The Importance of…Being
This is an original
short Zoom play, written and directed by Valerie Asbell, (founder and artistic
director/producer of this company). For
more information on this show and others, go to their website at www.cleverenough.org
Every generation has
there major and minor crises imbedded within it. Sometimes it’s a War; other times, natural
disasters; riots, human rights issues, political turmoil, et. al. This generation, the Covid Pandemic seems to rule
that coveted spot. And, with all events
of this nature, changes must be made…some good, some not.
There is no doubt
that Covid has altered irrevocably our behaviors in some ways, probably
forever. The bad that came out of it,
among many things, were that people died, of course. But isolation has altered many people’s
sensitivities and has put a strain on relationships and our very livelihoods. And then the stimulus checks lit a candleflame
in the darkness for us.
This play is based
on a true incident and is a refreshing and different take on what is important
to a person to hold on to their sanity.
A group of friends…Emma (Gerie Voss), Mary Anne (Christie Quinn), Clara
(Allison Anderson) and William (Tanner Huff) have been having zoom
conversations in order to maintain some order of human contact. But one person, Emma, has a dilemma as to how
to use her stimulus check.
She has long been
interested in playing the piano and now that time has been forced upon her, in
which little is moving in the civilized world, she has contacted Hal (Tony
Domingue—also plays a mean harmonica), who has a piano for sale, and she wants
to use a part of that monies to buy it, since she now has time on her
hands. But she feels guilty, as she
senses it may be considered a mis-use of the reason for the check in the first
place…what to do, what to do…?! You’ll
have to see the play to discover her solution…considering, what price sanity….
It is clear, within
these times, old rules may not apply to this “new world” philosophy. But one thing is clear to me, holding
ontoone’s sanity is an important health question, too, and whatever it takes to
do that should be considered a valid use of such a “windfall!”
I recommend this
play. It is a “clever-ly enough” written
piece and brings up an important issue.
(And, a side note,
Asbell is a director of note, as she has not shied away from past efforts in
directing productions of Rhinoceros and Hamlet, very difficult shows, in which
even the most seasoned directors would shy away from. And she is a fine actor, too, having played
the difficult role of Annie Sullivan in a production of The Miracle
Worker. She is an artist to take note of
and should be encouraged to shine in her profession)!
--DJS