Photo by John Eaton

Brett Maynard (Clown) and Andrei Rudic (Strongman) rehearse their acts in the traveling Sparks Circus that rolls into a small town in Tennessee in 1916.

The opening night performance of “Elephant’s Graveyard” is this Friday, Sept. 22 in the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Immediately following will be a free reception with refreshments for the cast, crew and audience members.

A talkback for the audience will be held after each of the next four performances at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 23, 2:30 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 24 and at 7:30 p.m. next Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30.

“Elephant’s Graveyard” is about the collision of a struggling circus and a tiny town in Tennessee that results in a tragedy. Set in September of 1916, the play combines historical fact and legend, exploring the deep-seated American craving for spectacle, violence and revenge. It conjures a world with its own atmosphere and terrible internal logic. It’s mesmerizing and symphonic in its emotional variations on a tragic theme.

The 15 characters represent two different communities, the traveling circus and residents of the small town.

“‘Elephant’s Graveyard’ is a well crafted story that is entertaining even as it pulls innumerable emotional strings and puts a mirror up to let each participant on and off stage see himself a little more clearly and in ways that may be less nuanced while also being a little more grey,” said Sean Bartlett whose role is as the town’s Marshal.

“I find this play to be an interesting examination of community and authority,” Bartlett said. “Where are the boundaries of a community drawn and who has the right to make choices within both the individual communities and where they overlap. It is interesting how the characters cede control or wrest control. Is it more important to cede control to an authority to ensure cohesion or to protect “ones own?” When is action just and when is it reckless?”

“This play is as relevant to present-day as it is to 1916 when the story takes place,” said Brett Maynard whose role is the circus clown. “Each character has a unique standpoint. I want the audience to question the moral quandary as much as the characters do.”

“I hope audiences see themselves in this story. How would they react? Would they be part of the ‘mob mentality’ or would they take a stand?” asks Coleen Evert whose role is the Muddy Townsperson.

“The story is sad but it is told in such a way that it is beautiful and poignant. I love the different relationships each character has with Mary the elephant and how they unfold,” said Megan Gallant-Hand who is the Young Townsperson.

“I really appreciate how George Brant, the playwright, has created vulnerable and honest characters who help shed light on how our society processes trauma,” said Rachel McIntosh whose role is as Ballet Girl in the circus.

Admission is $16 for adults ages 19 and up and $8 for students, 18 and under. A FlexPass is $75.

Order tickets in advance at hgp.booktix.com or by calling the HG office at 570-724-2079 with credit card information.