Alexandre Dumas would have been in high spirits recently as one of his most famous stories was performed by the Homeschool Theatre Troupe at the local Ferlazzo Building Theatre in Woodbridge, Virgina. Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo completed in 1844 tells the story of a man who escapes from jail after being wrongfully imprisoned, then sets out to seek revenge on those responsible.
The Homeschool Theatre Troupe is a unique organization dedicated to preserving drama and theatre education for children who are home schooled. The theater specializes in training young people who are interested in acting and directing, as well as learning about the technical side of producing. Besides learning about theater, the students study great literature and the classics. The organization is community oriented and offers home schooled students an avenue for drama that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Many of the people involved with the theatre volunteer their time, eager to help young people enhance their knowledge of the arts. This troupe doesn’t shy away form tackling challenging works like The Count of Monte Cristo, a testament to the dedication of the young people and adults involved.
Edmund Dantes, betrayed by his best and oldest friend, Fernand Mondego, is charged with treason and condemned to an indefinite sentence in the famed Château d’If fortress. Dantes is befriended by the knowledgeable priest, Abbé Faria, who spends years grooming Edmund to be a gentleman and an intellectual. When Abbé Faria dies, he bequeaths to Edmund an immense fortune.
After escaping prison, Edmund becomes the fake, albeit respected and wealthy, Count of Monte Cristo. He then takes off on a grand adventure to exact his revenge on the villainous Fernand, who has since married and had a child with Edmund’s true love, Mercedes and become the Count de Morcerf. Fernand’s successful rise to the life he stole from Edmund, fuels the fires of vengeance. The epic compilation of greed, passion, betrayal, retribution and ignited malice so carnal, is the tale of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Watching this young group of actors perform Dumas’ classic tale was inspiring. As the auditorium’s lights dimmed, the stage lights illuminated the cast in costumes so realistic, one would think they were plucked from a wardrobe in 18th century France. And the performances were just as impressive. Each actor and actress was exquisite and precise; each line delivered on beat and with staggering passion. The emotions of the characters the performers portrayed were tangible and heart-wrenching at times. This was a professional performance—and that is saying mountains, as I am a theatre major. My only regret is that I did not ask for autographs from this group, signatures that will certainly be worth a mint in the future.
