Multitalented cast of ‘No More Peace!’ includes strong standouts

February 26, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

By Eric McCrea

With the tumultuous political scene we all face on the daily news, it can bring peace to be reminded that politics have long been a circus.

Youngstown State University’s latest theatrical production, “No More Peace!” by Ernst Toller addresses political attitudes and stability in an absurd and comical way. Written after the playwright was exiled from his native Germany in 1933, this is one of the Toller’s least-known works.

The play incorporates songs, with lyrics written by W.H. Auden, and most of the music left open to interpretation by musical director Ian LeRoy, giving the university ample room for experimentation and creativity.

The play begins in heaven, where a bored Napoleon, played by Samandriel Mentzer, and a content Saint Francis, played by Brooke Nobbs, mull over the prolonged peace that exists on Earth. With a simple anonymous telegram declaring war, the leaders of the fictional small country of Dunkelstein begin preparing for war. The country’s leader Laban (Jessica Hirsh) immediately appoints Cain, played by Mason Edmunds, as dictator to save the country. When no enemy steps up to take claim for the telegram, the war turns inward on Dunkelstein’s own people. All foreigners are demonized, largely stemming from the jealousy felt by the dictator toward the Brazilian fiancee of Laban’s daughter Rachel (AnnMarie Lowerre.) As the representatives of the military industrial complex gleam with delight, reason and sanity quickly become treasonous.

Rachel is imprisoned for spreading the message of peace, and is quickly joined by Noah (Rosie Bresson) a retired military authority who would rather spend time in prison than fighting for a false cause. Logic also takes a serious blow (“It’s better to be destroyed by our own bombs than by the enemy’s”). When faced with the truth about the deceptive telegram, Cain still wants to carry out his plans. How can reason and sanity ever win?

Mentzer and Nobbs were incredible together. Both played distinct and undeniable characters, but managed to share the stage without upstaging each other. They both received some of the biggest laughs and were integral to some of the most interesting scenes.

Most of the songs in this play were simple, with the exception of Edmunds’ big number at the end of the first act. His acting style was passionate and strong, but I felt that the jealousy aspect was downplayed.

Hirsh was impressive as Laban, but more impressive as a ukulele player. In fact, many of the actors showed how multitalented they are by playing instruments during the play. Ben Mowrer, Mac Callahan, Nathan Wagner and Josh Crank were also instrumental in making the show musically successful.

Other standouts included Simon Davis as a twittering Doctor and Leah Tekac as the precocious Solomon, and Megan Jones as the fashionable and modern Angel.

Director and new YSU staff member Dr. C. Austin Hill wisely used many university resources to accomplish this show. He avoided turning the songs into large productions and modernized things slightly to make the timing more appropriate.

“No More Peace” will run Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and today and next Sunday at 2 p.m. For reservations, call 330-941-3105.