#124 - Don't Like Empty Theatres

Live Theatre

It's sad to think of all the closed theatres in the country. In May, I read that our own Alley Theatre in Houston, laid off about 100 staff members and cut its budget  by 7 million. It's mid July and things have only gotten worse.

Hamilton

Back in April, I figured Broadway and other regional theaters would open again by summer. Seems like everyone (but me) had tickets to see the touring production of Hamilton. Those shows have obviously been cancelled, but something nice happened.

Recently, it became possible to watch Hamilton from our very own couch. Ordinarily, that would sound like a lousy way to experience the award-winning musical. But, right along with about a zillion people, Don and I signed up for  "Disney Plus", so we could stream the recorded play (with original cast!) at home.  

Comic Relief

We turned off all the lights and turned the sound way up. It actually felt like we were looking up at a real stage... except that I was wearing pajama pants. 

I found myself grinning as I absorbed the incredible music.

​The rhythm and energy kept me totally delighted. No nodding off for me. I was on the edge of my... couch. In fact it was hard to sit still. If I'd been a kid, I would have gotten up and danced along.
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Although, thinking back to watching plays as a kid... I was pretty good at sitting still. I learned very young how to be reserved in my theatre seat. No foot tapping. Not whispering. It actually felt really nice to watch this production and squirm and sway and tap and laugh. And man, it felt so good to howl with laughter, at King George lll ! What comic relief!

Mix of Joy and Grief

This production was filmed about 4 years ago. No one knew then, how many people would experience Hamilton for the first time, on their TVs, during a pandemic. Feeling all the emotions of the play, was just what the doctor ordered.

For most of us, these past months have been filled with big ups and downs. It was such an escape to watch the uplifting choreography and to hear the talented voices. But it also felt good to absorb the grief and despair, in some of the wrenching scenes. We need to just feel, sometimes!

Catharsis

I learned about catharsis, when studying Greek plays in high school. I understand a lot more about the power of catharsis today. I was 7, when my sister and I played roles in a production of Oedipus Rex. It was quite an introduction to the emotions of Greek Tragedy. I didn't know the word catharsis then, but I knew I was supposed to cry.

My dad directed the play and I remember him trying to explain the story. This is how I remember it.
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Our mother was a queen and she  killed herself. Our father (Oedipus) was so upset that he just stabbed out his eyes in grief.
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I don't think I ever asked why our father (Oedipus) had black skin and my sister and I didn't. Funny, because that was probably a really big deal in 1964.

So I've rambled on this blog post long enough. I'll just say, I enjoyed the catharsis of Hamilton. I enjoyed the fun of being reminded of my childhood theatre memories. Strange that I will always associate Hamilton, with this pandemic period.