Roadside Theater
announces its production of

"The Elephant Man"
by Bernard Pomerance

Directed by Ron Paoletti

As a specimen of humanity, Merrick was ignoble and repulsive; but the spirit of Merrick,
if it could be seen in the form of the living, would assume the figure of an upstanding and heroic man, smooth-browed and clean of limb, and with eyes that flashed undaunted courage.
-- Dr. Frederick Treves

Based on a true story, this play follows the emotional experiences of John Merrick, an 1880's circus freak known as The Elephant Man, and Frederick Treves, a young surgeon recently appointed to the London Hospital. Treves meets Merrick and is fascinated at first by the research possibilities and rescues him from his degrading life as a circus attraction, but soon comes to realize that inside that grotesque body lives an intelligent human being, gentle and warm, with feelings, hopes and dreams. This Tony and Obie award-winning play allows us to see the beauty inside the misfigured shell of Merrick and the ugly visage of society all at once. Ironically, as Merrick struggles to become normal, normalcy itself becomes questioned by Treves. A truly remarkable and heartwarming story of the triumph of human dignity over ignorance, prejudice and fear.

Performances: March 19, 20, April 9, 10, 16, 17, 1999
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.