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Having the uncanny ability to transform himself into any character, comedian Ben Atherton-Zeman transfixed an audience of at least 60 on Oct. 14 while educating them on the signs of sexual dominance and abuse.
Atherton-Zemen presented his “Voices of Men” performance at the Nabnasset Lake Country Club in Westford in recognition of the national ‘Light Up the Night’ campaign, designed to raise awareness of domestic violence and abuse. October is domestic violence awareness month.
“Every second of every day men subject women to the daily indignities of sexual harassment, of paying women less, of objectification,” Atherton-Zemen said. The actor noted that his performance examines how societal change might come if men raised their voices in support of women.
The event was organized by the Westford Coalition for Non-violence which falls under the oversight of the town’s Health Department. It was sponsored by the Westford Parent Connection. Money raised will go to Alternative House, a Lowell shelter, as well as to the Live for Liv Foundation.
Live for Liv was formed in the aftermath of an act of domestic violence in February 2010 when Olivia “Liv” Marchand, 17, was killed and her mother Jody Marchand, was critically wounded. Police say Brian Marchand killed his daughter and shot his wife before killing himself.
Three weeks earlier in Westford, Frederick Leduc, then 49, shot and killed his 43-year-old wife Karen. Leduc pleaded guilty to second degree murder in April 2013 and was sentenced to life in prison.
Using voices to transform himself into iconic Hollywood characters, Atherton-Zemen transformed himself into boxer Rocky Balboa, International spy James Bond, and playboy Austin Powers. In one particularly memorable scene, Atherton-Zemen played footage from “Rocky,” showing a scene in which Balboa’s love interest, Adrian, says she’s uncomfortable entering his apartment and does so reluctantly. When she tries to leave, Balboa repeatedly asks her to stay and uses his body to block the exit door. Atherton-Zemen counted the number of times Balboa discounts Adrian’s statements of discomfort. The number climbs into the teens.
“Thumbs up for Ben Atherton-Zemen,” said Westford resident Sheila Holmes who attended the performance. “We need more men like him.”
The event was organized by Westford Health Nurse Gail Johnson. Maria Crooker, Senior Director of Supportive Services at Alternative House, addressed the audience before Atherton-Zemen’s performance.
“I wanted to point out, we at Alternative House have 15 women and about 13 children that live in confidential emergency shelter settings…,” said Crooker. “That woke up and were in a situation that left them homeless, that left them in fear, that left them at a point in their lives where they weren’t sure what was going to happen next.”
Alternative House has responded to more than 70 high risk domestic violence victims in the past three months, she added, noting there are not enough shelters across the state.
Marchand spoke about the night Olivia died after Jody and Brian had had a verbal fight.
“She was going to bake cookies,” said Marchand. “…but up came my husband with a gun and shot my daughter. I turned to go towards her to go get her, protect her, whatever, and the next thing a bullet went into my left temple, shattering my jaw and now it sits in my right shoulder.”
Marchand is now focused on telling her story to groups and individuals and visiting schools to reshape the thinking of young people.
In the final act of the evening, Atherton-Zemen used puppets depicting the Sesame Street characters of Kermit the Frog and Elmo to explain gender issues through a non-confrontational, humorous song.
“So men should listen to women for a change,” sang the Elmo character as the show ended and the audience clapped.
