Denver’s Visionbox Studio begins its 15th theater season with Bertolt Brecht’s “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,” a satire of Hitler’s rise to power, set in 1930s Chicago. Director Jennifer McCray Rincón emphasizes the play’s alarming relevancy amidst the global resurgence of authoritarianism. The narrative follows Ui, a small-time mobster who becomes a dictator, mirroring historical and contemporary threats of fascism and autocracy.
Rincón, reflecting on her personal loss, where the bureaucracy denied a family access to a loved one’s funeral, finds a connection to the play’s themes of cruelty and politics. Veteran actor David A. Walker describes the role as complex and impactful, aiming to provoke thought on political issues.
The production, characterized by fast, chaotic rehearsals, draws on Brecht’s unique style that blends archetypal characters with political satire. Rincón believes the play’s message is more relevant now than ever, citing global violence and oppression. “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” will be performed on October 4 and 5 at the Elaine Wolf Theatre. Further details can be found at visionbox.org.
