UW-Fond du Lac Theater Department’s fall production of “The God Committee” examines life and death debate

Posted 10/2/2009—The UW-Fond du Lac Theater Department will present “The God Committee” by Mark St. Germain Nov. 4-8 in the Prairie Theater, 400 University Dr., Fond du Lac. Show times are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

St. Germain explores the issue of organ donation and the moral, ethical and emotional debate surrounding these decisions in this engrossing drama which is a Fond du Lac premiere of a new play.

The setting is the fictional St. Patrick’s hospital Board Room on St. Patrick’s Day where a transplant selection committee meets under extraordinary circumstances to debate who should receive a healthy heart that is unexpectedly available.

According to Richard Gustin, UW-Fond du Lac communication and theater arts professor and producer/director of the play, medicine, money and morality clash in this cross between “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House”.

“The twists and turns of ‘The God Committee’ probe the inner workings of an ethical decision that will literally be a matter of life and death for both their patients and their program,” said Gustin. "The play is, at times, very funny and consistently entertaining. Audiences will be laughing and thinking deeply at the same time - a great evening of theater."

The seven-member all UW-Fond du Lac student cast includes Rachel Reinbold, Fond du Lac, as Dr. Kiera Banks; Joseph Birschbach, Chilton, as Dr. Alex Gorma; Anna Peterman, Fond du Lac, as Dr. Ann Ross; Phillip Alvarado, Theresa, as Dominick Piero; Lia Sabatke, New Holstein, as Nella Larkin, R.N.; Chris Navis, Brandon, as Fr. Charles Dunbar; and Luke Scorcio, Fond du Lac, as Dr. Jack Klee.

The student understudies are, Kelsey Helgeson, Juneau; Bree Gens, Fond du Lac; Jordan Moore, Fond du Lac; and Alana Berthiaume, Hartford.

“We are very excited to be following in our tradition of producing new plays that are premieres for the Fond du Lac area,” said Gustin. “What makes the play particularly important is that the campus will be involved in a service outreach project associated with the play in which we will be raising student awareness of the need for organ donors, disseminating information and registering new donors. That's cool."

Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students, UW-Fond du Lac students free on Nov. 4 only. Purchase tickets at (920) 929-1111 or at the door.

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