I’m not a theatre critic and should know better than to even pretend to try; however, inexperience has never stopped me before and everyone knows that if I want to say something I’m going to say it.
Last night’s performance of “Under The Influence” was four stars.
When Ms. Knowles introduced the performance she said that this was a production that the students wanted to do. Did they ever! The students delivered their soliloquies with such passion that you wanted to rush the stage and hug each one because of the pain they showed through their performance.
This was a dark play often with only one actor in a lonely light. Much like it is as a loved one of an addict. I was surprised at the way this play delivered its message. The heart of this message was not about someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “Under the Influence” is about what addiction and alcohol abuse does to the loved ones of addicts and alcoholics. I found myself not seeing those actors on stage; I watched and saw myself on that stage. Some of those scenes were way, way too close to reality. Too many times I found my gut twisted listening to what could have been myself on that stage.
When the final bow was taken I didn’t know whether to clap or sit in a respectful silence to what I just witnessed.
I wondered if I was the only one feeling so emotional following this performance due to our personal involvement with addiction in our family. I think not. Ms. Knowles related to me that some of the actors mentioned they saw people in the audience wiping tears. One of the other resource people at a table in the foyer told me, “They should take this on the road, every student in the school should be required to see this, they need to go to every school in this city and perform this play.”
Four stars, ten stars, one hundred stars, I don’t care what number you want to put on this, this is MUST SEE. Too bad I didn’t win that huge lottery this week, if I had I’d fly every one of my readers to Basehor, KS to see this performance.
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Perhaps they would consent to having it recorded and put on youtube or the likes. I would LOVE to see it.
Great idea to have it recorded and put on youtube! I would love to see it too. I am so glad it was so powerful....that says to me that some of those actors must have felt the touch of addiction in their own personal lives to be able to convey their message with such passion. Such a great opportunity for so many to hear the message of hope of healing from addiction.
Sorry, I already ask about the you tube thing and there are copyright issues with that.
I would love to see that too. I have a friend who is trying to do something like that as she works with troubled kids. Funny that she is well respected in the Teaching community and working with children yet she can't seem to get the schools to allow anything regarding drugs in.
Obviously, we know it helps and works. Good for these students who were able to perform something so powerful and needed. I hope one day they can take it on the road.
Video tape it for all of your out of state followers!
Maybe they will take it on the road! I hope if they do, they could take it across the country. Maybe these students can challenge other students at other schools to do something similar.
Or - how about approaching them to do an actual short film that can be submitted to the tons of film festivals across the country? I have several connections that would LOVE this idea. In fact one called while I was typing this asking me to volunteer on a new festival that just got off the ground.
Dang, it stinks that it can't be put on Youtube, it would go viral so fast and could benefit so many people (especially kids who have not yet tried drugs and still have the ability to actually care about hurting their families).
Can it be put on u tube? It would be good to distribute it.
oh my gosh I would love to see it. I hope somehow it can be recorded. Ron, I know you're a guy and all, but did you cry? Because I'm sure I would have. By the way, one of Son2's friends at college made a short documentary film about Son2 and his girlfriend and addiction for the school's film festival last year. It was hard to watch for me, but the kids were pretty proud of it. In a lot of ways Son2 is a lot braver than me. Tough to come out with that on the big screen, WOW.
sorry i couldn't make it Ron, but thank you for offering up the opportunity. Had a difficult time getting a hold of one of the other teachers. Also, keep your brother and your whole family in my prayers!
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