Chariots of Fire runs for gold at Rosebud Theatre
By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor
Rosebud Theatre opened its 2024 season with Chariots of Fire on April 5. The play celebrates Eric Liddel’s historic run at the 1924 Paris Olympics, 100 years ago.
Joe Perry plays Eric Liddel, the son of Scottish missionaries. Aaron Krogman plays Harold Abrahams, the son of a Jewish Lithuanian immigrant. The show is directed by Morris Ertman.
Eric and Harold are expected to run – and win – for Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics. But Eric learns that the heat for the 100 m race – his specialty – is to be held on a Sunday. He refuses to run on a Sunday. He retrains for the 400m race – and wins. Abrahams wins the 100m.
To re-enact these famous races, Rosebud Theatre installed three treadmills on its Opera House stage and surrounded them by a circular track. Unexpectedly, they make a lovely set piece – built by scenic carpenter Wojtek Kozlinski – that works esthetically and logistically.
But Eric and Harold’s story is about much more than two young men who love to run and want to win gold medals.
Joe Perry and Aaron Krogman portray Eric and Harold warmly and personally, as athletes, as university students, as friends of many, and as men who love life and dream about the future. They’re surrounded by a large multi-talented cast.
Eric, a prospective missionary, defends his determination to run with the famous line, “I believe God made me for a purpose – but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
Liddel didn’t say that line historically, but he lived it out. He asks Abrahams repeatedly, “Why do you run?”
Eric and Harold run for very different reasons and the question carries through the story. As they ask and answer each other, they’re asking us the same questions. Why do we run? Why do we care, cook and build? Why do we learn, serve and teach?
As we walk out of the theatre, we’re still asking ourselves these questions. We feel affirmed in the hope that what we do – running, creating, caring, studying, serving, teaching – is making an important difference. Like Liddel and Abrahams, we may run for the pure joy of it. At the same time, our running, creating and caring, studying, serving and teaching have a grander purpose than we can ever imagine.
Chariots of Fire runs until May 25 on the Opera House stage at Rosebud Theatre. Tickets include a meal, but may also be purchased without. Get tickets and more information at 1-800-267-7553 or online (rosebudtheatre.com).