|
|
Telling Tales of Women
By Debbi K. Swanson
Aren’t women amazing? Every time I start to lose faith, even for a minute, I have a woman friend who is right there to touch my heart, my soul, and remind me why I’m here on this planet. The reasons may change yearly, monthly or even daily, but no matter. Women are my compass. Men, no matter how wonderful they are, don’t get it the same way. Not their fault, it just is. Now gay men are another story, we can share just about anything with them and they almost get it, but not quite the same way as a woman friend.
So when a group of nine women get together in a storytelling group, you can bet you’re going to get some powerful pieces. And that’s exactly what happens in Telling Tales Theatre at the Coffee Gallery in Altadena. Creator Norma Pratt, a UCLA historian and National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, founded the group five years ago after a long career as a teacher. The group meets for several weekends as they develop their work, prompted by a list of questions that Pratt has prepared. This gives the final performance themes and continuity.
In 24 stories, this time themed “self-image,” we share in many a moving moment. All dressed in black to create theatrical connection, they individually take the small stage to read their work. But don’t get turned off because they are reading, it rarely detracts from the material. They perform in two acts, filling about two and a half hours and giving you a rich experience for $10.
Jane Davidson’s ”Uniform” tells of the value of her father’s work, not as a war hero, but as a scientific researcher – saving the world from disease. Nancy Gilmour’s “My Mother’s Anger” lets us in to see what happens when women shut off their feelings, try to fit themselves into prescribed roles – and the effect on their children.
“Ann,” by Denise Emanuel, tells a funny tale of Ann and her three sisters, all born on the same day in different years, but like someone in many of our families, there was always something a bit off with Ann, including the missing front teeth.
There are stories of first boyfriends, secret dates, and just plain secrets. A tale of danger after an innocent party and how staying calm saved the day. Tales of loss, pain, healing, infatuations, and a surprising one by P. Lyn Middleton about her resemblance to Mick Jagger. Among these women’s lives are Harleys, lost innocence and adoption, their thrills and pain of growing from girls to women and the wisdom gained from the journey. The laughs, the tears, and reflections are everything you want in a good story and in good theater. The final piece features all nine women contemplating the things they would do differently in “If I had it do over…” As for me, I’d have started writing at 4 and never stopped. But that’s another story…
So grab your best girlfriend and go hear what a few other women have to say.
Telling Tales Theatre, 7:30 p.m. December 5 at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave. Altadena. Tickets are $10: 626-398-7917.
|
|
|
|
