I enjoyed sharing over my previous two columns a personal listing of what I believed were the top 10 most significant artistic accomplishments over the decade from 2000-2009. If it generated some discussion in your circle, then the focus was well timed.
We are on the right track and now must continue to seek out creative ways to maintain that momentum. That will not be an easy undertaking in the coming years.
As an avid reader of a publication that focuses on the state of our national theatre, it is, at times, quite alarming in presenting how the economy has impacted the ability of our leading theater organizations to deliver quality entertainment. The challenges facing the public schools and other services are becoming more and more apparent with each passing day.
Working together, we must find a way to look beyond the normal way of doing things and take a creative approach to building our new future. Let’s focus on the arts for providing some of that stimulus. For that is what creative expression calls on us to do, think outside of the box.
On a lighter note, and as we reflect on doing more with less, let’s turn to an old friend. No play ever written is better able to convey a story through its use of a bare stage, highlighted only with sparse theatrical elements than the Thornton Wilder classic, Our Town.
I have written about the impact this masterpiece has had on my career, having acted in and directed productions, and what continues to amaze me is that this three act gem seems to have a resurgence when we most need to be gently reminded on the importance of family, relationships, traditions, and yes, simple storytelling.
Enjoying a revival in New York, (thus leading to being spotlighted on national news programs) what dawned on me the other day was that this minimalist approach to sharing the lives of those living in the fictitious town of Grover’s Corners continues to resonate, even at the highest level.
Staying true to Wilder’s original concept, even to a New York audience, may be the reason it has been produced more than “4,000 times in the last decade alone,” according to the CBS Morning Show reporting on January 31st. There is our decade reference again.
Was Mr. Wilder trying to tell us something (simple is better) even as far back as 1938 when the play was first produced? Over the intervening 72 years, story continues to win out every time and maybe that is where we should be thinking in the years ahead, simple and easy ways to tell today’s stories.
At times over the coming months, I will offer suggestions as to how we can sustain our artistic momentum and sharpen our creative swords. The best is yet to come, in fact, the best might not even be discovered yet.
I also encourage you to contact the Pauls Valley Arts Council if you have ideas that you feel might assist in this ongoing effort. Your expertise is needed now more than ever.
Our town is your town.
TAS
Arts & History
72 years and counting
- Arts & History
-
-
‘Anonymous’ decent fiction, though pretentious
The art of the lie is one thing humanity has never let fall into disuse and it has many uses from trying to hide something to creating a good old fashioned conspiracy theory when we don’t want to accept the facts.
-
Maysville history comes to life one act at a time
Ever since the dawn of classroom based learning, teachers and administrators have struggled to find ways to engage their pupils in each semester’s curriculum.
-
‘The Iron Lady’ an emotional ride through adversity
As someone who has easily dedicated a lifetime’s worth of television hours nerding out to stuff like the History Channel, it is no wonder why I always eventually cave to biographical movies on some of the most famous/infamous people to make something of their humanity.
-
‘J. Edgar’ a win for DiCaprio, flat elsewhere
History can often favor the victorious and ignore a lot of wrongs, but sometimes the most vile cannot completely wash away the grime.
-
Team recycles for fashion
Art in some ways can always involve taking an otherwise cast aside object and giving it new use, but for three Pauls Valley business owners, it’s also a chance encourage environmental responsibility in others.
-
‘Hugo’ a beautiful exposition of art in film
Though I tend to feel slightly squeamish when it comes to movies which go overboard in the artsy department, there is a way to incorporate a refined feeling without boring the heck out of everyone.
-
‘The Conspirator’ perfect commentary on blind justice
In this episode of Oklahoma Ezra and the Temple of Film we dig up yet another movie lost to the box office ages, one with a fascinating premise, but lousy attendance.
-
Missoula prepares for audition rush Feb. 20
Every community has traditions which carry with them a guaranteed level of excitement and one synonymous with Pauls Valley for the past 15 years has been Missoula Children’s Theater.
-
‘Moneyball’ cash in the bank for best actor
Maybe it’s because math was always a special kind of hell for me throughout the education process, but any sort of award attached to a movie where it is the major dynamic seems like a cruel joke.
-
‘The Grey’ follows typical blah early year trend
As a relatively balanced movie fan, I tend to be open to the possibility of any time of the year having the chance to win over audiences, though there remains reasons why most of the awesome of the box office begins around summer.
- More Arts & History Headlines
-
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
