Quote of the Day: The Jungle Theater is the best dressed theater! Cher, the Texas Playwright Chick upon entering the Jungle Theater for their performance of The Heiress. The entire theater, from foyer to fancy curtain, is visually appealing. Cher and I are blogging buddies, playwrights, and kindred spirits. She happened to be visiting the twin cities, and I was able to meet her with the opportunity to attend a performance at the Jungle, the first time for both of us at this theater and meeting in person. What an excellent show for a couple playwright chicks to watch together. We talked about it at intermission, after the show, before we went to bed, as soon as we woke up in the morning, and I’m still thinking about the complexities of the story and its characters. It was that kind of show!
Kate Guentzel as Catherine Sloper. PHOTO CREDIT: Michal Daniel
You wonder, for instance, if the “good” doctor’s daughter Catherine is naturally socially awkward or if she is that way because of how she’s been treated. You wonder if Catherine might actually be better off running away with a man who only wants her for her money than staying close to her father who can’t find a kind word to say to her. You wonder why no one ever built up her esteem, and you wonder how people can be so cruel to each other. You might even wonder how they got the set to look so gorgeous and why you feel like you’re sitting in that parlor, observing these complex characters, like a cat on a silk pillow. You might purr at the idea of Mr. Townsend stealing a kiss with Catherine and secretly hope that he really means it when he professes his love. You might groan in disgust as the “good” doctor cuts down his own daughter, and imagine you are that cat barely suppressing your desire to scratch his eyes out. And, you will marvel at that old-fashioned looking curtain with the scalloped edges. You will want to reach out and touch the gorgeous fabric on those 1850’s gowns (all the while wondering how the ladies moved around in those things and didn’t sweat to death). And, I know you will wonder, and ponder, into the night, on your drive home, and as you try to explain the story to your friends, just why Catherine did what she did in the end, and what she might do now that the the lights are out and the curtain closes.
John Catron as Morris Townsend and Kate Guentzel as Catherine Sloper.
PHOTO CREDIT: Michal Daniel
I hope you go to The Heiress at The Jungle Theater in Minneapolis, MN before it closes on August 10, 2014, because these are great things to wonder about, marvelous things to see and experience, and The Jungle Theater is an experience in itself.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: If you had the chance to meet a distant pen pal, or blogging buddy, how would you spend the day or time together?
Cher, The Texas Playwright Chick, on the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. We had a beautiful day together!
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