'Shawshank Redemption:' Rare stage performance in central Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio fans of “The Shawshank Redemption” are getting the rare opportunity to see the gritty, stirring prison drama in a live stage production.
The story, which began as the novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” by horror author Stephen King, was then adapted into one of the most popular films of all time. Now, it will be brought to life in a fresh setting at the Willis Theater in Delaware.
Director David Hejmanowski shared with NBC4 how a trip this summer to the historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, where the “Shawshank” movie was filmed in 1994, inspired him to delve into the theater rendition. He explained that in his role as Delaware County judge, he helps facilitate an annual legal education seminar that tours the former prison as part of the program. The experience sparked his interest in the stage adaptation.
“Because the movie was filmed there, and I was thinking to myself, 'Boy, it's a shame that there's not a stage version of this story,'” Hejmanowski said. “And as I got home, I thought, 'You know what? I've never looked to see if there's a stage version of this story.' And so when I got in the house, I got online, and I looked it up, and sure enough, there it is, the stage version of this story.”
He quickly realized it was an opportunity too compelling to pass up.
“And, as soon as I knew that, I thought, 'Oh, we have to do this.' I mean, it's just such an inspirational classic story, now that it's perfect for the stage.”
The production tells the story of the main character Andy Dufresne, who is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison at Shawshank. Hejmanowski said people familiar with the novella or movie will see many parallels in the stage version.
“So, all of the elements are there and all the main story points are there, but there will be differences, just in adaptation to make it work for a stage,” Hejmanowski said.
Casting for the production was competitive, with 35-40 actors vying for 12 roles. To better understand the story’s setting, Hejmanowski said the actors toured the Mansfield facility as part of their research. The Arena Fair Theatre director praised the cast for balancing the play's dark moments with its uplifting portions.
“I can't tell you how thrilled I am with this cast. They are just so incredibly talented,” Hejmanowski said. “They have really taken to their roles. I know this is going to be — audiences are going to love their presentation, because this is not easy material.”
Hejmanowski also noted that this production is not for children.
“These are, you know, men in a prison and they use the language that you would expect, in those circumstances,” Hejmanowski said. “And similar to the movie, which is … rated R … Andy is assaulted.”
However, beyond the brutality, Hejmanowski believes audiences will come away feeling moved.
“Throughout that story, you see multiple points where the average person would give up, and the average person, whatever, whatever, light they had, whatever little flame of hope they still had, would be extinguished by that,” Hejmanowski said. “And yet there's something about [Andy] and there's something about his character that he never lets that go out.”
The production runs from Oct. 24 to 26, with evening performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. matinées on Saturday and Sunday, at the Willis Theater, 74 West William Street in Delaware. Tickets are available online.