It's been something of a long journey for the plays I wrote back in February. Before I continue with that story, concluding with the performances two weeks ago, I must place credit where credit is due. I just wrote some words down, but it was Giselle and Mandy and especially all the great students who put in the effort and created a rewarding experience for everyone involved: teachers, students, writers, and the large audience (one that rivals any of my other shows).
So around lunchtime on Thursday, June 24 the two adult drama classes at the Bais Ezra Dayhab in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn performed for their peers Saltlick and the Robot as well as a set of improvised scenes, the largest game of Charades I’ve ever seen, and a number from Mary Poppins (a crowd-favorite). Basically, if no one understood a thing about my play (Pies, robots, and dancing townsfolk?), then at least “A Spoonful of Sugar” would get the toes tapping and put a smile on each face before they went out the door. But the long semester of rehearsals and exercises really showed during the performances.
Just the courage to take the stage, whether to perform lines from memory or to act out a Charades clue (such as “swimming,” “baking challah,” and even “horseshoe crab”), was just amazing to see in person. You couldn’t miss seeing the confidence in their faces, the support they gave each other, and how they relished the opportunity to demonstrate their accomplishment. I had worked with the groups on three occasions before this, but I was surprised by the characters they were creating—when given the freedom to take on a role besides themselves—and the spontaneous moments of brilliance (in no particular order): the Sherriff, clearly and loudly delivering her lines; another actor for giving more life and expression to the Robot while remaining more in character than I thought possible; the actor playing Old Amos, nailing his demonstration of the robot dance; or the on-the-floor impersonation of a horseshoe crab; or the improvised exploits of a pair of sisters at the zoo together. And all the while, there were Giselle and Mandy stepping in where needed with lines, ideas, and directions to help everyone pull off their best possible work.
Could the audience hear or understand my play? Probably not. But could they identify the Charades clues acted out? Yes, rather well it seemed. And for those men and women stepping out of their routine, being entertained by live theater, and seeing their peers doing something only people on TV or film do—it just could have made their day. I know it made mine, and surely the same goes for everyone on stage.
Pictures!
First, Saltlick and the Robot
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| Doing the Robot! |
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| Mandy directing |
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| Presenting the pies to the robot/judge |
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| The stage picture |
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| Overwhelming the robot with pies |
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| Everyone wins! |
Then, improve scenes:
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| Going to the zoo |
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| Giselle directing |
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| Baking challach |
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| Exercising |
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| A Spoonful of Sugar from Mary Poppins |
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| Curtain Call |
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