"TRUST" at Lookingglass Theatre, Directed by David Schwimmer & Heidi Stillman March 15, 2010 As you might know, I have been a huge fan and supporter of art and theatre in chicago, all my life. If ever asked me what my favorite play was, I would have told you it was hands down “race. How blacks and whites feel about the American obsession.” Now, it may have tied with a new play I saw last night, called “trust.” To be forthcoming, both were adapted/written for stage and directed by my best friend david schwimmer, but know that is not why I liked them. In fact, after 15yrs of friendship, I can tell you that we have thoroughly established that our artistic tastes are very different, if not sometimes opposite, so trust me, these works stand absolutely on their own. What I like about them most is that they deal with very current issues, that have a meaningful, impactful and necessary message, that cause viewers to reflect, acknowledge and consider changing immediately for the better, in one way or another. As a child of a mixed race family growing up in america, the issue of racism in the first of the two plays, really made me feel relieved, as if someone was finally acknowledging my pain, to some other side that I felt existed. Yet, it opened my eyes, as it did with everyone else, that I too was guilty of so much that I was conditioned to think and act upon that was equally wrong, and from that experience, I walked away a better person, and hopefully helped others to be as well by sharing the message. In “trust,” they intertwine all the technology, social media, emails, iphones, im’s, facebook, myspace,… used by kids these days and expose the issue of internet predators and rape, and the reality, exposure, and relevancy that the issue applies to all of us right now, in one way or another. I have known schwimmer to be heavily supportive and involved with the national rape foundation for the last ten years of our friendship, and have watched him write out this story for the last three, and what I saw last night at the opening of the play, was real, and something I will never forget. I hate when people review plays and tell the whole story, so not going to do that. But will share a quick story. I walked out with david yesterday completely numb and effected not knowing how something could move me so much to the point that I actually cried and was visibly freaked out. as people were thanking him for sharing the message, I guess the dazzed look on my face caused someone even more visually effected turn to me and say, “and you don’t even have kids, imagine what that is like.” I began to ask this person what it was like having had kids, as I hope to have some one day, and I wanted to know what they were going to do now. they explained how everything must change for them in the house now, as that was all too scary, and all too real. I suggested that they maybe bring the kids to the play, they asked if thought it was age appropriate. I asked if they thought it was any less appropriate than what they are already getting on the internet in his own home, and it immediately became absurdly a big no. in fact, he acknowledged that the stuff out there on the internet that he knew his kids were exposed to fast and free was 1000 times worse, and that this story was about what could happen if don’t reflect, acknowledge and change immediately, in one way or another, so was more of a huge help to all if anything. I think this is a small example of not only theatre that really invoked reaction, being relevant, worthy and well done, but it spreads a message that helps fight real not talked about or even “hidden” harm where it doesn’t belong, in effort to make things better for all of us, which is something we can all use more of. Tickets I know will sell out very very fast because message aside, it’s a killer play w/killer acting & production, and killer suspense,… and I would be really bummed if you missed it… so please don’t wait and go to www.lookingglasstheatre.org .. and please let me know what you think about it… As you might know, I have been a huge fan and supporter of art and theatre in chicago, all my life. If ever asked me what my favorite play was, I would have told you it was hands down “race. How blacks and whites feel about the American obsession.” Now, it may have tied with a new play I saw last night, called “trust.” To be forthcoming, both were adapted/written for stage and directed by my best friend david schwimmer, but know that is not why I liked them. In fact, after 15yrs of friendship, I can tell you that we have thoroughly established that our artistic tastes are very different, if not sometimes opposite, so trust me, these works stand absolutely on their own. What I like about them most is that they deal with very current issues, that have a meaningful, impactful and necessary message, that cause viewers to reflect, acknowledge and consider changing immediately for the better, in one way or another. As a child of a mixed race family growing up in america, the issue of racism in the first of the two plays, really made me feel relieved, as if someone was finally acknowledging my pain, to some other side that I felt existed. Yet, it opened my eyes, as it did with everyone else, that I too was guilty of so much that I was conditioned to think and act upon that was equally wrong, and from that experience, I walked away a better person, and hopefully helped others to be as well by sharing the message. In “trust,” they intertwine all the technology, social media, emails, iphones, im’s, facebook, myspace… used