THE LOVE PLAY

Director’s Note

 

A long decade ago I was teaching an acting workshop in CA and while looking for a series of simple unknown related vignettes for the students to practice with. I stumbled upon a collection of skits called Tales from The Coffee House. I loved the idea that these short scenes all took place in the same social setting. Being in the audience came across as eavesdropping, while you listened to these intimate slices of life in a public space. It reminded me of my mom, as we so often tuned into the many conversations around us when out and about, subscribing various traits, moods and outcomes to these anonymous conversations. All you had to do was be quiet to hear the most astonishing expressions. Somehow people feel safe and even private in the hustle and bustle of a busy space. This comforting ‘oasis’ was missed during our recent enforced seclusion. A lack of random connection somehow caused me to lose part of my self. The further that time passed since I was in the comforting and clarifying space of strangers, the more unsure I became. My mind was foggier. Memory faded. From what I heard, this was a common case. We craved the simple gathering of humans.

 

When I was pondering a second show to follow up The Tivoli Players recent outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I remembered the Coffee House play. It was during these early stages of inspiration, when George Smith interviewed me. A very exciting occasion in itself, being one of the first indoor visits with someone I hardly knew, in well over a year. We sat down to talk about future endeavors. I mentioned this latest idea, how such a normally straight-up concept (being around a group of unknown people) had now become a novelty. This morphed quickly, with a suggestion from Dick Gotti; into the notion of having local playwrights pen the pieces. The matters-of-the-heart aspect fit in with the original timing of doing the show on Valentine’s Day (right). The focus on love was also key as an essential balance to the constriction that threatened to reign. The mystical beasts, well that’s just a common Willo slant. I adore unusual creatures and monsters. Coffee? Had to stay.

 

As The Love Play came together, and I was once again thoroughly blown away by the writing and acting talent in The Hudson Valley, I realized it was important for all the vignettes to become an interconnected concept, as opposed to separate pieces. Which reiterates my realization of craving togetherness. So I added in customers, open mic participants and background music, to help stich the ten vignettes together into a whole. I also wanted the experience to seem as though the audience was sitting directly in the space where the action was taking place so we found café tables and put up back walls to create The Unicorn Café in The Monumental Lodge. On that note, such gratitude I have for not only the Masons who have opened the door for us to rehearse and create, but also that this falls into my dream category of working near home, in this case just a few blocks away.

 

So have a seat and enjoy observing these slices of life and love and strange creatures unfold, as you relish in the midst.