SOUTH COUNTY — On July 29, 2007, at about 6:30 p.m., on a lonely stretch of Arroyo Seco Road west of Greenfield, a small battered SUV was being driven wildly, heading back to the secluded mountain ranch the occupants called home. The man and the woman in the front seat were fighting and nearly ran into a large SUV heading in the opposite direction.
By happenstance or sheer coincidence — or maybe divine intervention — the large SUV was occupied by two off-duty Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies.
That random occurrence led to the dramatic investigation and criminal trial of one of the most inspiring cases in South County resident David Norum’s long law enforcement career. It was a case of 20 years of unspeakable domestic violence played out in front of many witnesses who did little or nothing until that fateful day in July.
Now retired as a district attorney investigator, Norum is also a longtime local actor, director and playwright. This case inspired his latest theater project, “My Name Is…”, premiering this weekend at the Pink Flamingo Theater in Monterey.
Norum has been working on various versions of this play for more than five years. Originally a five-minute monologue, then a 30-minute one act, this is the first full production of the full-length play.
Norum decided to tell the story from the perspective of 16 of the actual women who were directly involved. It is based on his interviews with them as well as transcripts from the trial.
The play features 16 distinguished actors from all over the Central Coast, including South County residents Araceli Alvarado, Bella Apodaca, Sarah Hinderscheid, Jamie Jones, Kaatia Larsen and Elizabeth LaVelle.
“My Name Is…” is being produced at the Pink Flamingo Theater, 2115 N. Fremont St., in Monterey on Fridays and Saturdays, March 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 each and can be reserved by calling 831-238-2399 or going to https://mynameis.brownpapertickets.com. Due to the subject matter and adult language, parental guidance is suggested.
