The Yellow Boat, from the stylistic set and lighting design to the overwhelming message about courage, truth and compassion, is slowly gearing up to be one of the most talked about productions of the year at Siena Heights. The remarkable true story follows Benjamin Sarr and is a celebration of his life.

The story: Benjamin was born with congenital hemophilia and died in 1987 at the age of 8 of related AIDS complications. Benjamin had a unique eye and was a gifted visual artist. His imagination transformed his physical and emotional pain into a blaze of color and shapes throughout his drawings and paintings. This is a story about the affirmation of a child’s life and the strength of all children everywhere.

To Matthew Porter playing Benjamin, “Has been so much fun. To step in the shoes of a child has been rewarding.”

“You get this new perspective,” Porter said in a statement. “We need to remember we are all fighting our own battles, things that affect our lives, and he (Benjamin) was one of the most inspiring young men on paper.”

“I can only imagine what he was like in real life.”  Porter’s past credits include Next To Normal and Godspell.

The Yellow Boat is being directed by Doug Miller (chair of Theatre Siena’s program), and you may also remember he directed the little one-hit wonders, Rent and Godspell, and the hilarious farce, Noises Off! Miller has taken a different approach with Yellow Boat, as the script is wide open for many possibilities with its set and lighting.

Joni Warner is working extensively to get local schools interested in attending the special 10 a.m. showtime on Friday, Jan. 30, which is also open to the Siena Community and free of charge.

“We feel that it is truly a strong performance that speaks to the liberal arts connections, specifically social work, nursing, psychology, education, religious studies and the arts,” Warner, head of SHU’s Art Engagement Coordinator, said. “This performance speaks to our theme of ‘contemplation in action.’”

The cast features Matthew Porter (Benjamin), Autumn LaTour (Mother), Nate Adams (Father) and Rebecca Nowak (Joy), with Alison Workman, Shea McDonough, Kegan Jenkins and Victoria Long all serving as key chorus members who play doctors, teachers and even children.

“This show overall has been really interesting,” Jenkins said.

“It’s so abstract, and I get to play a lot of characters in a short amount of time, and sometimes I’m moving in and out of character within seconds and minutes.” He says his favorite part of the show is “When we are angry trees and we get to lose our inhibition as people. We are not actually people. We just help tell the story and make it an interesting acting experience.” Jenkins’ past Siena Heights credits include Rumors and Rent.

“To use your body in different ways to tell a story,” said Alison Workman, who is using Yellow Boat as her senior project.

“To be able to convey that, and make sense to the audience, you grow in all different areas of theatre.” Workman, whose major is theatre with a concentration in marketing, said that “I can take a lot away from this experience, and I’m very blessed and grateful for. I’m learning new things every day.” Workman’s past Theatre Siena credits include Pride and Prejudice and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later.

“It’s really interesting that we are doing something unlike other shows,” said freshman Victoria Long, who is making her Theatre Siena debut with Yellow Boat.

“It’s cool the different ways to hold your body and you may not necessarily be facing out to the audience the whole time, and you’re portraying different images that Benjamin is drawing, and YOU are becoming these images,” she said.

When asked how her first show was going, she had encouraging things to say about her cast. “It’s a really neat experience to work with everyone to be able to build these pictures that Benjamin has in his imagination.

The play is suitable for ages 8 and older (recommended) and grades 4-8.

Also, tune in to WABJ (1490 AM) at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 for a live radio interview with some of the cast from the show!

A special showing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30 for student groups. Tickets are $3 per child with the chaperones, who are admitted free. Those wanting to attend with a group should RSVP to Warner at [email protected] or 264-7901.

The Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 performances will be at 8 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. Tickets prices are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students at the door.