The Spirit Overcomes!

I chose to direct Red Noses this year because I liked the premise - a monk, with inspiration from God, cheers the hearts of a plague ridden downcast society with clowning, dancing and music, gathering a close-knit group of followers to put on red noses and join him. There is truly something beautiful about curing societies ills with laughter.
In putting this play together, however, I am realizing that there is quite a bit of darkness in the plot, and in the world that they inhabit. It is not all frivolity and joy. The play is set during the Black Death - plague of 1348 - when almost 50% of Europe's population was obliterated by this intensely horrible pandemic. Not only was the plague the cause of many deaths, but the anarchy and demolition of society that ensued during the pandemic caused chaos and death as well. And as it follows, not all 36 characters that appear on stage survive to the final curtain. As a director I am constantly balancing the light and frivolous with the dark and somber.

And these two forces - light and dark - pull at the characters as well. The divinely inspired monk, Marcel Flote, raises spirits and impassions his followers to spread that beautiful lightness of joy and love, although everyone has been touched by the darkness of the black death, poverty, opression, and corruption. Even Flote, who lost his family to the plague, occasionally feels himself sinking down into darkness, burdened with the heaviness of greif or helplessness - but he remembers his passion, his mission - then he picks himself up even from the darkest depths with a light-footed dance across the stage.

The integrity of these characters is awe inspiring as they stand by their passions and beliefs even at the last. More than a play about how laughter helps us overcome things, Red Noses shows us the power of personal integrity and passion and the beauty and courage that it takes to remain loyal to your dreams.

"We lived the vision, rolled back the stony heart a little and the glory is measureless. Nothing to lament, lets pierce the circumference of Hell and dance!" - Red Noses, Peter Barnes

Gearing Up

I think I have written at least 10 e-mails today just about Red Noses (the play, not the foamy clown accessories). I am spending all my free time reading reading reading about Anne Bogart's Viewpoints as a refresher, and "The Great Mortality" - a book about the Black Death in Europe (an incredibly easy read and full to bursting with all the gory details). Our first read through is on Wednesday night, and I can't wait!
I feel absolutely blessed that the magnificent Kristen Loughry is a part of the NEYT team this summer. She is a student at Ithica College, originally from MA, and she is taking on the thankless task of Stage Manager for our production. (I just wanted to make sure she was acknowledged at least once during this process.) I am excited that she is approaching this task so professionally using equity rules as a guide, and really being on top of all the minutia that a Stage Manager has to deal with.
As I sit at my desk I am surrounded with piiles of research, images, and copies of this script. Can I dig my way out by opening? Yes! I am optimistic and excited and not drowning yet. This play is full of complex issues and challenges for a relatively green director (6 years of off and on experience), but I feel over prepared and I wouldn't have it any other way.