously in the confines of the orphanage and the court within the orphanage, doling out punishments such as apologies, chores and even banishments.

At CTC, Anthony has previously been cast as Alexander in ìAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Dayî and as Charlie in ìCharlie and the Chocolate Factory.î

ìItís true that this show isnít really like those Iíve done at the Childrenís Theater in the past,î Anthony said. ìIt has been a unique experience but is still very rewarding. Retelling this horrific chapter in our worldís history is difficult for all of us, but it is very important that we keep this story alive so it is never forgotten.î

While unsure what his future entails, Anthony said acting will play a part in his life.

ìMy plans for the future are undecided as of now, but I plan on being involved in theater and the arts in some way in college,î he said. ìI get a lot of satisfaction out of acting and may pursue it as a career.î

A leader

Leading the 30-member cast as Korczak is Clyde Lund.

A regular at CTC and several other theaters as well as a veteran of film, Lund leads the actors in the show as Korczak led the children in the Warsaw Ghetto.

ìClyde is a wonderful actor and a great man to work with,îAnthony said. ìHe has also been a good role model for all of the kids in the show. He truly acts as a leader for all of the children mirroring Dr. Korczak in the play.î

Korczak

Janusz Korczak may not be as familiar name as Anne Frank, but his stamp on the world is significant nonetheless.

ìJanusz Korczak is a true hero,î said Peter C. Brosius, CTC artistic director. ìI wanted to celebrate his life theatrically and share his extraordinary commitment to children with our audiences. Jeffrey Hatcher has taken a monumental set of circumstances and made them intimate, tender, funny and deeply moving.î

Born in July 1878 or 1879, he is remembered for founding the first national childrenís newspaper, training teachers in moral education and working in juvenile courts defending childrenís rights.

He is author of ìHow to Love a Childî and ìThe Childís Right to Respect.î His Declaration of Childrenís Rights, though unfinished, formed the basis for the United Nationís Declaration of Childrenís Rights.

Rights included in that declaration include: The child has the right to be appreciated for what he is, the child has the right to protest an injustice, the child has the right to respect for his grief and the child has the right to make mistakes, among others.

Showtimes/tickets

ìKorczakís Childrenî is running through April 19 at the Childrenís Theatre Company, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis. Tickets are $9-22 for children, seniors and students and $15-28 for adults.

The play is recommended for children at least 9-years-old and adults.

ìKorczakís Childrení is a play for children,î said playwright Hatcher. ìIt is not for the very young but it is for children old enough to understand. Children are the weakest and most innocent victims of war, often by way of what is not called ëcollateral damage,í but the deaths of Korczak and his orphans was not the result of stray shells or bullets. Their deaths were coolly deliberated. It is an atrocity, part of the worldís history and the history of children.

And while there is everything to mourn in this story, it is also a testament to goodness, decency and the determination of Korczak and his children.î

A Pay What You Can performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Tickets for the Pay What You Can performance are on sale and available at the ticket office or by calling 612-874-0400. The suggested minimum price is $1 per ticket with a maximum of six tickets per order.

For more information on any of the shows, call the Childrenís Theatre at 612-874-0400 or visit www.childrenstheatre.org.

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