Late last
month I was fortunate enough to be in New York City for the final performance
of the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES. This was a production
that started out at the Kennedy center in Washington D.C. and featured
some of the most beloved performers on Broadway including Bernadette Peters
(SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS), Elaine Page (EVITA,
CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD), Jan Maxwell (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, THE ROYAL
FAMILY, LEND ME A TENOR), Terri White (AINT MISBEHAVIN, BARNUM, CHICAGO),
Danny Burstein (SOUTH PACIFIC,THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) and Ron Raines (SHOW
BOAT, CHICAGO) among many others in the forty one member cast. It was
one of those special events in the theatre. The final performance of a
musical, about the impending demolition of a decaying theatre, delivered
by a cast of theatre practitioners who have been making indelible memories
in theatres for many many years. In the story of FOLLIES the images of
the performers in their younger days are juxtaposed against the reality
of their life thirty or more years later. As audience members we were
able to witness this powerful memory story that was only deepened by the
presence of these iconic performers in their final performance of FOLLIES.
As they bid farewell to this unique production it became keenly evident
to me that we, the audience, were also bidding farewell to this collection
of actors who would all never set foot on that stage together again. Art
and life came together in a way that could have only happened right then.
And that is why, despite computers, the internet or iphones, nothing will
ever replace the shared feeling of community and humanity that occur in
these special moments in the theatre.
So what’s happening on local stages this month? For a complete
rundown go to www.theatreallianceofbuffalo.com but my shortlist would
include: AVENUE Q at MusicalFare, running all month and entertaining audiences
with its hilarious combination of irreverence and insight, ST. NICHOLAS
at Road Less Traveled, running through February 19th and starring ICTC
co-founder and Artistic Director Vincent O’Neill, the Jewish Repertory
Theatre’s THE JEWISH WIFE and DUCK VARIATIONS opening February 9th,
and the Obie Award winning classic FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED
SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW WAS ENUF at Ujima Theatre opening February 17th.
If it’s a family outing you’re planning, try Theatre of Youth’s
BEN FRANKLIN’S APPRENTICE, featuring a strong cast of local adult
actors, from February 3rd through February 12th.
I love the theatre. I’m sure that’s pretty clear to anyone
who reads this column. That said, it’s a far from perfect, frequently
messy, often difficult experience. Sort of like life. But there are those
moments when everything aligns and wonderful things happen. For that I
will always be grateful. For that I will keep coming back.
See you there.
Randall Kramer is the Artistic and Executive Director of MusicalFare
Theatre, a leading musical theatre company in the Northeast. He is a past
President of the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo (www.theatreallianceofbuffalo.com),
a Spokesperson for the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance (www.greaterbuffaloculturalalliance.com),
and chair of the board of the new Arts Services Initiative (ASI. |