Photograph by Chad Pilster
Rehearsing a scene from 'Backlight' are (from left) Megan Duncan, Jim Van Over, Scott Simmons and William Lawrenson. In the background is a mural which is being painted at the Little Theater in memory of Doug Leverich.
'Backlight' fulfills wishes of a friend
By Jason Baker
Doug Leverich's friends are keeping a promise. While a student at Saratoga High School, Leverich reveled in the arts, writing, acting, designing and dreaming of his day in the theater spotlight. As a theater student at UCLA, he continued his training, cherishing his time both on and off the stage. But those times were cut tragically short, as Leverich passed away in 1997 after a three-month battle with cancer.
While at Saratoga, Leverich expressed a desire to produce an original play, a wish school officials had promised would someday be fulfilled. Leverich never fulfilled the dream of seeing his works produced, but thanks to the hard work of some good and talented friends, the community now can see what his dreams were made of.
Backlight, a show Leverich finished while a senior at SHS, will play this summer at the school's Little Theater. Produced by El Santo Productions, with funds donated from local businesses and residents, the show features a student cast and crew of current and former Saratoga and Los Gatos residents. The actors and crew bring training from several prominent theater programs, including Vassar College, Santa Clara University, UC-Berkeley, Julliard, Northwestern University, Southern Oregon University and Washington University.
Director Jason Van Over, a Saratogan now studying theater in New York, described the play as lighthearted and multi-faceted, in many ways similar to Leverich's personality.
Van Over and Leverich grew up together, and he reflected on the quirkiness and devotion to friends that composed Leverich's personality.
"Every character in this play is Doug," Van Over said. "That's something we realized as we began working on it. The thing that best defined Doug was his dynamic--his ability to be crass and inappropriate and then completely drop that and suddenly become serious. If anyone could be split 10 different ways, it was Doug."
Not a mourning but rather a celebration, Van Over said, Backlight contains none of the elements of Leverich's struggles with cancer, but rather the words and thoughts of a creative young artist. "There are no passages about the tragedies of cancer. He finished the play when he was a senior in high school, so the only things he knew about his life then are in this play.
"We came in with the advantage of having no preconceived notions of the play. It really contains several layers of absolute truth," he continued. "In some ways, it's a college melodrama, in some ways it's a comedy ... there really are a lot of important themes."
Cast and crew member Annie Gilbert, who assisted Van Over with editing and revising the script, described the play as intensely realistic.
"It's almost as if it's actually taking place, as if the audience isn't there," she said.
Though the production is entirely student-driven, Gilbert, also a Saratoga native, said the efforts of all involved have been extraordinary.
"Everyone has been so willing to work. There have been no complaints when we're asked to stay late. Everyone's here because they want to be here," she said. "We all have a willingness to learn."
All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Camp Okizu, a recreational camp for children with cancer. Assistant producer Piper-Anne Seeger, a Los Gatos High graduate, said the company hopes to donate $2,400 or more to the organization. "I think it's great that we all have the chance to work on this together. That's one thing I would like to thank Doug for," she said.
And despite the loss of Leverich's physical presence, Van Over is certain his friend is with them in spirit. "We made some calls I'm not sure Doug would agree with, but if he's watching, I think he's pretty pleased," he said. "Every decision was made with him overlooking. And it's possible he's laughing."
"Backlight" will be performed July 22, 23, 24 and 25 at the Saratoga High School Little Theater. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved by calling 867-6474.
Saratoga, California Since 1975
