Seeing humanity through "The Elephant Man"

Where some see a monster, others see a creature in need of compassion, but do they see a human being who deserves dignity?

This is a question explored in "The Elephant Man," the latest play from Actors' Mission. The show tells the story of John Merrick, a man with extreme deformities, and his relationship with Frederick Treves, a doctor who seeks to help him. It is based on the true story of Joseph Merrick.

"It is a beautifully-written story about a man with disabilities's fight for self actualization and about people who treat him with compassion but not the dignity that they would any other human being who deserves it," Daniel Bendtsen explained. "And I think it parallels a lot of how we treat people with disabilities today."

Bendtsen is taking on the role of Merrick, which has personal significance to him. 

"The main reason I wanted to play this part was just out of defiance," he admitted. 

The play's script has a note at the beginning that no one with a history of back problems should attempt the role, Bendtsen said, and it even warns that actors should consult a physician before tackling the physical demands of the show. 

"I have scoliosis and a chest deformity resulting from that," Bendtsen explained. "So when I read that, I was like, 'Okay, I want to play this part now because you told me I'm not allowed to.'"

Bendtsen pointed out that when he was a teenager he knew about and was interested in Merrick, relating to him in some ways. Seeing pictures of Merrick, noting the way his body was shaped and how he stood, Bendtsen remembers a time when his own chest deformity was more pronounced and kids would ask what was wrong with him when he took off his shirt. 

"When I was a teenager, I felt like a freak, just a little bit," Bendtsen said. 

Relating to Merrick's physical inhibitions, even if on a much milder scale, Bendtsen was especially interested in playing the role. There was also the factor of doing it out of spite, since the script essentially advised against it. But taking on the physicality of the role has been a challenge. 

In order to portray Merrick's deformities, Bendtsen looked at a study done by the BBC where they analyzed Merrick's bones and used digitalization to try to determine what he must have talked like and how he would have moved and walked. Bendtsen has tried to imitate this throughout the play, which he said is difficult to constantly maintain while also remembering lines and stage directions. And, he admitted, it hurts. 

"My back hurts a lot," Bendtsen said. 

Sometimes the pain helps him get into character in moments when Merrick is hurting or uncomfortable, Bendtsen noted. But other times it can be distracting or make acting difficult. Still, the story is important enough to Bendtsen for him to persevere in helping tell it. He hopes audiences will end up "thinking about how we treat people that are different than ourselves, and just because we may treat them with compassion, that's not necessarily enough."

This concept comes from the complicated character of Dr. Treves, whom Bendtsen sees as the heart of the play, and who is played by Navarre Mudd.

"His arc is interesting," Mudd said of Treves, explaining that the young and advancing doctor seems to be doing what he thinks is right and trying to help Merrick, but still makes mistakes. "He ends up putting him on the same kind of display that he was in the circus, just with a different kind of clientele," Mudd explained. 

Dr. Treves ends up having an attitude of superiority for how he's helping Merrick, but he also learns from Merrick's humanity, which makes him question his own motivations, according to Mudd. 

"It's an interesting dynamic, and he kind of loses his mind throughout trying to balance," Mudd explained. 

Perspective shifts and learning humility are relatable aspects of the character for the actor.

"I've done lots of different stage work before, but this is an entirely new experience, and I was humbled myself coming into it," Mudd said. 

While he has done extensive work on stage in a variety of roles, including performing his original music, Mudd explained that this is his first time acting in a play. 

"It's all been a challenge because it's all been very new to me," he said. "It's been good to learn from that." 

Mudd has also enjoyed working with the cast and crew and seeing the show come together.

"Watching the way that the little pieces of work that everyone has done culminate into a big final picture is just amazing to watch happen," he said. 

Bendtsen also noted the amount of work that has gone into the show, including adding new and original elements to increase the symbolism of the script and the impact of the story. Among other details, the play includes original music produced by Director Nina Tyler and a set featuring six rotating flats with original artwork on both sides hand-painted by Dave Gutierrez, Shannon Bendtsen, Daniel Bendtsen, and Nina Tyler. 

When everything comes together, the cast and crew hope that the story of "The Elephant Man" will inspire audiences to examine the way they view and treat others. 

"[Don't] judge so much on what you think someone is capable of or what they should be allowed to be capable of in society," Mudd said, explaining what he hopes audiences will take from the show. "Just let people be people, and give them the room to be themselves. Disabilities or differences aside, everybody has something to contribute." 

"The Elephant Man" opens this Friday night and has performances at 7 p.m. May 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, with a 2 p.m. matinee May 11. The play is described as containing adult themes. Admission is free, although donations are accepted. A complimentary meal is served one hour before each performance.