Small cast, big message: 'Bad Books'

The title for last week’s commentary was “Living large by living tiny.” This week, I continue a big and little comparison, but in a different way.

Last Sunday afternoon, I was a member of the full audience attending the staged reading of “Bad Books” at the Story and Song Center for Arts and Culture presented by Live Ink Theater. The play was written by Sharyn Rothstein and performed by just two actresses, Sinda Nichols and Cynthia Riegler, each playing different roles. It was directed by Martha McDowell, who also provided some narration.

I happen to be one of those theatergoers who loves a minimally staged production where the characters and the dialogue drive the action. And they did. The well-written script provided all the inspiration needed to capture the audience’s attention and imagination with humor and pathos.

The main setting is a town library with the librarian portrayed by Sinda Nichols. A concerned local parent, portrayed by Cynthia Riegler, arrives at the library to challenge the librarian’s choice of a book for her 15-year-old son, with whom she has lost communication. Try not to say to yourself, “Oh. The play is about THAT.” It is far more complex and nuanced. As the backgrounds and life situations of these two characters emerge, we learn a lot more about what happens when we make assumptions about people who hold views that differ from our own. It also depicts what happens when an action we think of as noble and in support of a cause spirals out of control and creates dire and unanticipated consequences. The script does not offer a  “happily ever after” ending. It does offer hopeful clues for how such situations of conflict could work differently.

After the play concluded, there was an opportunity for comments and questions which was lively and could have gone on much longer. It demonstrated how invested the audience was in the timely issues that were raised.

I couldn’t help but think about how different issues have played out and continue to play out in our community. What could we learn about the consequences of our words and actions? How can things be reigned in once they start to spiral out of control? How is trust re-established after it has been broken? Can we find a way to let love and mutual concern conquer our fears?

As I said, this was a small cast with a BIG message.

If you were not able to be part of the audience last Sunday, I am pleased to let you know there will be another performance of the play on Sunday, Oct. 11th, from 3-5 p.m., once again at Story and Song Center for Arts and Culture. This performance is part of the “Let’s Talk” series held monthly at the Center. I imagine ticketing information will be available soon on their website.

When so much negativity swirls around us on a daily basis, I think it is very important to take the time to notice and to participate in our local cultural treasures. We have several beloved venues where local talented people work hard to bring not only entertainment, but important themes to our attention. They demonstrate what happens when people work together. They demonstrate what a community looks like in action.

Small cast; big message. I hope you plan now to attend the next performance of “Bad Books.”