Unusual holiday fare

Coral Wilson

Ever since “God’s Country” was first performed on stage in Seattle

in 1988, Eli Simon, head of acting at UC Irvine, has wanted to

produce the play locally. The time just never seemed right until now.

Theater patrons might question Simon’s timing as they wait in

lines to see the latest productions of “The Nutcracker” and “It’s a

Wonderful Life.”

Addressing topics of white supremacy and racial prejudice doesn’t

seem fit for the holiday season. But three suspected white

supremacists were charged with criminal activity in Orange County on

Nov. 18, less than three weeks ago. And with terrorism at the

forefront of American minds, the timing begins to seem more

appropriate.

“God’s Country” premiered Wednesday and will run through Sunday in

the Studio Theater at UC Irvine.

Based on courtroom documents and testimonials, it depicts the real

events of a group of white supremacists called The Order, which

committed a series of hate crimes in the early 1980s. Believing that

“as long as one member of The Order is alive, The Order lives,” the

group committed the crimes more than 20 years ago as a warning,

foreshadowing events that are happening today.

“Now we can see that groups like this that operate in and around

America are just as real a threat as they ever were, and on a much

larger scale,” Simon said. “Since [Sept. 11], we can see that the

same seeds of misunderstanding and hatred can have a much more

devastating effect.”

The three alleged supremacists arrested last month for storing

bomb-making materials were reportedly leaders of the local Aryan

Nation and Women for Aryan Unity organizations. The charges were

based on evidence discovered and dismissed in 1999. Back then, monitoring such cases was not a high priority.

The Southern Poverty Law Center monitors supremacist groups across

America. In 2001, more than 42 groups were reported in California

alone. Newport Beach-based and Costa Mesa-based groups include Blood

and Honour, Imperial Klans of America and Institute for Historical

Review.

“There were people in our cast who didn’t even know that the Klu

Klux Klan still existed, while other people had folks living down the

street from them that they thought were white supremacists,” said

Janelle Reinelt, resident playwright and associate dean at UC Irvine.

“So the range of what people know about what exists in society today

is pretty big.”

Reinelt will be leading audience discussions after every

performance. “It seems to me, if you are doing a really serious and

provocative piece, you have a responsibility to stick around and talk

to people.”

With an ensemble of 13 actors playing more than 50 parts, “God’s

Country” addresses the issue from multiple angles. The play is

intense and thought provoking, challenging the audience to examine

the roots of hatred.

Actress Jeanne LaSala says all of the hatred and negativity is

hard to leave behind after rehearsal.

“There are Jewish people in our cast, there is an African-American

woman in our cast, and having to say these things and turn around and

look your friend in the eye ... it makes me feel terribly dirty,” she

said.

For actress Sara Parry, the process has reconfirmed an overall

feeling that she has had, especially since Sept. 11.

“It is so important for people to keep in mind that every person

is human and is not different from us. By labeling people as an

other, it makes it so easy for people to remove their humanity,” she

said.

“God’s Country” may not provide solutions, but it will offer

viewers the opportunity to process thoughts and questions regarding

current societal issues.