Great show

Part of the fun of having a low-key schedule for the past couple weeks is that we have had time to do something spontaneous and life-affirming and marriage-building every so often. One night it was attending a little fundraiser at the VFW with friends for an organization that helps female veterans transitioning from the military to civilian life with resumes and business clothes. This weekend it was going to a play at the local community theater. They are having buy one get one free performances on Fridays, - although my husband only heard the "free" part when he said at 7:15 on Friday, "Well let's go then" to the 8 pm show. Still, the show was so good, I was almost sorry to not pay for one of our tickets. So I told the older kids I would pay for their tickets if they can find time to go before the show ends.

A rave review from the local paper: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/theater/sd-me-review-lambs-20180609-story.html

The play was Once, based on the movie set in Dublin about an Irish musician down on his luck and brokenhearted who is given a new hope by the friendship of a Czech single mother also looking for friendship who recognizes his talent and the power of music - and the power of a community of music lovers -  to knit hearts back together. I didn't know the music, but my second oldest told me when I looked up the soundtrack on youtube that he had been to a Glen Hansard concert a couple years ago. Funny thing, this small world.

I wonder why we don't go to the theater more, but perhaps the rarity of the occasion preserves its magic.  This show had all of the transporting elements of live performances.  The players at our little community theater brought a Dublin pub to life (complete with a working bar where the audience could buy a Guiness on stage and mingle with the players before the show and during intermission) and they took my breath away with their ability to play multiple instruments and to sing (with fake accents, no less) the parts of struggling, talented artists.  I loved the way a song would begin with the Guy and the Girl alone on stage, him playing the guitar, her playing the piano. Then one of the supporting players would come in with the banjo, another with a ukulele, another on the cello, then the bass, then the drums or beat boxes. The amplification of the song with the added layers of instrumentation raised the emotional effect as the symphonic power increased. 

The effect of playing together lifted up the talents of all -- and they were having so much fun! The joy of the cast and the enthusiasm of the audience were palpable.  They brought back memories of our trip to Dublin with our son, but also captured the ability of a kind word and a good tune to make a difference in someone's life.

Glad we went. Two thumbs up. I think I liked this live performance better than I would like the movie.