Patty Gallagher and Joseph McGrath play roles in the Rogue Theatre's production of "The Good Woman of Setzuan," by Bertolt Brecht.

James Gregg / arizona daily star

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Cynthia Meier had just hit the submit button.

"It's for a grant from the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) to adapt Dante's 'Purgatorio' for the stage," said Meier, the managing director of the Rogue Theatre.

No one can fault Tucson's young theatrical company for aiming too low.

Their current target, which Meier is directing, is Bertolt Brecht's "The Good Woman of Setzuan."

"This play is funny, rich and deep, " Meier said. "I had never really had much interest in Brecht. But when I read this I thought, 'This is wonderful.' The plot is full of twists and turns, and he asks some very tough questions in a very playful way."

Brecht is undeniably one of the major voices in modern theater. Born in Germany, he was a communist sympathizer and social activist, which influenced his idea of theater as a tool for educating and identifying social ills and urging corrective action. This "Epic Theatre" encouraged thoughtful contemplation rather than emotional identification with what was happening on stage. This is his famous "alienation effect," which often included the use of historical or mythical stories, rather than contemporary "realistic" events, which emphasize parallels in current events and time.

"The Good Woman of Setzuan" is based on a Chinese fable in which three gods come to Earth in search of a truly good person. It's not easy. They finally find a young prostitute named Shen Te, who offers them hospitality when no one else will. In return, they give her a tobacco shop, but people take such advantage of her, so she disguises herself as a man, inventing a hard-nosed alter ego — who she claims is her cousin, Shui Ta — to protect her interests. More and more, Shen Te feels it necessary to set aside her compassion and caring nature and let Shui Ta govern. When he is in charge, the business grows and profits increase. But he can be downright vicious in pursuing these ends.

Meier said: "Brecht asks if it is possible for kindness to exist in the world. How do the rich and poor live together? Do we really have to subject our compassionate nature to an alter ego, an evil twin, to thrive in the world? How do we cope with the despair that comes from such a state of affairs? Is it always about what I can get out of it? Is it always about striking a bargain — this for that?

"And yet, it's a very funny play."

Meier said there are several unique features of the Rogue production.

"One is the use of puppets. We've teamed with Tucson Puppet Works to use these huge 8-foot puppets with enormous heads. They are the gods, and they are just wonderful."

In addition, musical director Harlan Hokin has arranged Stefan Wolpe's score — Wolpe was Brecht's friend and collaborator.

"There's an an edge to the lovely melodies," said Meier. "We also have some great singers in the cast, and their ensemble numbers are really great."

The actress who plays Shen Te, Patty Gallagher, specializes in physical theater, masks and clowns, said Meier.

"In fact, she is currently director-in-residence at the Clown Conservatory at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts," Meier said.

"She brings a really unique approach to this character.

"If you are dealing with all these big questions that Brecht puts out there, what better guide through the despair than a clown?"