In this post-pandemic world, we find ourselves slowling crawling back into some semblance of normalcy, although a now very different place we once knew from whence we left some two years ago. In like fashion, live theatre is slowly beginning to once again find its footing, figuring out along the way how to create art in this 'brave new world' to connect, heal, and bring some meaning to the madness of which we all lived.
This weekend, Ashland Contemporary Theatre opens their first show after a long hiatus due to Covid19, with "Moonlighting 2022: Passages". The show features the writings of John Yunker with his "SkipIntro", Teresa Peterson with her "Simple Treasures", Dori Appel with her "Shelf Life", Diane Nichols with her "Click", and Bob Valine with his "Gabe". Bringing the writers' works to life are some of the most talented actors of the Rogue Valley; Trevor Pekas, Janna Mitchell, Lia Dugal, CJ Reid, Kristen Caron, Jeannine Grizzard, Alayha McNamara, and Noah Fitterer. The pieces are directed by Jeannine Grizzard, Teresa Peterson, Dori Appel, and Kate Sullivan.
The theme of the show, with all its various short plays, is vital as we move forward in this post-Covid19 world besought with new fears, uncertainties, and divisiveness. No longer can theatre alone be about entertainment or distraction (if it ever was), but as a means to find pure meaning and hope despite seemingly massive amount of troubling circumstances.
From the start of the play with Yunker's "Skip Intro", the characters Max (Trevor Pekas) and Shel (Janna Mitchell) discover that running away from the difficult does not bring true happiness, then Peterson's "Simple Treasures" describes how trials and hardships in life can be overcome and true victory can be found as told by Diana (Lia Dugal), Appel's "Shelf Life" finds mother and daughter, Liz (CJ Reid) and Susan (Kristen Caron) seeking to find healing in the wake of the loss of a loved one, Nichols' "Click" deepens the struggle with the reminder of the local tragedy of the Almeda Fires of 2020, and finally, through the writings of Valine's "Gabe" resolves the show by showing that all of life's circumstances, both the highs and the lows, are made satisfying because of the growth of soul and purpose found in overcomng and thriving.
ACT's Moonlight 2022: Passages opens Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Grizzly Peak Winery and runs through April 3,2022. The shows all commence at 4 pm, with a 15 minute intermission. For more information, https://www.facebook.com/events/512645443750229/512645453750228?ref=newsfeed
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