Anatomy of Gray

Last night, I was given the privilege, nay the pleasure of watching the Seaman High School play. I was really there to watch a couple of my kids star in it; but still it was a great way to spend a Thursday night. Becca Sells was one of the lead roles; June Mouldon. If you have seen the play, and know Becca; the acting part could not have been very difficult for her. Her character is really just a portrayal of who she is off of stage. One point during the show, had the doctor limited her character to only one question a day. This is a strategy that has crossed my mind with Becca as well. The day dreaming, the questions, the overall disposition of her character was simply Becca. She did phenomal. Nathan was a townsperson. He was actually the understudy for a character named Homer. If you knew Nathan, his disposition would be better suited for the Doctor; however, he would have made a fine Homer. He did a fine job of entering and exiting on cue.

A couple things I learned about plays:

1. It is common to bring the leads flowers for their performance. I took flowers to Becca for the Nutcraker last year, but was unaware of this tradition in theatre as well.

2. I do not pay good enough attention during key parts of the play. Relying on the rewind button on my DVD player gets me through movies. There is no rewind on theatre.

3. I am not made to understand the end of plays.

SPOILER ALERT (due to the nature of this section the ending will be given away)

When I was in 4th grade, I watched Seaman High School put on DAMN YANKEES. During the final act there was a bomb threat on the school. I have never got to see the end of the play. Does he get his soul back? What happens to Lola? I still live in constant turmoil over the ending.

Anatomy of Gray ended with two healthy people and a baby sailing off down the river. The doctor then finds the problem with the water. End of play. I have never been more angry with an ending in all my life. I have a healthy respect for those who tie up all the loose ends. If I wanted to imagine an ending, I would make up my own story. Leonard (the author) is telling me a story then leaving me hanging, which is rude.

Overall I loved the play, enjoyed hanging out with Clay in the back, and loved getting to see my kids act.

The Capital Journal wrote about it here: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/111308/lei_355452739.shtml