The Theatre Studies Department is in the middle of its five performances of Sophie Treadwell’s expressionistic play Machinal. Treadwell, an early feminist and 20th century playwright, set the tragedy in 1920’s New York, over nine episodes. The play is about the marriage, trial, and ultimate demise of Ruth Snyder, the first woman to die in the electric chair.

The leading role of Mrs. Helen Jones is played by Zee Russell. Other cast members include Jack Hilley playing her lover, Christopher Imms as George H. Jones, her husband, and Kate McNeely as her mother.

The play is staged abstractly, as if you are looking into someone else’s nightmare. Soft lighting in various colors is used throughout the performance to bring out the mood. In addition, the use of a background vocalist helps illustrate some points of sadness, especially right before the execution.

“We are interested in getting people to ask hard questions and formulate answers,” said Jack Zerbe, associate professor of theatre studies. “This is the story of a woman who is in a bad situation and we are trying to figure out where the limits are from an ethical standpoint – is murder acceptable in instances of domestic violence? Finally, you can see almost immediately that the play is protofeminist.”

Cast members feel that their participation in a production of this nature has changed their individual views on the death penalty. Eric Schultz, who has several different roles in the play, now is able to see things from the perspective of the condemned. “It’s made me more sympathetic to the person convicted. I really understand why they do what they have do,” he said.

There will be performances tonight and tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. in Sternberger Auditorium. Tickets are $1.00 for students, faculty, and staff.