Theatre in the Age of Corona

“…I am proud to make even the smallest contribution of this play towards our universal valiant determination to get on with the job.”

-- Noel Coward, on Opening Night for Blithe Spirit, July 2 , 1941   

Well.
Monday night, my cast and Production team and I had another very strong run of the show.  It's taut, and funny and insightful; all of the cast keeps growing, and while it's challenging, we were all enjoying ourselves

And on Tuesday we learned that the College of New Jersey will be closing, at least thru April the 5th; classes are going online in about a week’s time and public events are canceled.

I think it's safe to say that all of our hearts sank, and Tuesday night I was in a pretty dark mood. But yesterday was a new day, and we were already working to meet with the Dean and the management of the Don Evans Black Box theater to discuss what might be possible for rescheduling at least some performances if the college goes live again after April 5th.

And cast, and crew, and I got together last night for dinner.  We washed our hands a million times, but it was great to be together.

As I know so many of our theater colleagues with other companies are doing right now, we are trying to deal with the present moment and look ahead  -- because for actors and crews and audiences, theater does more than entertain. It uplifts, it refocuses, it encourages… and provides a very welcome distraction for a time.

During the Blitz in London during World War II, Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit premiered and people went to the theater seeking connection and laughter.

My friend Elaine Good was a child in London during that time and has told the story of how she was in the theater watching Sir Laurence Olivier and the alarms started to blare out about a potential bombing raid.  People chose to shelter in place, and ultimately the show went on.

When my mom was battling her last illness in the Spring and summer of 1995, I was in a production of Much Ado About Nothing. (I was playing Beatrice and was getting to know for the 1st time the fellow that I am married to today.) My time was spent in going to work for several hours, going to visit with her, and then going to rehearsal. Rehearsal was the most life affirming balm I could imagine in those moments.   

Today, be very careful out there, and take care of yourselves, and wash your hands.  We will all be doing the same. And we will also be working very hard to find out when and where we can bring our show to you-- for you, but also for ourselves....

Janet Q

3.12.20