Spring Theatreworks, Inc. presents
T.S. Eliot's
MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL
at The Beckmann Theatre, 314 West 54th Street, 2nd Floor, NYC
Opening: December 7, 2000 8 p.m.
Closing: December 17, 2000 8 p.m.

We are proud to introduce ourselves, Spring Theatreworks, as the next generation of theatre professionals. Our initiation formally begins with the presentation of our inaugural production of T.S. Eliot’s MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL directed by Jeffrey Horne.

This often studied and often criticized, but not too often performed play by the Nobel Prize winning poet T.S. Eliot is focused around the chronicled last days of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1170 A.D. Thomas Becket returned to his Cathedral in England for what was to be the last time. King Henry II was none too pleased with Becket’s priestly attitude towards the throne and his steadfast decision not to join the office of Chancellorship with that of the Archbishopric of Canterbury, the highest position in the Catholic Church in England at the time. King Henry had intended to join the two positions into one in order to create a “perfect” unity of church and state power. Four Knights believing that they were following King Henry’s wishes murdered Becket in his cathedral on December 29th.

Eliot’s story of the final days is told from various points of view, almost like hearing a court case with various witnesses: the women of Canterbury, the priests of Canterbury Cathedral, the four knights that murdered Becket, and Thomas Becket himself. Eliot’s frequently non-traditional style of storytelling is a compelling attribute of the text. According to the playwright, it is not a question of “what is going to happen?” The end of the play is foreseen, and it is considered destiny, inevitable, fate, something that must happen in order for the world to be cleansed of evil and wrong (much like the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ). Instead, Eliot presents us with those who are most affected by the man Thomas Becket, those who ask, “how can we allow this to happen and go on with our lives?” Once Becket has consented to his fate, the story of the play focuses on everyone else’s journey to acceptance of that fate, a journey that many of us have taken before.

Spring Theatreworks is focused on challenging the limits of modern theatre and modern audiences. We recognize our responsibility as cultural representatives of our civilization. We look forward to building a positive and nurturing relationship with our community and we hope you enjoy the performance!

Tickets $15.00, Call 212-316-0833 for reservations or more information.

An Equity Showcase with Karen Allen, Rebekah Bayard*, Susan Biesinger, Matthew Drennan*, Kenyon Farrow*, Sean Fornara, Gregory Kostal*, Cody Landis, Stephanie Lazarus, Alison Saltz, Doug Simpson, Jesse Wilson, Weston Woolley* (*Denotes members of Actors' Equity Association). Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.