more theatrical ramblings... and a little politics

Welcome back to the blog. Joining me as always is my co-host, breakdancing accidents.

That's BBQ spaghetti. Yes, you read that right. St. Louis serves up spaghetti tossed in BBQ sauce and pulled pork. Your move, California.

On Monday I caught "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later" at Webster University in St. Louis. As the name suggests, the Tectonic Theater Project returned to Laramie, Wyoming ten years after their first trip (from which the original "Laramie Project" was born) and caught up with the citizens they interviewed to create the original play. In honor of the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death on Monday, staged readings of "10 Years Later" was performed simultaneously by theater companies all over the world.

I was in "The Laramie Project" years ago, and still remember it as one of the most rewarding theatrical experiences I've had. The world of Laramie and its inhabitants becomes a part of you, and it was fascinating and sobering to be reintroduced to them all over again. The play also covered the defeat of Wyoming's own "Defense of Marriage" Act. If the "Cowboy State" can do it, anyone can. (Once again, your move, California).

Unfortunately, the collection of interviews that told the story wasn't nearly as well composed as the original (indeed, that's a tall order). The acting was hit or miss in some places, despite a mostly Equity cast from touring companies. However, I must say my first and second favorite actors in the piece were clones of Abraham Lincoln and Ben Margalith, respectively. These guys were ballers, but the rest of the cast was a mixed bag. Top it off with sound design consisting of generic piano music piped into the theater at arbitrary moments, and you have a mildly engaging night of theater.

Overall, I appreciated the reading more as a work of journalism than as a work of theater.I'm thankful the Tectonic Theater Project revisited the Matthew Shepard story. It still needs to be told; as the story itself and the national struggle behind it are still evolving.

Plus, I'm down for any ensemble led by Abe and Ben.

Moving on, lets see if we can't lighten the mood... anything to add to the subject, breakdancing accidents?

Ah yes, very poignant.

And now, a brief foray into another pressing matter. When I started this blog, I promised myself I wouldn't let the discussion get too political, but my friends, I feel there is an issue that has been pushed aside in the national political zeitgeist as of late. Thankfully, I recently came across a galvanizing article on the subject that frankly articulates it much better than I ever could. It is my privilege to share it with you, and hopefully re-open conversation on this issue.


Whew! Next blog post will be shorter, I promise. For those of you who made it all the way to the end, lets hear from breakdancing accidents one more time.