By Eva Trieger
SCRIPPS RANCH, California — It seems it is not possible to pigeonhole Marti Gobel, the multifaceted, highly talented San Diego native. Aside from film credits such as Game Day, Chicago PD, Gettin’ Kicks, and Spare Change, Gobel is a director, cinematographer, adjunct professor at three universities, and a public speaker! Local audiences are about to be treated to Gobel’s interpretation of The Taming, a political farce, opening at Scripps Ranch Theater on April 15.
In a phone interview, l was quite impressed with Ms. Gobel’s knowledge and commitment to teaching audiences about the true nature of democracy, and why our nation is in dire need of this re-education. As an actor in this very play five years ago, while Hillary Clinton was running for president, Gobel realized that our founding fathers had birthed a “brilliant piece of work” with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation, and just how far we’ve strayed from these ideals.
Gobel became interested in world history and how it has been revamped and repackaged. Prior to directing this play, she did her homework and a lot of extracurricular research to better understand what democracy is and what it isn’t. She avers that politicians work so hard to make their particular opinions known that they, and we, lose sight of the documents that allow us to amend, correct and improve. As an African-American woman, she is keenly aware that these humanely necessary modifications are frequently not made, because they don’t serve “rich white men” who have no wish to relinquish power or wealth.
As director of The Taming, Gobel chose her actors from video submissions (thanks, COVID). She placed them in different combinations to see if they could accomplish what she wanted them to do. The process took about six months, but she is very pleased with her choices and rehearsals had just begun when we spoke. I was interested to learn that none of the actors knew each other prior to this play, but was encouraged to hear that they are “very generous and giving to each other in the rehearsal room.” Playwright Lauren Gunderson’s characters “represent the triumvirate of the dumbing down of America.” There is an extreme liberal blogger, a conservative GOP, and a beauty pageant queen! Gobel feels her actors embrace the insanity quite well. Kudos to local actors Katie Drysdale, Sutheshna Mani, and Kylie Young.
The director pointed out that the stereotypes are broken and as Gunderson stated, “humans are complex.” Our multidimensional minds allow us to ask questions about why we believe what we believe and question the rights of all citizens. The script will cause audiences to explore the vagaries of freedom of speech, a militia etc.
Gobel is grateful to be brought on at Scripps Ranch Theater as the director, “not just the Black director.” This is a significant point, as one of the actors told her that she was the first Black director she’d ever had. Gobel told me that she views herself as a storyteller, and as such expands to direct a show that is not considered a “Black show.”
I was curious to know if there was a show in which she’d like to perform and was told that she’d like to play Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. When asked if there was a show she’d like to direct, Gobel told me that “I would put an interesting spin on Sam Shepard’s Buried Child.”
The provocative and highly entertaining production of The Taming will run from April 15 to May 1, 2022. Tickets may be purchased online at https://scrippsranchtheatre.org/tickets/ or by phone 858-395-0573.
*
Eva Trieger is a Solana Beach-based freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com
Great interview article. Looking forward to seeing “The Taming.”