by kids these days and expose the issue of internet predators and rape, and the reality, exposure, and relevancy that the issue applies to all of us right now, in one way or another. I have known schwimmer to be heavily supportive and involved with the national rape foundation for the last ten years of our friendship, and have watched him write out this story for the last three, and what I saw last night at the opening of the play, was real, and something I will never forget. I hate when people review plays and tell the whole story, so not going to do that. But will share a quick story. I walked out with david yesterday completely numb and effected not knowing how something could move me so much to the point that I actually cried and was visibly freaked out. as people were thanking him for sharing the message, I guess the dazzed look on my face caused someone even more visually effected turn to me and say, “and you don’t even have kids, imagine what that is like.” I began to ask this person what it was like having had kids, as I hope to have some one day, and I wanted to know what they were going to do now. they explained how everything must change for them in the house now, as that was all too scary, and all too real. I suggested that they maybe bring the kids to the play, they asked if thought it was age appropriate. I asked if they thought it was any less appropriate than what they are already getting on the internet in his own home, and it immediately became absurdly a big no. in fact, he acknowledged that the stuff out there on the internet that he knew his kids were exposed to fast and free was 1000 times worse, and that this story was about what could happen if don’t reflect, acknowledge and change immediately, in one way or another, so was more of a huge help to all if anything. I think this is a small example of not only theatre that really invoked reaction, being relevant, worthy and well done, but it spreads a message that helps fight real not talked about or even “hidden” harm where it doesn’t belong, in effort to make things better for all of us, which is something we can all use more of. Tickets I know will sell out very very fast because message aside, it’s a killer play w/killer acting & production, and killer suspense,… and I would be really bummed if you missed it… so please don’t wait and go to www.lookingglasstheatre.org .. and please let me know what you think about it… see the reviews for yourself… http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2010/03/trust-at-lookingglass-david-schwimmers-story-of-a-shattered-family-hits-close-to-home.html#more http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/stage/2102189,CST-FTR-Weiss15web.article One Response Kirsten March 17, 2010 alright, billy – you sold me. i definitely want to go check out “trust” now. the story sounds really compelling, and this is a scary world we live in in this day & age. while technology has greatly improved our lives, it’s done a lot of damage, too. you also got me curious about “race,” too. when we met, i know i told you that i did a lot of sketch comedy, but i didn’t mention that most of it is with multi-cultural groups – just kind of exploring stereotypes, and bringing them to light so people can see that they are unfounded and ridiculous. there’s a fine line between perpetuating stereotypes with your audience and opening their eyes. the group i’m with now, Urban Indigenous, really kind of shows themes that are common amongst all races – black, white, asian, hispanic, mixed, etc. so people feel that they can feel that relief you spoke about, and feel a sense of camaraderie with someone who might seem outwardly different from themselves. laughter really breaks down that wall, and i hope you get a chance to come check out our show, “Code of Ethnics” – i’d like to hear what you think about it. you can read more about us at http://www.urbanindigenous.com, and if you’d like to come check it out, just shoot me an e-mail, and i’ll make sure you’re on the list! you take such good care of your twitter & FB family, so now it’s my time to take care of you. 🙂 Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Kirsten March 17, 2010 alright, billy – you sold me. i definitely want to go check out “trust” now. the story sounds really compelling, and this is a scary world we live in in this day & age. while technology has greatly improved our lives, it’s done a lot of damage, too. you also got me curious about “race,” too. when we met, i know i told you that i did a lot of sketch comedy, but i didn’t mention that most of it is with multi-cultural groups – just kind of exploring stereotypes, and bringing them to light so people can see that they are unfounded and ridiculous. there’s a fine line between perpetuating stereotypes with your audience and opening their eyes. the group i’m with now, Urban Indigenous, really kind of shows themes that are common amongst all races – black, white, asian, hispanic, mixed, etc. so people feel that they can feel that relief you spoke about, and feel a sense of camaraderie with someone who might seem outwardly different from themselves. laughter really breaks down that wall, and i hope you get a chance to come check out our show, “Code of Ethnics” – i’d like to hear what you think about it. you can read more about us at http://www.urbanindigenous.com, and if you’d like to come check it out, just shoot me an e-mail, and i’ll make sure you’re on the list! you take such good care of your twitter & FB family, so now it’s my time to take care of you. 🙂 Reply
