The Odyssey Theater Ensemble The Arsonists Cast: Mr. Gottlieb Biedermann:    Norbert Weisser Mrs. Babbete Biedermann:    Beth Hogan Arsonist Joe Schmitz    John Achorn Arsonists Billy Eisenring:    Ron Bottitta Anna (the Maid):    Diana Cignoni The Philosophy Professor:    Alan Abelew The Policeman:   Cary Thompson Mrs. Knechtling:    Chantal DeGroat Members of the Chorus:    Chantal DeGroat    Alan Abelew    Cary Thompson    Beth Hogan    Diana Cignoni Directed by:  Ron Sossi and Barbara Mueller-Wittman Set Designer: Birgitte Moos The Odyssey Theater is located on Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA Become a Fan of The Odyssey Theater on Facebook! If you are able to do so, be sure to support The Odyssey Theater as well as your favorite artistic venues in your community.  Your contribution is always appreciated whether it be financial support or through volunteer opportunities. (Be sure to check the wishlists of these organizations too -- they are always looking for props, costume items, and more!) With additional and extra special thanks to Mr. Weisser for making this presentation possible.  I deeply appreciate your continued support of this website.    The Arsonists is an absurdest comedic play written by Max Frisch, a Swiss playwright whose work was considered to be highly representative of German literature after World War II. His works dealt with issues such as human identity, responsibility, morality and political awareness -- almost always written with a strong sense of irony. The Arsonists, or Firebugs as it is also known, was written in 1953, and premiered in 1958. The play was written as a metaphor for Nazism and Communism and shows how normal citizens can be taken in by evil. This dark comedy is set in a town that is being regularly attacked by arsonists. Disguised as homeless, they talk their way into people's homes, settle down in the attic, then prepare to burn it down. The central character, a businessman called Gottlieb Biedermann, is seen at the beginning reading newspaper reports of arson, convinced that he could never be taken in. Within minutes, the first arsonist has appeared (Joe Schmitz). Through a combination of intimidation and persuasion he talks his way into spending the night in the attic. As the play unfolds, a second arsonist appears (Billy Eisenring), and before Biedermann can do anything to stop it, his attic is filled with drums full of petrol. He even helps them measure the detonating fuse wire and ultimately gives them matches. He refuses to believe what is happening around him, and becomes an accomplice in his own downfall. When his wife admonishes him for giving them matches, he defends his action by screaming back at her, “They had no matches! How could they be arsonists?” The name Biedermann is itself a play on the German word "bieder" meaning conventional, conservative or upstanding, and is frequently used in an ironic context. The name translates to der biedere Mann or the worthy man. Note: I wanted to ensure the play was well visualized for everyone who was not able to attend a performance. In the interest of space and because there are so many screencaps, these images are small, however, they are all pop- ups that will expand when you click on them.   As Biedermann attempts to light a cigarette, the chorus of fire fighters keep blowing out the flame. He says, “It’s not easy lighting a cigarette these days -- the whole world thinks they are about to go up in flames.” The fire fighters appear on stage occasionally as a chorus to offer commentary on the situation and to explain how they keep watch over the city. As Biedermann reads the morning paper, he tells Anna (Diana Cignoni)  that the fire bombers were at it again, and cautions her that the homeless come knocking at the door looking for a handout and a place to stay. She then tells him that a man is waiting in the hall for him... he is looking for a little humanity. The homeless man appears and scares Biederman right out of his chair. His manner becomes nervous and timid. John Achorn is the homeless man, Joe Schmitz. It is a true honor to be able to present this play here for you.  The play was highly entertaining, the script was wonderful, and most of all, the entire cast was outstanding. You all know through visiting this website how I feel about Norbert -- he is always terrific, and he didn’t disappoint here. Additionally, the performances of John Achorn, Ron Bottitta, Beth Hogan and Diana Cignoni as the main characters were absolutely incredible, not to mention the supporting cast members of Alan Abelew, Chantal DeGroat and Cary Thompson.  Thanks to all of you for the dedication to have to your art, and may you all have continued success. Biedermann offers him a cigarette. Schmitz tells him people are afraid of him. He says how he saw Biedermann in a restaurant the night before, proclaiming that the arsonists should hang. He says how he worked at the circus... until it burned down...  and how he used to be a wrestler. He clearly has the upper hand in the conversation. “No spare beds! That’s what they all say as soon as a homeless man appears at the door!” He had overheard Biedermann telling Anna that that had three spare beds. Mr. Biedermann anxiously awaits Anna to bring bread for his guest as he offers him an ashtray. In addition to the offer of bread, Schmitz also asks for some butter, cheese, cold meat, pickles -- anything they have extra on hand, possibly some mustard too... managing to add “Where would we all be if we stopped believing in each other.” He thanks Biedermann for not treating him like an arsonist. Biedermann tries to explain why people are afraid -- the arsons are all the newspapers write about, so trust is hard since it’s always the same scenario. Schmitz, or Joe as he as askes to be called, has a small complaint that the wine isn’t quite the right temperature. Meanwhile Anna has announced another visitor whom Biedermann turns away. It’s a former employee by the name of Knechtling, who wants to share his profits from the hair tonic product he invented. Joe licks only some of the mustard off of his hand before he offers to shake Biedermann’s hand, thanking him for his humanity. A disgusted Biedermann is quick to wipe his hand on a handkerchief. Having talked his way into spending the night in the attic, Biedermann shows him up to the room, warning him to be quiet so his wife won’t hear. He doesn’t want to alarm her because she has a heart condition. He also asks Joe to promise him that he isn’t an arsonist. Mrs. Biederman (Beth Hogan) has praise for her husband for checking the attic for arsonists. She thinks he is the one up there not realizing that the noise she hears is Joe dropping his shoes on the floor as he quietly sings, “I don’t want to set the world on fire...”  Later on when Biedermann is sleeping she hears coughing in the attic and thinks someone is up there. She is nervous and can’t sleep a wink. Meanwhile, the fire fighters are shouting joyously, “All hail the fire fighters! Everyone is safe one more night!” Biedermann prepares to head to work as his wife tells him she is afraid someone was in the attic. He tells her not to worry saying we have to have faith and a bit of trust. “Where would we all be if we thought everyone was an arsonist!” Just then Joe appears and startles Mrs. Biedermann. Her intention is to serve him breakfast and have him be on his way. However, as she serves him coffee with shaking hands, he gives her an imploring, innocent look as he drinks it. When he asks if she wants to get rid of him she is too timid to say yes, and denies that she thinks he is an arsonist. He then tells her the story of how his father, a miner, died when he was young, and his mother too, so he was raised in an orphanage. Even when he asks her if she thinks he eats like a pig, she giggles nervously and denies it, afraid to hurt his feelings. He plays on her sympathies again by saying that he is used to the hunger and the cold -- so he will leave if she wants him to. She ends up asking him to stay so he won’t think bad of her. Joe then realizes she won’t send him away, and complains that his soft boiled eggs are too runny. He also hints that his friend Billy will be joining them. By the time Biedermann arrives home from work, the second arsonist has arrived through the skylight, and they have started to fill the attic with drums of petrol. The Arsonists continues on Page 2 -- Next Act One Official Fansite © www.norbert-weisser.com, 2010                                                  This is the Official Fansite for Mr. Norbert Weisser                                       Site Design By:  JT eDesigns