‘A Shadow That Broke the Light’ by Troy Foundry Theatre
TROY, N.Y. >> If it is true that the best art is personal, then “A Shadow That Broke the Light” might turn out to be one of the finer artistic experiences of the year.
The world premiere will be offered by Troy Foundry Theatre on Thursday evening and in a 24-hour marathon 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. It is at the Collar Works Art Gallery on River Street in Troy.
The piece has been created by two brothers who are attempting to honor their deceased brother by shining a light on the affliction that caused his death at age 33.
In 2014, Joey DelMarcelle died from a drug overdose. In the years since, his brothers Charlie and Adam DelMarcelle, have committed their art and their energy trying to explode the myths that place a stigma on all drug-related deaths.
In the aftermath of that senseless event, the brothers – one an actor and playwright, the other an installation artist - have discovered that there is a public shame that accompanies a drug-related death.
“There is this attitude that victims of drugs ‘get what they deserve,’” says Charlie, in a recent telephone interview. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Both men are respected and successful artists in the Philadelphia area. They also teach at various Pennsylvania colleges. They both use their artistic talents to enlighten the public about addiction; its causes and its human cost.
They compare today’s drug epidemic to the A.I.D.S. crisis of the 80s. “Before we can start to stop the epidemic, we have to get rid of labels, myths and misinformation,” says Adam”. “A Shadow That Broke the Light,” is a collaboration between the two men to humanize those victims.
About his brother, Joey, Adam says, “We had no idea he was using heroin. He was the last person you would think of as using drugs. He was extremely well-liked by everyone, the epitome of fitness and a person who always gave of himself to others. He would moonlight at a crisis center at a nearby hospital several night a week.
“His death didn’t make sense. We had a lot of questions to ask and a lot of things we had to learn.”
In the years since Joey’s passing, Adam and Charlie have been trying to convince the public to look at drug fatalities in a less emotional, more rational manner. Towards that end, he’s been travelling the country interviewing people who lost a loved one to drugs. Charlie has put the stories into dramatic form and they are the muscle of “A Shadow That Broke the Light.” Joey’s story provides the heartbeat of the piece.
After speaking with and gaining the trust of the families, Adam would make what he calls “a big ask.” He would request an article of clothing that belonged to the deceased. “It was major,” says Adam. “Often it was the only tangible thing people still had to connect them with the person they lost.”
Adam would regularly take the pieces of clothing it to a Texas company who had a process that could convert clothing into individual sheets of paper.
After each of Charlie’s stories, one of those transformed sheets will rise and hang about the performing space. By the end of the show they will surround the stage. Combined with sensitive lighting, it will be as if the subjects are bearing witness to their own stories. By the end of the presentation the hope is there will be a ghostly, but tangible presence in the room.
The stories will be told in segments lasting 7 minutes and 3 seconds. It’s no coincidence that official statistics show someone in this country dies of an opiate or drug overdose every 7 minutes and 3 seconds. Adam emphasizes the number of deaths. “197 people die from drugs every day. If that isn’t a call to action, I don’t know what is.”
However, he stresses that while statistics are staggering, “A Shadow That Broke the Light, isn’t about statistics. “In theater you have to touch the emotions, otherwise it’s a lecture. We make the numbers real by telling the stories.”
As for emotions, Charlie suggests he might be the most emotional person in Collar Works. “This will be the first time I will speak aloud some of my most private thoughts. It’s a beautiful gift to honor my brother and share for the first time the grief that is always with me.”
The event will be presented tonight and Friday/ Saturday at Collar Works, an art gallery on River Street in Troy. It is produced by Troy Foundry Theatre. On Friday, it will be presented for 24 hours.
There will be short breaks between sets and a performance schedule will be on the Troy Foundry website. There is a $15 donation on Thursday, with partial proceeds donated to local drug prevention organizations. Friday to Saturday, admission is free.