By David B. Boyce, Standard-Times correspondent
Though Herman Melville's Ishmael came but grudgingly to New Bedford to begin his famous adventure, on "a very dark and dismal night, bitingly cold and cheerless," it took only the light of the next day for him to gain an appreciation for the city. In its time, New Bedford embraced the novel as its own, recognizing its detailed accounts as a documentation of the industry it had come to dominate. With the turning of the calendar to this 2001 millennial year, the Whaling City begins a celebration of "Moby-Dick" and its 150-year longevity. Quite coincidentally, New Bedford is poised on the brink of a renaissance that holds exciting possibilities for the arts in the area, and, with the novel's anniversary, SouthCoast residents will be seeing and hearing a great deal about Melville over the coming months. Among the first of these offerings are two performances of a new short play at the Whaling Museum theater at 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday. These performances are presented under the auspices of The Whaling Museum and AHA!, and are free to the public. "The Everlasting Itch: Meditations on Water and Longing" is a multimedia production by a new creative entity called Culture Park, based in New Bedford, and founded by native Patricia Thomas and her creative partner Rebecca Schade. According to its mission statement, Culture* Park is a performing arts collaborative seeking "to promote and nurture the rich and diverse cultural life of New Bedford through theatre and the performing arts." In addition, it intends to provide support for emerging performance works by local artists, as well as to offer creative workshops and classes for the general public. Ms. Thomas and Ms. Schade have extensive backgrounds in theater, and the visual and cinematic arts. Ms. Thomas is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School, was a music major at the University of Lowell, and trained with the Trinity Rep Conservatory in Providence, where she was cast in such productions as "Cloud Nine," "Translations," "Dead Souls," and "Baby," and several of its productions of "A Christmas Carol," among others. She has acted, directed, and taught internationally in Switzerland, Japan, and Russia. After four years abroad and returning to Boston, Ms. Thomas worked with City Stage, the Theater Offensive, Boston Center for the Arts, Emerson College, Coyote Theater, Hasty Pudding and Theatrics! Ms. Schade, a native of eastern Maryland, has worked in film, video and graphic design for 20 years, winning several national and international awards. She is also a songwriter and the author of a new screenplay. Drawing on Melvillian literary themes, and the correspondence he conducted with fellow writer and mentor Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Everlasting Itch" employs photographic and video projections, music, and the talents of Providence actor Chris Perrotti. The "itch" alludes to the lure, mystery, and romance of the sea, and to Ahab's obsessive hunt for mastery and control. Distilling the essence of these considerable subjects into a 20-minute presentation could be a daunting challenge, but the inherent possibilities of a multimedia performance offer a flexible vehicle for impressionistic strokes and licks. "The Everlasting Itch: Meditations on Water and Longing" will be presented by Culture* Park at the Whaling Museum theater. Under the auspices of AHA!, admission is free. For further information about Culture* Park and its programs, call (508) 996-0122.