“The Elephant Man” plays on SSCC stage Nov. 13-15

“From the back of his head hung a bag of spongy fungous-looking skin, the surface of which was comparable to brown cauliflower. The nose was merely a lump of flesh … the deformities rendered the face utterly incapable of the expression of any emotion whatsoever.”

This horrifying description of John Merrick sets the stage for a story that asks what makes the man a man. Is it the outward appearance, or rather the inner morality?

Bernard Pomerance attempts to unravel this puzzle in “The Elephant Man,” playing 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14, and 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15, in the Edward K. Daniels Auditorium at Southern State Community College’s Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro.

The true story of John Merrick, the Elephant Man (portrayed by Reid Lyle)—a man whose body is hideously deformed, but within is a remarkably sensitive and intelligent being—comes to light after a brilliant young surgeon discovers Merrick traveling in a freak show. Intrigued by Merrick, Dr. Frederick Treves (Benjamin Gullett) befriends the Elephant Man, finding him a home in the London Hospital and strives to do nothing less than give Merrick a life that is normal “as far as is possible.” But what is normal? What does normality achieve?

The talented ensemble for “The Elephant Man” includes: Kyle Baker, Daniel Bragdon, Juliane Cartaino, Donald Gehres, Mark Holmes, Kimberly Michael, Crystal Rice-Carlson, Jonathan Stewart Sr., Jonathan Stewart Jr., and Ayla Stirnaman.

‘The Elephant Man” is directed by Rainee Angles and stage managed by Sarah Williams and Amanda Ray. Fulfilling crew positions are Brent Angles, Jessica Culver, Paul Davis, Hannah Dreher, D.J. Griffith, Alexandria Horsley, Jeff Hutchinson, Will Klotz, Ralph Malicoat, Kyle Nowak, and Amy Petzold.

Tickets for “The Elephant Man” are on sale now and can be pre-ordered for only $6 by visiting www.sscctheatre.com. All major credit cards are accepted. At the door, tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for student and faculty, with ID. 2009-10 season tickets are also available at the web site for $15 each. That’s a savings of up to $9 for the entire season. For more information about “The Elephant Man,” tickets, and other SSCC Theatre productions, please visit www.sscctheatre.com.  http://www.sscctheatre.com