It is deeper than right or wrong and harder to discern than the notions of love and lust. It is, simply put, that uncontrollable urge that forces a person to act against their better judgment.
Such was the theme acted on stage at the world premiere of “Murderous Innocent” by Tommy Jamerson. The performances, taking place on Oct. 16 through Oct. 20 in the Vonnie Borden Theatre, were striking and gripping while at the same time controversial in content.
“Sometimes you can’t explain it; there’s just something that draws you to someone even though you know you shouldn’t, couldn’t and can’t, but you do, and I think it was absolutely that,” said Jarred Marlatt, guest actor and player of protagonist Jacob, when asked to summarize the play.
The play begins light-hearted and comedic as it opens with Jacob and his wife Sarah, played by junior general studies major Lynsey Manley, awaiting the arrival of Jacob’s daughter Dani, played by freshman education major Jaimee Rome. The twist here that supplies the underlying tension of this early scene is that the two have never met. Sarah leaves for a business trip and Dani and Jacob have time to get to know each other and develop a relationship.
The relationship that is developed, however, is more than an innocent father-daughter connection. Dani happens to be the spitting image of her mother, Hillary, who was Jacob’s college fling. Jacob, seeing much of Hillary in Dani, cannot resist the chemistry they share. The ensuing scenes give a new definition to father-daughter bonding.
“It was really well acted, really well directed and really well lit,” said Kristi Davis, a member of the audience. “I really liked it, but it was pretty awkward.”
The tension and passion-filled scenes drew immediate reaction from the audience. Members gasped and cringed at the sight of seeing Jacob and Dani share a bed. However, there is something about the relationship that makes it feel right even though it is clearly wrong.
“For this play to work, you have to feel for all three characters. You have to like all three characters,” said Director Jim Winter. “As crazy as it sounds, one of the things I tried to steer it towards was that as you watched Jacob and Dani fall in love, there would be a part of you, even if you liked Sarah, that was rooting for them.”
After realizing what he has done, Jacob tries to cover his tracks and prepare for Sarah’s return. The startling revelation is made that Dani was the product of an adulterous relationship between Jacob and Hillary only a year into his marriage with Sarah. The love triangle does not get any less complicated when Sarah figures out that Jacob slept with Dani.
The play ends tragically, Jacob sitting alone on the couch while Dani slowly walks out of the door. The audience is left with the impression that Sarah is gone, leaving Jacob alone to dwell in the guilt of his mistake.
“It’s just a gorgeously realized dilemma. In script and drama and the conflict just presses you against the wall with its necessity. Jacob has to be the way he is. Dani has to be the way she is. There is no other way to do it and that’s how you pull off the magic in the theatre,” said Assistant Director Selby Boriel on the stunning conclusion of the play.
While Winter did not believe there was one cohesive message that the audience would leave with, he did express the desire for the audience to understand that all three characters were imperfect. Whether the audience loved it or hated it, these characters were made to be relatable.
 “I wanted the audience to walk away with an understanding that they are all human and that sometimes one mistake, one moment can bring it all  crashing down and we’re all capable of that moment, whether it’s a want, a need, a desire or an emptiness, any one of us is capable of making a decision… something that just kind of shatters the foundations of what we know.”
While “Murderous Innocent” has ended, Southeastern Theatre will be back in action with a production of “The Bacchae” by Euripides. The play will be directed by Cody Stockstill and will run Nov. 13 through Nov. 16. More information can be found online at www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/theatre.