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
-
-
‘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.
-
‘War Horse’ gallops away with enamored audience
There may be some confusion among the top critics none of us pay any mind to on what films deserve the highest accolades as award season progresses, but as far as I’m concerned, a certain equestrian title is making a pretty strong case itself.
-
‘Tintin’ may be unsinkable come award time
There’s something to the idea that animation movie makers may have better figured out the art of story telling and could certainly teach a majority of their peers in the live action arena how to weave a plot.
-
‘The Muppets’ welcome in sentimental return
While bias is a position I try to leave to the talking heads of television, every now and again I come across a film I anticipate so much it’s hard for it to disappoint.
-
‘Chipwrecked’ floats better than first sequel
When it comes to the three most recognized singing rodents this side of the milky way galaxy, one wouldn’t think the term gimmick would be anything more than description as usual.
-
‘Holmes: Game of Shadows’ wows in witty sequel
Though I could be struck down by the critic gods at any moment, one thing Hollywood seems to get right more than when I was growing up is the art of the sequel.
-
‘Gen. Rex: Agent of Providence’ not even a noob’s paradise
As someone who has witnessed the best and worst video games have had to offer since ET almost killed consoles in the early years, I consider my range of terrible rankings to be rather flexible.
-
Stark caps off the year with Fine Dining
Pride in the local scene has always been a part of what drives Pauls Valley residents to make what is otherwise a small town compete with far larger peers.
-
‘Arthur Christmas’ best holiday flick in years
Welcome to holiday movies anonymous, the only support group where you can admit you are just like everyone else and watch the same holiday specials well past a sane number of times.
- More Arts & History Headlines
-







