In the past weeks, three momentous events have reaffirmed my faith in people’s ability to make choices that better society. The first was the vote by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in favor of the constitutionality of the individual mandate within the Affordable Care Act. By doing so, Justice Roberts brought on the ire of the conservative wing and rose above partisan politics. The second was the discovery of the Higgs-boson – the eagerly-awaited and elusive “god particle” that helps prove super-symmetry in the universe. Although the investments needed were derided, the payoffs to academic theory are worthwhile. The third was that Libya, a country controlled by Saddam Hussein two years ago, is now holding democratic elections. Though not yet complete, the passion of the people to transform the country is remarkable.
Recent shows on Broadway and the West End have echoed this theme that people will make the right decisions to help the broader good.
The winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Once, follows a similar story-line to the movie but infused with Celtic music. Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti are destined lovers from separate worlds who meet through their mutual attraction to music. Filled with a heart-warming score that glows and glistens in its deference to Czech and Irish traditions, the show captures the tainted longing of a relationship that can never be. The chemistry of song, cast and choreography is a passionate concoction of kindness.
The producers of the two-act, South Downs/Browning Version, have ingeniously combined a new script by David Hare with Terrence Rattigan’s one-act play to create a whole fabric with patchwork from different decades. Taking place in a British public school in the 1960’s, both works describe a context of dreariness and pain broken by a searing gift of generosity which sets the protagonists adrift and subsequently on a better direction. The main character in both books begins on a path of obstinacy only to be changed unexpectedly not by a climatic event, but an anti-climatic one. The play is showing for a limited period so catch them soon.
The theater production of Leap of Faith, started with buzz and enthusiasm which burned out due to funding. The New York Times article describing the rush to bring the show to the Great White Way is revealing of production hubris. Expecting cheese and proselytizing, I left the show buzzed by an enthusiasm that glossed over its flaws in an earnest attempt to please. It is disappointing that the cast recording wasn’t produced since Alan Menken’s music though guarded at first becomes spiritual and uplifting by the end.
Trust in our leaders consistently needs reaffirmation; we want to believe in good leadership as they ask for our faith when making decisions. The momentous occurrences of the past weeks reverberate these themes. All the events have been unexpected, generous and passionate. We could not have hoped or prayed for them even a year ago making them feel like a gift. The actions bring us together as a society and demonstrate zeal in their inception. We need to appreciate these momentous events when they happen, as they force us to raise our eyes towards the remarkable and gives us hope to overcome the obstacles we face daily.
July 8, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
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