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The People’s Temple Leigh Fondalowski in collaboration with Greg Pieroti, Stephen Wangh and Margo Hall Directed by Leigh Fondakowski At American Theater Company (ATC) 1909 W. Byron Street Chicago, IL Call 773-409-4125, www.atcweb.org Tickets $35 - $40 Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm Saturdays at 3 & 8 pm Sundays at 3 pm Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission Through September 22, 2008 "If you're born in this church, this socialist revolution, you're not born in sin. If you're born in capitalist America, racist America, fascist America, then you're born in sin. But if you're born in socialism, you're not born in sin." –Jim Jones Docudrama paints a scary portrait of “The People’s Temple” The docudrama of Jim Jones’ “Apostolic Socialism” cult is an ambitious attempt to tell the Temple’s complex story through interviews, media records and personal accounts. While this offers uniquely personal insights, it can muddle the larger picture of the impact of this cult. The use of much gospel music gives the impression that Jim Jones’ People’s Temple was a Christian religious group. Jones, a devoted communist, used Christian religion to entice white, blacks, rich and poor into practicing his brand of “social gospel.” Jones possessed a riveting charismatic presence that Darrel W. Cox channels effectively. We get glimpses of how the lure of faked faith healing and the companionship. The spirit of good with a harmonious multiracial atmosphere where folks lived together as they did good social works such as feeding the poor and counseling the street people, gave the Temple legitimacy. Its ability to put 500 members to the street on short notice to demonstrate gave it political clout.
The use of religion and social reform, fueled by fiery rhetoric and good deeds, appealed to those seeking the companionship of a common social structure. Jones, an admitted atheist, grew more delusional and paranoid as the press and government agencies began investigating his cult in the 1970’s. ATC’s production was much too long as it tried to cover too many documented stories that deluded the show’s focus. I liked having Stephen Jones (Darrel W. Cox), Jim’s son as the narrator but his impact got deluded with so many interviews and narrative statements. This makes the story emerge with a curious tone that is part what happened and part explanation and rationalization of why Jones had such control over his followers. I believe more emphasis on Jones’ slide into cruelty and physical and sexual abuse of his group would have raised the emotional impact of the tragedy that saw 912 followers drank the poison. This tragic event of that day get confusing and somewhat contradictory from the explanations offered in this show. Did most of the followers willingly drink the poison? (Probably). Were some forced to drank at gun point? (Not clear). Plus the fact that Jim Jones didn’t drink the poison but died of a gunshot isn’t made clear. Did her shoot himself? (Probably). These questions still linger.
For those not familiar with The People’s Temple, this show offers a personalized account of the string of events from the 1960’s until the tragedy of 1978 in a remote jungle in Jonestown, Guyana. With some trimming, the emotional impact would dramatically increase. As theatre, the show could be shorter and tighter. The topic sure needs to be covered. Recommended Tom Williams Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast Date Reviewed: September 8, 2008 |
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