Thursday, December 21, 2017

Eugene O'Neill Theatre Complex Campus, Waterford, CT, December 2017

Young playwright holds prop -- a likeness of the actress'Cher,' made of papier mache -- as he poses for this foto for the Poppy Blog. My young friend (did not get his name) and other performance artists were finishing up a week- long workshop at the O'Neill when I happened upon them during a recent visit. 

To think that the classic drama "Death of a Salesman" helped made the O'Neill Center possible. My English teacher senior year assigned "Death" to our class.  I've now seen the the play itself on Broadway twice.  The character of Willy Lohman is synonymous with an employee no longer relevant to his job and company, where change has come quickly, and he has not been able to adapt.  Never mind that " ... they know me in the territory ..."  Willy beseeches.  We learned senior year that "Death" was a sterling example of the Tragedy genre.  We know now from personal experience how tragic the end of a career can be. 

The O'Neill boasts classy temporary quarters for actors, playwrights, and other theatrical professionals in-residence for performances and workshops. Each house is named in honor of the luminary who contributed the cost of construction.  Names I recognized included "Michael Douglas" and "August Wilson." Other houses are to be built as soon as funds have been secured.

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