It’s one of the most obscure classics in the theatre canon. Georg Buchner’s “Woyzeck” stands among the great works of theatre that not only transformed audiences and artists understanding of what could be done on stage, but it also continues to highlight social justice issues around the impact of poverty and societal oppression on the most vulnerable.

Opening at North Seattle College’s Stage One Theatre on September 16 and playing through October 1, Seattle Theatre Works in collaboration with 14/48 Member Projects presents this rarely produced classic in the spirit the writer intended – a gritty, boundary breaking, thinking person’s drama that will raise awareness about the role society has to play in the oppressive forces that weigh on those living in poverty. 

Based on a real murder case that took place in Germany in 1810 involving one of the first insanity defenses in legal history, “Woyzeck” tells the story of a soldier struggling to survive abject poverty with a common law wife and new child. To make ends meet, he does his military service, performs odd jobs for his eccentric Captain, and subjects himself to strange experiments by a Doctor who forces him to eat only a diet of peas. As the forces bearing down on his existence begin to cause him to lose grip on his sanity, Woyzeck is forced over the edge when he discovers that his common law wife, Maria, engages in an affair with another soldier. 

“Woyzeck” is adapted and directed by Daniel Tarker with design support by Steve Cooper (Lighting), Amy Lazerte (Costumes) Michael Owcharuk (Sound & Music), and Kim Rosin (Sets) with production support from Justin Babbitt (Stage Manager) and Kali Greenberg (ASM).

The cast includes Sarah Bixler (Ensemble), Leo Campbell-Klein (Ensemble), Peter Cook (The Captain), Matthew Edwards (Andre), Mike Gilson (Drum Major), Stephanie Graham (Marie), Chris Mayse (Woyzeck), Zoey Poole (Girl), Corey Sprull (Ensemble), Aaron Sterne (Boy), and Steven Sterne (The Doctor).