Golden West preparing for ‘Shadowlands’

Tom Titus

Director Tom Amen calls his latest project “a celebration of

courage and faith.” It’s the fact-based drama “Shadowlands,” which

auditions next week at Golden West College.

“‘Shadowlands’ is a moving, delicate story of a man who chooses

suffering over safety,” Amen said. “It is the story of a romance

against all odds. Poignant, powerful and intelligently written,

‘Shadowlands’ is a moving testament to the transforming and

transcendent power of love.”

Amen will hold tryouts Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the

college’s Mainstage Theater for two women 25 to 45 years old, six

men, 25 to 65, and a boy in the 8- to 10-year-old range.

The play is gleaned from the life of author C.S. Lewis, who found

romance in his later years only to experience tragedy. It was

produced several years ago at South Coast Repertory, its only local

staging to date.

Amen calls “Shadowlands” a very accessible play.

“One need not be familiar with the work of C.S. Lewis to be

captivated by this story,” he said. “Prior to deciding to direct the

play, I knew little of Lewis’ work beyond his fantasy saga, ‘The

Chronicles of Narnia.’

“In addition, there is no particular affinity between my own

understanding of the universe and Lewis’ well-documented religious

beliefs,” he said. “And yet, I have elected to direct a play about

one of the most intimate aspects of this man’s life.”

For Amen, the attraction was simple.

“It was the sheer power and beauty of the story that drew me to

this play, rather than any extensive knowledge of Lewis as a writer,

nor any particular identification with his spiritual beliefs,” he

said. “It was the fact that Lewis was a good man, a man courageous

enough to love fully and to love well, in spite of the emotional

risks involved.

“Furthermore, it was the fact that Lewis was a man who possessed

deep personal convictions, coupled with the integrity to stand up for

those convictions,” Amen said. “He had a voice and he used it.

“These very simple and admirable, yet increasingly rare qualities

were enough to earn my respect for Lewis, and more than enough to

ignite my desire to tell his story.”

“Shadowlands” will be presented from Feb. 28 through March 15 in

the college’s main theater. Call the director at (714) 892-7711, ext.

55237, for additional information.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.