"Winter Rain" by Anthony T. Padovano is a one actor play about Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk, who has been called one of the most significant and relevant spiritual writers of our day." (from the Study Guide for Winter Rain by Doris Petrocelli, pg.3) Merton was born on January 31, 1915. He entered the Trappist monastery at Gethsemani, Kentucky, in December, 1941.
The play is presented in six images (acts). Each one representing a stage in Merton's life as a monk. The images begin with Merton's trip, by train, to the monastery in Gethsemani, Kentucky. He reviews the life he led before his decision to enter the monastery. In subsequent Images Merton speaks of his autobiography, which became a best seller, and how the writer in him seems to conflict with the monk. But he loves to write and feels compelled to continue. At one point he contemplates resigning from the monastery and in the last Image his spirit reflects upon his life and his struggles. Finally, he is home with God.
This is a powerful play. Very compelling. The set is sparse, just a few chairs or sometimes a table. Much is left to the audience's imagination. MM does an excellent job of portraying Thomas Merton, the man, the monk, the writer. Emotions range from laughter to tears. Merton was an outspoken man whose ideas about life and God were ahead of their time and apparently in conflict with the Church's teachings. MM showed the frustration of Merton in his gentle intonations and wide range of facial expressions. MM frequently used only his eyes, a slight change in the timbre of his voice or a gentle gesture to convey an idea or set a mood. It is the same technique he used so successfully as Ben Stone and Bo Lockley, and (to his fans) is one of his trademarks. This play seems to motivate the viewer to seek out more information about Thomas Merton. His autobiography,The Seven Storey Mountain, is recommended reading.
For information on how to order Winter Rain check out the Paulist Press site.
If you have seen a live performance, movie, book or TV appearance and would like to send a review just e-mail: Debbie