Yes, yes, yes -- it's been days since I wrote you, and it's 12:02 a.m. so even now, I really should go to bed, but I am just too jazzed from tonight's theatrical experience. Tonight, a bunch of TSIers went to see one of our teachers, the absolutely phenomenal Michael Tolaydo (this is he, tho' not in this play), perform in a play by David Ives, titled "New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656." Yeah, the title is a mouthful, but it's like a mouthful of rich, thought-provoking, weep-inducing...um, chocolate cake. OK, block that metaphor, as they (used to) say in the New Yorker. But the point is, it was an absolutely stunning theatre experience in every way -- incredibly well written, with an ensemble that met each other at the highest possible level of performance. And though the subject that sounded abstract at first -- the interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza for his (supposed) atheist beliefs by his own Jewish leaders as well as a burgher of Amsterdam (the purported "New Jerusalem of the title for it's purported tolerance of Jews), we were led through beautifully wrought explorations of love, friendship, the bonds of fathers and sons, and really, what makes the world go around AND worth waking up in each day. It was just amazing.
I felt even more privileged than I already had to be being led in my explorations here by people like Michael, Caleen Jennings, Sue Biondo-Hench, and Mike LoMonico. They are all so creative and talented in so many spheres -- O, for a muse of fire, that I could find a way to say more! But I'm finally sleepy, so will leave it at that, and promise that I will take the opportunity of having a research paper AND a curriculum project to complete this weekend to do some really choice procrastinatory composition.
Cheers,
Gingy
P.S. Anyone who's in DC before July 25 NEEDS to see this play; here's the link:
http://washingtondcjcc.org/center-for-arts/theater-j/on-stage/09-10-season/new-jerusalem/TJ-New-Jerusalem-Main.html
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