What You Need—Clever Enough Productions—video theatre

 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