Braly redux

Back to Braly: I will be working at 59E59 next month as well, on James Braly's LIFE IN A MARITAL INSTITUTION. We've met a few times before i left for DC and James left for Florida. Mostly, we've been discussing the script.

Since the title is Life in a Marital Institution, then I believe that each story and each transition must connect to that point. What is life like with Susan? And why does James stay in it? The strength of the play (if it is a play) to me is that James indicts himself...it's not some guy pulling on his tie saying "My wife is SOOOO crazy..." That's what will be doing the next two days. Simply put: we'll be hitting the books.

What else? I've learned that the folks at 59E59 don't want us to perform in cabaret-style. Not sure why not. So we'll likely be doing the show in a more theatrical, formal setup. As far as I am concerned, I prefer the cabaret setup because it, I think, we'll best help connect James to the audience. And that in turn, will make the audience more relaxed. I liked the idea of the show as a date night, with tables and drinks...

James is a gifted, no, expert storyteller - and the job at hand is making sure he crosses the great divide between performer's space and viewer's. One thing that I think will help him most is the lighting. We argued a bit in Edinburgh when he really wanted the audience lit so he could see them - but it was grim, almost fluorescent, lighting. Had we raised it any hotter, the audience would have felt violated. I am certain.

But here - there is less divide between James and the house, and I think it will be easier to control the lighting...