CuLTure
10 SiGNAL TriBuNe
NoVemBer 25, 2011
Local skating arena to showcase national, Cal rep presents louis Slotin Sonata, a blue glow to light the way home international competitors in holiday show Daniel Adams
Glacial Garden Skating Arena, 3975 Pixie Ave., will present its second annual holiday skating show, entitled “Holidays Around the World” and starring national and international local competitors, on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7pm and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:30pm. The show is directed by Necia Krueger, who also manages the
Knott’s Berry Farm Ice Show. “Up close and personal” on-ice seating is available for $20, and general admission grand stand seating is only $15, and tickets may be purchased online at showtix4u.com or at the door. -----------------------MORE INFORMATION (562) 429-1805 ext. 228
Steve Shaw
Culture Writer
There are many ways to tell of an historical event. In one person’s recount there may lay the villain, who in his arrogant need to show off causes ill fate and even death to befall those around him. Now, take that same historical event, and in another’s recounting of the details the villain becomes the hero, having made the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to save the lives of the very same victims who suffered at his hands in the first telling. Can a person be deemed devil and angel in the same historically “true” story? Of course he can…just ask Louis Slotin. California Repertory Theatre (Cal Rep) continues to part two of its “nuclear bill” for its 2011-12 season with a presentation of Louis Slotin Sonata by Paul Mullin, as helmed for production at the Queen Mary by internationally renowned director Eberhard Koehler. Trust me when I admit I had absolutely no interest in Louis Slotin or his story when I woke up the morning of Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, rolled out of bed and grabbed my first cup of coffee. On that day I couldn’t tell you who Louis Slotin was or knew anything of how he and his fellow scientists impacted all our lives back in the 1950s when the race for dominance over atomic power was a far more important race to run for mankind than any found in a NASCAR event. And if the name Louis Slotin appeared on any history test I’ve taken in my long school career, I have a feeling my answer was covered with a giant red ‘X’. Please allow me to enlighten you about this man, and about Cal Rep’s performance of his fate. Louis Slotin was born in 1910, in Winnipeg, Canada, to Jewish refugees from Russia. Even at an early age he showed great potential in mathematics and science, and earned his bachelor's of science degree in 1932, followed by a
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Alex Billings, Josh Nathan, David Vegh in Cal Rep’s Louis Slotin Sonata
master’s of science in 1933. His work in nuclear chemistry, and his research into nuclear biology and physics soon gained interest from the United States government. In 1944, he joined the team of scientists at Los Alamos, New Mexico, to perform critical testing for which eventually led to his building the core of Trinity, the first ever detonated atomic bomb. In a freak accident caused by the scientist himself, Mr. Slotin and his team witnessed the blue glow that enveloped the beginning of the end of his work and his life. Allow Cal Rep to now present for you the rest of this tale. This is a wonderful production as directed by Eberhard Koehler, infused with thought-provoking moments, combined with those hilarious and shocking as well. There is no way to say bravo enough to Josh Nathan (as Louis Slotin) for keeping me riveted to the stage and to his energetic and on-point performance as the title character. Nathan brought to Mr. Slotin both a sense of sympathy and a great helping of self-criticism. It cannot be easy to infuse such energy into a character that happens to be present on stage for most of the show’s runtime, but not once did I note Josh Nathan letting it wane. Another task for an actor that is not so easy is performing several characters for a production in one night. In this production the rest of the cast is charged with playing multiple characters to fill the story. Other notable performances enjoyed were by David Vegh, as Slotin’s boss, who brought a sense of older-brother protectiveness to his performance as the man in charge of the critical testing project at Los Alamos. Louis Slotin’s father was wonderfully interpreted by John Prosky, who, I have to admit, had me pulling out the Kleenex, darn him. I also enjoyed, once again,
watching Alex Billings (Slotin’s nurse) perform her roles within the production as she has a presence onstage that has me watching everything that she does. Rounding out the rest of this great cast were Craig Anton (whom I thankfully got to enjoy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Cal Rep’s first show in their “nuclear bill”), Robert Prior, Simon Brooke and Jerry Prell. It is both exciting and comforting to see that Cal Rep has determined to raise the bar even higher in its choice of productions and in its ability to obtain talent like the individuals here who sacrificed their time to bring Louis Slotin Sonata to us all. Not surprisingly, come the close of that same day, Nov. 18, 2011, I was driving home from the Queen Mary with the performance of Louis Slotin Sonata fresh in my mind and a need to know more about this ill-fated man. I have a great feeling you will do the same. My advice is to head to the Queen Mary to experience Cal Rep’s production. I have now formulated my own conclusions about this scientist genius. Villain or hero? Decide for yourself. Louis Slotin Sonata performances will continue in the Royal Theatre on board The Queen Mary Tuesdays through Saturdays through Dec. 10 at 8pm. No performances will be given Nov. 22–26 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Tickets are $20 general admission, and $15 for students, military and seniors (55 and older). Parking at the Queen Mary is $8 for those viewing the Cal Rep performance, and $6 for CSULB students and for those who dine on the ship. As an alternative, Long Beach Public Transit also runs directly to the Queen Mary to drop off and pick up of passengers. Check their listings for times. For more information, call (562) 985-5526 or visit calrep.org.