Sweet Release is a production that uses contemporary movement, audio and visual elements to portray the vast contrast between traditional Romanian and American attitudes toward death.
While American culture suffers from a chronic phobia of death, Romanian culture takes a more light-hearted approach. When facing death, Romanians do not mourn. Life before, during and after death is a time to rejoice. Even in death, there is only time to embrace the gift and relish its glory.
The piece is influenced by a Romanian cemetery, located in the village of Sapanta, which is called the Merry Cemetery. It is within this cemetery that life is celebrated, and the memory of the deceased is a reminder that death is only a part of life. The colorfully painted grave markers are adorned with portraits and humorous verses about the individuals that lie below.
Sweet Release is a refreshing collaboration of horror and humor. Although its focus is the contrast between Romanian and American attitudes toward death, the split stage offers much more.
Separated by a single black curtain, the stage resembles a tennis court. Its opposing contenders are man and woman, body and soul, sky and earth, and, of course, the mourning of death and the celebration of life.
Its interpretations of Romanian and American culture were entertaining and thought provoking, though the use of mixed media was a bit overwhelming at times. Contemporary movement was, for a majority of the piece, accompanied by a visual or photographic feed. This technique, while impressive, was occasionally distracting because of the content of the photographic and video displays. The use of mixed media would have been less distracting had they been separated from the bodily movements of the performers.
Since the piece was presented in a relatively small theater, it was difficult to give the movement (which took place simultaneously on both sides of the dividing curtain), along with the video and pictorial images, the undivided attention they deserved.
Sweet Release is a Ravenous Productions and What?Works production, directed by Joseph Ravens. Performance dates were Sept. 21 through Oct. 8 at the Gallery 37 Storefront Theater. Although Ravens does not plan on re-installing Sweet Release in the near future, he is enthusiastic about future production plans.