Creator/Director Professor Kade Mendelowitz (left) and Director of Photography Assistant Professor Maya Salganek on a day shoot for "The Messenger". Below: Tricia Bates as Francine prepares for filming for a scene from "The Messenger".

If God sent an Angel to Earth, would you listen to what he had to say?  That is the overarching premise of this season’s ambitious multimedia production of “The Messenger” by faculty professor Kade Mendelowitz.
         After hearing reports of a self-proclaimed Angel and Messenger of God, Michael, the leading role is an invited guest of America’s latest talk-show phenomenon: “The Jessie Show”.  The host, Jessica Lamech, has been facing her own private crisis of faith when this unique opportunity presents itself.  The network, recognizing the huge ratings potential of such an event has heavily advertised a live prime-time special – and you are invited to the taping!  The unprecedented televised interview is what will take place during the October 21-30, 2011 live performances in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre on UAF’s campus in a joint production of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Theatre & Film Departments.
         On Friday, May 4, 2012 the premiere screening of “The Messenger” movie will be presented – also in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre.  From here, the film will be entered into various film festivals, celebrating the unique interdisciplinary Film degree program approved by the Board of Regents last year.
         Designer, playwright, and director Kade Mendelowitz created this multi-faceted production to match the distinctive nature of the programs at UAF.  “I have been percolating this idea of combining a show that could be both a live theatre production and movie for a few years now, as we have been developing the Film program.  Now that the Film Degree at UAF is official, I felt this was the perfect time to produce this piece.”  Mendelowitz has authored two multimedia educational theatre, and produced “Water Stealers” – a platinum award-winning science fiction adventure which premiered at the Goldstream Regal Cinemas in 2004.  He’s also created the animated shorts "Hounds" and "Love at First Light" which won “Best in Animation” at the Fairbanks Film Festival.

Parental Guidance Suggested Due to some mature subject matter, parents are cautioned.  The UAF Theatre Department believes that if this production were rated by the Motion Picture Association it would be rated PG-13.  Please see our website for specific content guidelines.  www.TheatreUAF.org/TheMessenger/

         In 1999 he adapted and directed a production of “Alice in Wonderland” in which the audience actually followed an Alice and White Rabbit through Wonderland.  “It was truly wonderful!  We had 10 scenes located throughout the Salisbury Theatre complex.  The audience had tickets that broke them into groups of 12 spaced 10 minutes apart.  Each of 4 Alice’s and 4 Rabbits took each audience group on a 40 minute adventure, each going 3 times.  This meant the other characters they visited and interacted with (like the Mad Hatter, Mouse, Queen and Caterpillar) each performed their scene 12 times each night.  It was a blast, and the audience loved it!  Some parents bought their kids numerous times to see different Alices…but the show sold out quickly…it was a great experience” says Mendelowitz.

“The Messenger” premiere is currently slated for Saturday, May 4, 2012 @ 7:00pm. For more information about "The Messenger"; please check out the project blog at: http://theatreuaf.org/themessenger/