#1
Posted: 9/8/04 at 8:11am
I'd like to tell you about something happening this weekend that has to do with theatre, and the impact it's had on my family and the community they live in. But I have have to go back a little, just so you can see how it all fits in the scheme of things.
About 20 years ago, my mother moved to Coloraado to start life over for herself. One of the main things she did was audition for a local theatre company's production of Barefoot in the Park (it's funny to me that they're all the same across the country - funny, and yet very sweet.) It's something she had always wanted to do, and this was like getting your first drink of water after a slow stroll through the Sahara. It was a good group - a joint effort between a local college and the general community - and she started doing many plays with them. Including, not too long after she started, The Odd Couple - in which Oscar was played by the widowed high school speech and drama teacher (I SWEAR I'm not making this up!) They got married soon after, and set about living their new lives together in this gorgeous spot in the Colorado Rockies.
My little brother was living with them, and they decided to get involved in a production of Brighton Beach Memoirs (they DID do many other plays besides Neil's work!) My brother played Eugene, our sister and step-dad played his sister and father and my mother stage managed it. A few years later, after she had started directing for the group, she decided to do Biloxi Blues. My brother had just gotten out of the military, and she thought it was a great tie-in to the other production years earlier. I happened to be living in the valley at that point, and played Toomey in that production. She always said that she wanted to do the third play someday to 'complete the cycle.'
Well, Friday night they're opening Broadway Bound and she is directing my brother again as Eugene (but this time our step-dad is playing the grandfather
He had taken a job temporarily back in this town after having been gone for a few years, and she thought 'why not, the opportunity will never come again.'
Now, here's why I tell you this - besides the fact that I think it's interesting to have the same actor play this role in all three plays over the course of almost 20 years. As I said, my mother had found this outlet for herself after not being able to do it for most of her life - and through it she found and married the love of her life. And the fact is, she was good! She got to play many of the best roles for women, and became the local 'star' (I know, the Lunts of Blaine But the community LOVED her and her family, and they became a bit of a centerpoint for the whole group.
And now, this is pretty much the 'final curtain.' They're going to be moving away, and my brother has been so re-invigorated by this that he's ditching his computer career and going to live as a starving actor! It will be the last time my step-dad does a role, and the last time my mother directs a full show like this. And the best part is, the community is recognizing the event, and really pouring on the love and affection. I'm actually going to fly up for closing night, which is turning out to be a reunion of sorts for people who have worked over these many years with them. They're house is actually in a canyon, with the Colorado River running right in front of their door. This place has been 'party central' for almost every show - even if they weren't involved (sometimes even if they weren't in TOWN!)
So, think of them this weekend - this family that has gotten to play together, sharing one of their greatest passions and joys - not only with each other, but with the place in which they have lived their lives. They enriched the lives of so many people, and were absolutley at the center of what the REAL content of life should be - sharing, loving, helping, growing and caring. And be thankful that, in this world that has become so confusing to many, there are still places where theatre and love can change people's lives.
About 20 years ago, my mother moved to Coloraado to start life over for herself. One of the main things she did was audition for a local theatre company's production of Barefoot in the Park (it's funny to me that they're all the same across the country - funny, and yet very sweet.) It's something she had always wanted to do, and this was like getting your first drink of water after a slow stroll through the Sahara. It was a good group - a joint effort between a local college and the general community - and she started doing many plays with them. Including, not too long after she started, The Odd Couple - in which Oscar was played by the widowed high school speech and drama teacher (I SWEAR I'm not making this up!) They got married soon after, and set about living their new lives together in this gorgeous spot in the Colorado Rockies.
My little brother was living with them, and they decided to get involved in a production of Brighton Beach Memoirs (they DID do many other plays besides Neil's work!) My brother played Eugene, our sister and step-dad played his sister and father and my mother stage managed it. A few years later, after she had started directing for the group, she decided to do Biloxi Blues. My brother had just gotten out of the military, and she thought it was a great tie-in to the other production years earlier. I happened to be living in the valley at that point, and played Toomey in that production. She always said that she wanted to do the third play someday to 'complete the cycle.'
Well, Friday night they're opening Broadway Bound and she is directing my brother again as Eugene (but this time our step-dad is playing the grandfather
He had taken a job temporarily back in this town after having been gone for a few years, and she thought 'why not, the opportunity will never come again.' Now, here's why I tell you this - besides the fact that I think it's interesting to have the same actor play this role in all three plays over the course of almost 20 years. As I said, my mother had found this outlet for herself after not being able to do it for most of her life - and through it she found and married the love of her life. And the fact is, she was good! She got to play many of the best roles for women, and became the local 'star' (I know, the Lunts of Blaine
But the community LOVED her and her family, and they became a bit of a centerpoint for the whole group. And now, this is pretty much the 'final curtain.' They're going to be moving away, and my brother has been so re-invigorated by this that he's ditching his computer career and going to live as a starving actor! It will be the last time my step-dad does a role, and the last time my mother directs a full show like this. And the best part is, the community is recognizing the event, and really pouring on the love and affection. I'm actually going to fly up for closing night, which is turning out to be a reunion of sorts for people who have worked over these many years with them. They're house is actually in a canyon, with the Colorado River running right in front of their door. This place has been 'party central' for almost every show - even if they weren't involved (sometimes even if they weren't in TOWN!)
So, think of them this weekend - this family that has gotten to play together, sharing one of their greatest passions and joys - not only with each other, but with the place in which they have lived their lives. They enriched the lives of so many people, and were absolutley at the center of what the REAL content of life should be - sharing, loving, helping, growing and caring. And be thankful that, in this world that has become so confusing to many, there are still places where theatre and love can change people's lives.
