BOOING THE PLAY, WALKING OUT ON THE SHOW

If life is a stage and we're all players, what's happened to the players and props back in the first act....?

For the elderly, the first act was the post-WWII boom years. America was thriving in a "Leave it to Beaver" age of innocence and bravado. For the young among us, the first act took place during the post-Nixon years when the music was still playing, but we danced with much less innocence and confidence.

Now here in act two -- with military wars and economic rivals abroad, and economic dislocations and disappointments at home -- it looks as if the orchestra has left the pit. The music has stopped playing. The script is now being re-written by historical forces beyond the playwright's pen, What's more, there are no leading men who by themselves can carry this play to any standing ovations. The lines, the pacing, the mood are all wrong.

The audience is already booing. 85% say they are angry about the economy. 91% about the wars. Could it be they're not only in a fury about the play, but somehow in mourning for their life..? Subconsciously afraid what they're watching on stage reflects what's unfolding in their lives..? The shining city on the hill is losing its luster..?

Does the audience mourn, as do I, the gentle teachers and devoted clergy who once helped nourish us in act one? Does the audience miss, as do I, the play-hood friends and pranks that helped shape our development in those early scenes? Does the audience sense that so much of what was, may never be again? That no matter who is starring in this drama, the final curtain is going to get poor reviews? That the play will go on again tomorrow night, but the boos and poor reviews will do little to improve the ultimate denouement?

Theatre audience come to the theatre to be entertained. To be enlightened. But not to climb on stage and ad lib some of the roles. That pervasive pessimistic passivity may be the very reason this show may have a shortened run...!