The Man From Earth

On February 13, 2014, The Space Between Theatre Company opened our production of The Man from Earth. This opening marked the first time in The Space Between's eight-year history that we had presented a full production at The DiFiore Center, located at 307 N. Main in St. George.

This deceptively simple play about a 35-year-old history professor, who suddenly leaves his teaching job, challenged audiences to examine what they know and believe about history, humankind, the past and the future. 

Written by one of the original Star Trek series writers, Jerome Bixby, the play begins when a highly-regarded history professor suddenly quits his college teaching post. His friends and colleagues demand to know why. His answers shock and disturb his friends, and raise ever-deeper questions about the very nature of humankind and their most closely-held beliefs. What starts out as a friendly gathering soon builds to an unexpected and shattering climax.

Jerome Bixby was a prolific sci-fi writer best known for his episodes of Twilight Zone and the original Star Trek series.  He developed the play over 30 years and dictated the final section to his son. The Man From Earth was his last work.

Most of the local cast and crew of The Man from Earth were new to The Space Between. The exceptions were John Parkinson, co-founder of TSB and Producer of the play; Bob Baumann, who was the Director here, had appeared in a TSB film and play; and Richard Hill, who had directed a past TSB play.

Performances were at The DiFiore Center, 307 N. Main, St. George.   The DiFiore Center is handicapped-accessible.

Presented on Thursday through Saturday (curtain up 7:30pm) on the following dates:
o   February 13, 14, 15
o   February 20, 21, 22
o   February 27, 28 and March 1
o   March 6, 7, 8

Samantha Baumann

Melanie Camire

Jarom Brown

Craig Harrison

Megan Holt

Dr. Kelly Olsen

Parker Owen

Edith

Sandy

Dan

Gruber

Linda

John

Harry

The actors’ first reading of “The Man From Earth”, clockwise from 12:00: Craig Harrison, Melanie Camire, Kelly Olsen, Parker Owen, Jarom Brown, John Parkinson (partial view), Lorie Hawley, Bob Baumann, Barb Hanks, Christian Navarrete, Megan Holt.

Once again, a nearly-magical transformation has taken place. From this disparate group of people springs a wonderful community. The common threads – love and devotion to theatre – weave a strong bond between the actors, and between the actors and the audience.

• “When a new production is being prepared a community is formed,” says producer, John Parkinson. “The intention is to share individual and collective skills to create an experience that will enlighten and entertain. At its best, the performance becomes the pebble that radiates ripples to the larger community, and all of its members are changed.”
  
  
• Lorie Hawley has worked with The Space Between since the beginning, offers her thoughts. “When I’m involved in a play, I spend so much time with a talented group of people, and develop such a sense of family. Sometimes the intense subject of the play will affect my personal life. I played Bessie (a character with leukemia) in Marvin’s Room when I myself was battling cancer. When I was in the play, We Never Danced, about life after death, I was searching for a better connection to God. Being in Exposed, I learned about the fallout and the damage to the population in this beautiful area. Being part of this theatre group has enriched my life in so many ways.”
  
  
• In the words of Dr. Kelly Olsen, who plays The Man from Earth’s lead character, John, “There is nothing like bringing a character to life that is so different than you, and making that emotional connection with the audience."

This marks the first time The Space Between has presented a full production at The DiFiore Center, which offers a “chamber theatre” environment. John Parkinson says, “This creates an intimate actor/audience relationship and enhances the immediacy of the give-and-take, both on-stage and off.”