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South Pole drama “Terra Nova” lands at Pentacle

Actors in the dress rehearsal for the Pentacle Theatre’s production of “Terra Nova,” opening July 8 (Courtesy/Pentacle Theatre)

Friday night the lights will go up at the Pentacle Theater for “Terra Nova,” a play that has brought Scott Ramp home. 

Written by Ted Tally of “Silence of the Lambs” fame, the play is set in 1911 when five Englishmen and five Norwegians raced to the North Pole. Only the Norwegians returned, leaving the Englishmen’s story to be told in “Terra Nova.”

It’s a story that has stayed with Ramp since the ‘80s. 

“Occasionally, in one’s lifetime, if we are lucky enough, we come across something that moves us so powerfully that it becomes an integral part of our being,” Ramp wrote in his director’s statement. “Perhaps it’s a piece of music, a novel, an object of art, even a motion picture. In my case, it was a play. This play-Terra Nova.” 

Pentacle’s executive director Lisa Joyce can vouch for Ramp’s passion.

“He had this production in a box,” she said. “Scott used to be a volunteer here and recently moved back as we had a hole in our schedule. But he had this show he was really passionate about, bordering on obsession. It’s pretty perfect.”

That obsession has created a new world on Pentacle’s stage–one dedicated to the time period. All of the props, like tents and lanterns, are period-appropriate and handmade by Ramp. The costumes, Joyce said, are replicas of the clothes worn on the expedition. 

“It’s a drama,” Joyce said, “and to be honest, it’s a very sad story because the explorer left very detailed journals behind so there’s a lot of historical accuracy.” 

The real-life, famously fatal expedition was led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, whose journals influenced Tally’s play. 

While no one factor led to the death of the men, Scott’s last journal entries indicated unseasonably cold temperatures, a blizzard and a food and supply depot that was too many miles away for them to reach in their weakened states.

Scott will be played by Chris Benham, appearing tonight for the first time in 10 years after his 2001 turn in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Rounding out the cast of explorers are Travis Brown, Zach DuFault, Ken Hermens, Tim Jaeger, Kaelynn Kappes and Robert Sim. 

The Pentacle, Joyce said, required proof of vaccination and audience members must wear a mask. Cast members are also masked when not on stage. 

“It’s 191 seats so the opportunity to spread out isn’t there,” Joyce said. “You’re sitting next to 100 other people for two hours. It’s to keep everyone safe because if Covid gets into the cast we have to start canceling performances.”

“Terra Nova” performances begin tonight, July 8 at 7:30 and run through July 30. Tickets are $35, 50% off for individuals with Oregon Trail cards, and can be purchased online at pentacletheatre.org.

Contact reporter Caitlyn May at [email protected].

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