All night long...

thought about the play, The Bitter Taste, that I had seen at the Public, part of the Under the Radar series that is playing there now. The one man show, begins in the spirit of bonhommie, where the actor, who is black, invites all of the audience, both black and white to come to the stage to partake in water and soda--free, A Party? Perhaps, as the opening scene takes place in the North Philly "hood" on the day of a street party. The narrator, our guide into this hood, introduces us to all the neighborhood "characters"  and invites us to join, then gun shots ring out. In the next scene, a black father instructs his ten year old son how to behave if stopped by the police. Following that, a man in college is riding his car to his mom's surprise birthday party---he is stopped by the police, and the violence escalates---he is killed. Next is the statement of his father after the funeral, and finally the last scene in which a young black man, who has spent time in prison, vents his frustration at the hopelessness of his future. That is all---the play ends on that note, and so we go from being welcomed, to being told we are unnecessary----that all our (the white people's) good will has accomplished nothing. It is a very tough play. I was shaken when I left---want to return this afternoon for a talk back, since there was none at yesterday's performance. Thinking about the piece this morning, I realize how theatrically "savvy' it is, that is its conception and arc, in which the audience is entrapped, is very well thought out---only people with a strong sense of theater could do that. And the actor who plays these many people, an actor named Keith Wallace, is easily able to make believable and fierce the several characters that he plays on stage.
    But for me the play asks: Is theater necessary (which is ironic, since it is so well put together theatrically) ---that is if the horrific violence against innocent black people is taking place as we speak, should not I be thinking about how, in my own way, I can combat this violence, and not about what the next play or movie should be on my agenda. Will see if I can bring this up at the talk back, the snow is falling now, wonder how many people will actually be at the Public this afternoon. (Probably a lot--theater lovers are a hardy breed).
  After the play, went to the bar Burp Castle where my friend Erin was bartending. I had not seen her in  awhile, so it was good to catch up. Mentioned the play briefly, mostly we talked about what was happening to her, and of course, the election and its aftermath. That was my day.
  Interesting sidelight, the Public now has a mezzanine where people can sit--it has several book cases filled with theater books, one can't borrow or take them, but one can simply sit and read them. Nice, at least that is helping the public. It gives me another place where I can go to fill time, if necessary.
 Once again, shattered by last night's performance---will try to go to talk back this afternoon and make some statements.