Wheaton Drama stages 'The Elephant Man'

Joseph Merrick's body underwent a mysterious metamorphosis when he was just a young boy, rendering the Englishman severely deformed.

Yet he maintained a sense of hope and gratitude until his death at age 27, said Sean Ogren, director of the Wheaton Drama production of "The Elephant Man," which tells Merrick's story beginning Friday, Jan. 20.

"It's the epitome of ugly on the outside and absolutely more than human on the inside," Ogren said.

The play is based on the true story of Merrick, referred to as John in the play, who was born in England in the 1860s. It was produced on Broadway in the 1970s; revivals featured David Bowie, Mark Hamill and Bradley Cooper in the title role, Ogren said.

"It's a beautiful play," he said. "It was nominated for a Tony Award for best play."

In Wheaton Drama's show, Merrick's disfigurement is not conjured up with the technology of prosthetics or cosmetics.

"There's no makeup. In the first page of the play, the playwright says, 'Do not use makeup,'" he said.

Instead, characters' physical attributes are portrayed through the actors' ability to suggest disabilities through physical contortions, a technique that can be difficult, Ogren said.

"We have a massage therapist backstage to take care of the actors," he said.

Ogren said the play's action takes the audience to several of the locations where Merrick performed as a human "freak."

"It's done with 10 actors, but there are far more than 10 parts. A lot of people are playing multiple roles," Ogren said.

Christopher Williams of Aurora plays Merrick.

"It has been one of the bigger, challenging roles I've ever done," Williams said.

A stage veteran who has appeared in Wheaton Drama shows since 1999, including comedies such as "Noises Off" and "The 39 Steps," musicals such as "A Chorus Line" and dramas including "A Few Good Men," Williams said the physical demands of the role are rigorous.

To prepare, Williams said he has watched several documentary videos about Merrick, studying his gait and his speech.

"I've never done a historical figure," he said. "I really want to do him justice."

Because Merrick had difficulty speaking, Williams said his depiction is not exactly true to life. He speaks more clearly than Merrick would have so that the audience can understand his words.

"I try to play the balance between the two," he said.

When he auditioned for "The Elephant Man," Williams said he was angling for the part of Dr. Treves, the doctor who rescues Merrick from his life in street "freak shows" to try to diagnose and treat his condition.

"I'd read the script before. I actually thought I was too old to play Merrick. At the audition, I really got into seeing how Merrick feels. He's very intelligent, charming, very romantic. He is in a body imprisoned. The person is still there," Williams said. "I was fortunate to get the role. The thing I really like about Sean, as a director, he really delves into character study."

Peter Lemongelli, who plays Dr. Frederick Treves, has been involved with Wheaton Drama as both an actor and director for 10 years, most recently directing the company's production of "Monty Python's Spamalot."

He's also been involved with Green Man Theatre in Elmhurst and Village Theatre in Glen Ellyn.

"This particular show I've known about since I was a kid," he said. "It's a story that really, truly is something that demands attention. I do love the material very much. I love working with Sean very much, and our production staff. The joy is entertaining the folks and introducing them to different worlds."

Lemongelli, of Cicero, said it was a chance encounter that brought Treves and Merrick together.

"Treves passes by the 'freak show' where Merrick is basically performing. Merrick came along at a time in Treves' life where Treves is on the fast track to the way an English gentleman should live his life," he said.

"It derails Treves' world view of what a good man really is. In trying to help John, John ultimately helps Treves."

He said Treves' dynamic with Merrick changes as the doctor-patient relationship progresses.

"He wants to help. He made many scientific observations and inquiries. He studies it. But, at the same time, he has no true way of treating him," Lemongelli said. "And John is such a beautiful soul."

Lemongelli said the show not only places physical demands on cast members, but it requires that the actors command several accents and dialects.

"We continuously work on our dialects. We try to take every aspect of it seriously in order to render an honest portrayal," he said.

"It's an immensely challenging show. That's part of why I wanted to be a part of it. I know I'm in the right place when the material scares the crap out of me. As an artist, it makes you grow."

If you go

What: "The Elephant Man," staged by Wheaton Drama

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 20 through Feb. 12

Where: Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton

Tickets: $15 to $18

Info: (630) 260-1928; wheatondrama.org and (630) 260-1820 for tickets