what an unforgettable time
my grandson spent
with his schoolmates
helping to create
an original play in 24 hours
writers, actors, stage crew, director, light crew, props, costumes, staging, sound
it was a such a joy to see it all come to life on the stage.
—
“the theatre is so endlessly fascinating because it’s so accidental. it’s so much like life.”
-arthur miller
what an honor and a joy
to see the culmination
of my dear friend, breeda kelly miller’s
hours, days, months, year, spent
writing, creating, staging, rehearsing, distilling
and bringing the story of her mother, mary kelly
to life on stage at the world premiere
of her emotional and brilliant one-woman play,
Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home.
the arthur miller theater, ann arbor, the university of michigan
—
“you should feel a flow of joy because you are alive. your body will feel full of life.
that is what you must give from the stage. your life. no less. that is art: to give all you have.”
-anton chekhov
Directed by Brian Cox, a Pencilpoint Theatre Production. Go to mrskellysjourneyhome.com for updates.
like our local theater
we will be back
after taking an intermission.
—
“i lost the plot for a while then. and i lost the subplot, the script,
the soundtrack, the intermission, my popcorn, the credits, and the exit sign.”
―
—
image credit – ann arbor townies, prashant kuma, michigan theater
on the day before thanksgiving
school was out
kids had energy to burn
so I borrowed the big car
to round everyone up
and
enjoy an afternoon with
two grandies
four neighborhood friends
and a lot of smuggled-in candy
while settling into
comfy seats
at the local theater.
one tried pre-filling his Santa hat
to the top with treats
before we left his house
but the group voted and decided
it was unsteady, looked suspicious,
and would quickly reveal our scheme.
it’s all about teaching life skills.
“the magic of film isn’t just because of the big screen,
or the acoustics,
but he ineffable shared experience of going to the movies.”
-fernando perez
Diana Turner sings her heart out
—
as the name would imply
this was not your ordinary theater performance
a story told in song
next to normal
is a tale that will touch your every emotion
when a family lets you into their living room and their lives
as they try to navigate their way
through the relentless storms that mental illness can bring
with a story and score that won a pulitzer and numerous Tony awards
I was not be able to turn my eyes or ears away from what was in front of me
with larger than life heartbreaking voices
pouring out their souls
on a tiny stage in this tiny 32-seat theater.
it was a very potent cocktail.
—
“make them laugh, make them cry, and back to laughter.
what do people go to the theatre for?
an emotional exercise.
I am a servant of the people.
I have never forgotten that.”
-mary pickford
—
credits: slipstream theater initiative, barbie weisserman, music theater international
I didn't have my glasses on.... 