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Ring Them Bells
Preview of Stephen Belber’s Dusk Rings a Bell
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The name Stephen Belber might ring a bell for those familiar with his previous work and writing collaborations such as The Laramie Project, Match and play-turned-screenplay, Tape. Now, in his Atlantic Theater debut, Belber collaborates with director Sam Gold along with Kate Walsh and Paul Sparks for the world premiere of Dusk Rings a Bell.
This story portrays a chance encounter between a man and a woman who had an adolescent fling 25 years earlier. They experienced an instant connection back then, talking until dusk, but never saw each other again until now. But when Ray reveals the details of a crime that left him in prison for 10 years, the story takes a new perspective.
While reading a simple description of the plot might lead audiences to think that Belber’s play concerns only this romantic encounter, it rarely stays on that first level of interpretation. This is not a work about “romantic fireworks,” but rather about redemption and a person’s desire to change and reconcile the past. The idea for this play came about after conducting interviews with some of the young men accused of beating Matthew Shepard for The Laramie Project. Belber’s interest shifted to exploring the nature of crime and those who engage in it while keeping in mind the question, “What’s it like to meet a criminal?”
Many critics praise Belber for the credibility of his work and his characters; this is not surprising, as the playwright himself says his latest work is “guiding towards the thematic of reevaluation” and is becoming “more introspective.” Many times in his work, he stresses the idea of communication, often creating characters that have trouble saying what they truly want to say. Dusk Rings a Bell should not only draw audiences with its stellar cast (Belber himself comments on Walsh’s “incredible chops”), but also because of its contemporary look into human nature.
Dusk Rings a Bell’s official opening is Thursday, May 27 at Atlantic Stage 2 (330 W. 16th St.). The limited engagement will play through June 20, for more information visit www.atlantictheater.org.