What I liked
The pain of the father, his hesitation to really connect with his son as he was lost inside himself. The lost hopes and dreams and as he didn’t know himself, he couldn’t really connect with his son…and his own fears and worry about his own choices haunting him of what could have been, should have been. The son’s hesitation at connecting with a father he was afraid to disappoint with his own hopes and dreams hidden in case the father might criticize or judge. There is a dance that goes on between the joy of the discovery vs the reality of the economics of the world we live in…now more difficult than ever before. And yet, working in a job that isn’t enjoyed creates a deep feeling of loss.
The show was about hopes and dreams and the loss of hopes and dreams. The young student with the joy reminding his teacher of the joys of the creative process, and the concern of supporting him and not repeating the pattern brought by the father. The emotional charge of wanting to support creativity and joy and the reality of making a living…a powerful dichotomy.
What I didn't like
I cannot think of anything I would change…except that the show is over; and I’d like to see it again, and have friends come too.
My overall impression
I cannot stop thinking about this show. The intimacy, the emotion, the memories of my own experience as both the creative young person with hopes and dreams and also as a parent of a young sensitive creative person wanting more for them but also not wanting to inhibit their dreams. It is a dichotomy of wanting to live in the world of creative pursuit surrounded by people telling you what is your back up plan, or you’ll never make it, or it is too competitive…and education is so expensive and you need something to make sure you can take care of yourself and not depend on anyone.
I was a therapist and had many clients who were depressed and sad because they lived their parents dream for them and not their own dreams, daunted by the fear that they would never make it…pushed by parents though as a young person to be the best, get coached, get dance lessons, acting lessons, and do all the things the parent gave up only to get to high school and then told they need to start facing the reality and get a real job as their parents feared no creative pursuit would even make them enough money.
Remembering my own early theater experiences and the joys, and the competition, and the commentary from people about needing to have a real job…the passionate joy of an audience cheering…working with other creative people doing something you love so much you can barely believe it. Its a calling, a life source, and inner-knowing.
Edgy, real, the greys in between the dark and the light…and all the steps and feelings said and unsaid. Powerful theater. Phenomenal Acting.
