Being a Fan

I went to a men's college basketball game earlier this year (My sports superstitions for basketball are basically non-existent unlike other sports.) It reminded me of a story.

I went to a family wedding up in Connecticut. As we arrived at the reception, the person next to me grabbed my arm and said, "Oh my God that's Geno. Look, it's Geno!"

I said, very sincerely, "I don't know who that is l,but I am very excited for you."

"I'm going to talk to him," he said.

"Go for it," I said. 

We later found out that a relative at the wedding, who worked at UConn, had been in conversation with Geno Auriemma who was helping a kid find a spot for their own wedding reception. So relative said, oh you can stop by our family's reception and see if you like the set up. Little did they know they made other guest's day and possibly even year. 

Being a fan of things is fun. Other people being fans of things, even when they are things I am not deeply into, is so much fun. Half the fun of all the "Heated Rivalry" discourse has been watching people go all in, comparing books to show, making fan edits, discussing their favorite scenes.

Being excited about things is great stuff. Being excited about books, or sports, and/or books about sports is so wonderful. 

Be a fan of things. 

Tara Kennedy

Note: If you are reading this outside of your work hours, feel free to hold off response until work hours.

The Power of No

There is a thing people say about how the word no is a complete sentence. As in, no I will not be doing that. Or no, if you do that, I will not be applauding you or supporting you. It of course doesn't mean you always get your way. There are moments when it is useful to be in brainstorm mode. To say, oh great idea but what if we did this instead. If everyone is trying to figure out where to eat dinner, then just saying no is not helpful. (Unless you are saying, no, I'm going home.) No to Chinese but yes to Mexican is helpful.

But there are times when the no itself is important. No, I do not approve that message. No, I am not okay with this. No I will not tell this person about your great idea. No. No. No.

No, of course, does not always mean you get your way. But showing up to say, no it still powerful and important. When we are taught history the focus is often on what the people with the most power did. And that sometimes elides the complicated discussions they were having, and the people outside the room who had thoughts and feelings too.

Even when the powers that be continue on with their choices, joining with others to say no is useful. It reminds them you are watching. It reminds others who though they were the only one who hated it, that they are not alone. And it can help move later decisions in different directions. 

"As You Like It" at the Folger Shakespeare Theater

"As You Like It" is one of Shakespeare's comedies, which basically means everyone doesn't die at the end. It uses two setting the court and the forest of Arden where folks who have been banished from court have gone to hang out. Basically there's a disgraced Duke, the younger son of a deceased Duke, whose brother has refused to look after him, and then we add the daughter of a disgraced Duke, and her cousin who refused to let her lovely cousin be banished without her. There's some disguising oneself as a man, since two women wandering a forest seems a bit unsafe. And by the end there's been love, betrayal, redemption, and a little revenge. 

This particular production, in a theater where one might have to walk by the US Capitol building to enter, used the duality of DC. The Capitol building representing the court, the federal DC, the place where decisions are made. And the more loved in parts of the city, with street murals, and people, Black people in particular, trying to live and support each other with the resources they have. 

Folger has used DC as it's setting before, and I always enjoy seeing how they do it. The cast was wonderful. The costume design was fabulous and there was one pair of boots in particular that I personally want. 

They commissioned some original songs for the show (yes, music, almost like a musical!) that added to the sense of community a merriment. All in all, it was a great time.

Note: I saw a masked performance. They were allowing food and drink in the theater, so masking was not consistent among patrons. 

"Safety Not Guaranteed" at Signature Theater

Content note: discussions of grief

There was a movie version of this first. I have not watched it, though I am now intrigued. I basically read the description of the show, which boiled down to a classified ad seeking a time travelling partner and including the titular line, safety not guaranteed, and I was in. 

The cast is only six, plus the band, and there are a few moments where the cast interacts directly with the band, either using them as extras or demanding musical responses

 All musicals use a little hand waving as far as the other cast members pausing or even participating while one character sings their deep thoughts. 

Here the characters grab microphones, utilize mic stands. They are rocking with the band. 

So, what's it about. Someone forwards an ad seeking a time travelling partner to a magazine in Seattle. One lead reporter and two interns decide to go to the small town mentioned in the ad to interview the guy who placed it. Each of them end of making connections and revisiting the choices that led them all there in this town. 

The songs are powerful at times goofy and earnest at others. There is one song about how the world is full of mostly jagholes. 

The cast was great. The band was great. 

Also, special shout out to the costume designer, in addition to distinct clothes for each character, there is an incredible moment that I don't want to spoil to much, but let's just say the character's jacket lights up. It is delightful. 

It is fun goofy, and emotional show. 

Note: I saw a masked matinee. 

"Inherit the Wind" at Arena Stage

Content note: off stage death. 

We read "Inherit the Wind" in high school and I adored it. I described it to a coworker as a story about a teacher who gets in trouble for teaching Biology, which is both true and taking a side. The program note mentions that the show is talking about bigger issues than who is right and who is wrong. So me taking a side in the court case is sort of beside the point. The case in the play has an obvious real world basis. But of course the play looks at both the case but also the town. How a small town tried to both show up and show off for the reporters and famous people drawn to this case that has garnered national attention.

I had last seen Rebecca Madeira, who plays Rachel, in "A Wrinkle in Time" so I was pleased they incorporated singing into it. The original play has only Rachel as a main canonically female character. The show made use of a non-binary actor, and also some gender bent casting as well as color conscious casting. The ensemble players played children, adults, and folks of multiple genders. "Gilmore Girls" fans will recognize Dakin Matthews, who is playing Harrison. 

The case at the center of the story is about a science teacher who teaches about Darwin's theory of evolution in a state where such teaching is banned. The case garners national attention, and a former presidential candidate, and a well known city defense attorney each come to town to provide prosection and defense.

The play is obviously sadly timely. And of course the themes of outsiders coming to help decide the fate of what happens to one teacher in a small town, and the way the magnified attention makes everyone feel like they can't just work it out is of course a problem that spans generations. 

While I don't agree that there isn't a right and wrong side for this case, I do love and understand a good metaphor. I understand the broader themes and even if my favorite two lines happen to be Mr. Drummond's.

I often talk about conversation plays, though of course all good shows should engender conversation. This one is based on true events. But the play was written in 1950's, a generation or so later. It was in fact written during another time when certain things being said out loud in a classroom were considered a concern. 

The direction allowed for gestures and movement. Some characters walked up into the aisles. If you like watching the actor not speaking, it is fun. And it helps remind the audience, this isn't just about the people yelling. The play starts and ends with two playful kids running around.