Theater In A Blue State

A friend of mine received free tickets to a play last night, and luckily she asked me to come along. The show is called Screen Play and is produced by The Nora Theatre Company.

I highly recommend it. Think about the radio shows from the 1950s, where all the actors stand up in a row and read the scripts in front of them. That's what these actors do. It took a little getting used to, but the play is so well-written and well-performed, that you find yourself lost in the story. And there was a small mishap at the end, when two of the characters sort of fell into some scenery and almost had it topple on them. Luckily, they were able to prevent it and did some quick improvisation so that it was quite comical. Good save!

The play is set in Nick's Bar in Buffalo, New York in 2015. Imagine what our country will be like if we keep on the course that we are on now. Not a pretty sight. Everyone is trying to get out of the country and into Canada, but passports are being revoked. A couple wanders into Nick's Bar. He is a staunch blue stater, fighting for freedom, but he knows his life is in danger. Little does he know, that his wife knew Nick from a long time ago. When we learn about the characters' pasts, we go back to the 2000 election and all that followed.

Although the play is original and set in the future, the old-fashioned radio feel, music, characters, imagery and humor plays on our shared knowledge of the movie Casablanca.

Since we are nearing Election Eve, it was very timely that I lucked into my ticket. Screen Play is all about politics, and showing in Boston, one of the bluest cities in the blues of states, so that gives you an indication of how it is slanted. I'd definitely check out Screen Play. Say it again? Okay, round up the usual suspects, I mean your group of friends and see it. See it for me.

Screen Play
By A.R. Gurney
The Nora Theatre Company
www.thenora.org

November 2-19, 2006
Nov. 8 & 15 (wine tasting after show)
Nov. 9 & 16 (discussions with directors and cast after show)
Boston Playwrights' Theatre
949 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA