Cast to ‘play God’ in production

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One heart. Three patients. One decision. That is the main theme of “The God Committee,” the next Baker University theater production.

The play is a drama about a hospital transplant selection committee and the process by which patients are chosen to receive transplants.

“It’s about a committee made up of doctors, a psychiatrist, a social worker and a priest who meet weekly to determine who is moved up on the transplant list,” Patti Heiman, the director of the play, said.

In the situation, there is one heart available for transplant but three people who need it to survive. Each of the three patients has the same qualifications, so complications arise when deciding who deserves the transplant. The committee essentially decides who lives and who dies, which is similar to “playing God.”

“This group is in charge of deciding which patients get whatever organs are currently available,” actress Emi Kniffin said. “In the current situation, there is one heart available and three people who need it and have the qualifications for it, so it is very complicated.”

Because of its darker and moral-questioning themes, this drama is intended for a mature audience.

“This show is a drama. It has very adult themes. College students who want to be challenged and entertained, or adults who have seen what the real world can do to people, this show will intrigue them,” actress Mackenzie Sammons said. “The theater department always enjoys the support of the Baker community.”

The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25-27 in Rice Auditorium. The last performance will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.