I’ve decided to start a new blog series, about the various encounters in the wide world of attempting to date. Fair warning: I say “date,” but I’m going to include pretty much any romantical encounter here – the better for storytelling, and the protecting of the innocent. Including myself. With that in mind, I was reminded the other day of that time I had a lovely time at a bar…and fell head over heels for myself. Lemme ‘splain. Hello, Gorgeous!... Read more
(My latest from HowlRound!) Every time I sit down to write a play, I create a job. With a stroke of my pen, I can employ people of every gender, size, shape, orientation, ethnicity, and ability. Produce the play once: I’ve created several jobs. Produce the play again: more people are employed. And if I write a play that lasts, with universal themes that resonate four hundred years after my death, I may employ thousands of artists—actors, directors, stage managers,... Read more
Ask people what they know about Frozen, and the answer will be universal: Let it go! Yet, when looking closer at the story, many will admit that this powerful anthem is the “I Want” song for the story’s villain, Elsa. After all, it’s Elsa’s fault that the nation is covered in ice: a problem that her sister, Anna – the official, feisty Disney princess of the film – has to solve. It’s Anna on the quest, after all. It’s Anna... Read more
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to be part of the Second Annual Sheen Center Theater Festival of Catholic Playwrights. I talked a little bit about that here, but the question that kept coming up – as it always comes up – is “What is ‘Catholic theatre?'” Or perhaps: “What is ‘Catholic art?'” Why even specify that the art or the theatre is Catholic at all? Here are some of my thoughts. A Theatre of Hope The festival presented... Read more
Followers of this blog may have wondered where the Pop Feminist has gone these past few weeks. While followers of popular culture may have wondered where in the world has all the Catholic art gone these past few centuries. The answer to both is the same: Artists go where artists are welcomed. Beggars at the Feast As we discussed a little in part one, artists are businesses of one. That means that each of us must be, in some... Read more
Happy Father’s Day! Allow me to take a moment to laud a few of my theatrical fathers, and meditate on examples of beautiful masculinity. (Read the full article here.) On Beautiful Masculinity The other day, while shooting the breeze with a friend, she mentioned: “There’s a correlation, you know, between these frequent mass murder shootings and the recent sex scandals.” “What’s that?” I asked. “Well, think about it: from my research, the shootings and even these sex scandals revolve around... Read more
In the past few days, two shows have come under scrutiny because of the behavior of their cast members: The revelation of verbal abuse from Jeffrey Tambor on the sets of Transparent – from which he was fired -and Arrested Development – where he was kept on; And the cancelling of Roseanne Barr’s reboot of her sitcom Roseanne after a series of racist tweets she put out the other day. And it got me thinking, after writing whether we can... Read more
The following contains spoilers for Solo: A Star Wars Story, as well as the entire Star Wars movie franchise. For a spoiler-free take, read here. A Long, Long Time Ago in a Casting Pool Far, Far Away… Han Solo is one of the most beloved and iconic characters in all of movie history. The lovable rogue, originally embodied by superstar Harrison Ford, swaggered through space, quipping during times of crisis, squabbling with the girl and running from the good guys,... Read more
It does not rain but drizzle: Overcast and breezy Like the days on which I read The best adventure books . . Today is an adventure day And only lacks the smell Of burning wood From an unseen neighbor’s forest Beckoning to be discovered . . I stroll the broken concrete Disturbed by maple trees: That house a thousand soggy birds; That overshadow gardens full of roses; That make a second canopy For the barely-wet umbrella I carry like a... Read more
You voted and commented – and I listened! Keep your eyes peeled on this space for my hot take on the latest Star Wars movie coming at you this weekend. (With much thanks to friend and Deacon Steven Greydanus of Decent Films for getting me in to an early screening. There are benefits to living in Manhattan.) But until then, enjoy this SPOILER FREE post below, with answers to some of your burning questions: Is it any good? It’s fairly solid. ... Read more
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