Chariots of Fire to open Rosebud Theatre season
By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor
Rosebud Theatre opens its 2024 season, April 5 to May 25, with Chariots of Fire, the story of two runners who competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Eric Liddell, a devout Christian, is the son of Scottish missionaries. Harold Abrahams is the son of a Jewish immigrant father. Each man runs with unique passion and purpose.
“Eric Liddell … is traversing the landscapes of university as well as gaining notoriety as an athlete and a religious speaker,” said Joe Perry, the actor who plays Eric Liddell in Rosebud’s production, in an email interview. “There is a lot expected of this young man and Chariots of Fire is a story of how Eric chooses to follow his own moral path despite others’ expectations.”
Harold Abrahams is driven by his father’s influence.
“He is driven to win,” said Aaron Krogman, who plays Abrahams, in an email. Abrahams’ older brothers are Olympians, and their entire family is driven to achieve, pushed by their immigrant Jewish father who suffered great antisemitism.
“Harold badly wants to win his father’s love and interest, and also to get even with everyone for years of discrimination,” he said. “Harold comes to believe that the only way to succeed is to beat Eric Liddell, but he is wrong. Over the course of generosity from Eric, from his romantic interest, Sybil, and from the care and investment of his coach, Sam, Harold learns to run for different reasons. Rather than running to make up for what has been missing in his life, he learns to run for and because of the good things already in his life.”
Now, 100 years after Liddell and Abrahams ran against each other, their lives still speak to the actors who portray them.
“What I learn from Eric is that it is possible to hold strong to what you believe in a kind and gentle way,” Perry said. “There is capacity to hold convictions and still have room for nuance, empathy and genuine care for all we encounter, and even to hold an equal respect and admiration for others and their convictions.
“A question that Eric asks of Harold and of himself is ‘why do you run?’” Perry added. “This has inspired me to ask that question of myself about all aspects of my life. Finding and knowing why we do the things that we do, what and who we do them for can give such a drive and freedom to pursue goals with a focus and clarity that opens up the possibility for greater fulfillment.
“Eric’s legacy is one that shows that we can meet adversity with grace and tenacity. That generosity of spirit and the spirit of competition are not mutually exclusive.”
“I feel compassion for Harold,” said Krogman. “He believes that if he can just win in a big enough way, then he’ll be worthy of the love of his father … that is such a sad thing for a kid to learn from their parent, that love is conditional, as long as the child performs. I love that Harold gets to let go of that curse over the course of the play.
“Harold thinks that Eric is his enemy, his target, his obstacle, but in fact Eric proves to be a true brother by inviting him into a much lighter, happier way of being. I wonder how often we wrongly classify the people in our lives.”
“This year marks 100 years from the Olympics in which Eric won his gold and set the record in the 400m race,” Perry noted. “The Olympics this year will be held in Paris once again. For me this play is a great reminder of the value of community, grace, understanding and conviction in a time of such turmoil and uncertainty.”
Chariots of Fire opens in the Rosebud Theatre Opera House, April 5 and runs until May 25. Tickets include a buffet meal, though may also be purchased without. For more information and tickets, call 1-800-267-7553 or visit their website (rosebudtheatre.com).