This afternoon, Hubbie and I attended a stage production about one of history's most beloved characters...Benjamin Franklin. The play, presented by a traveling troupe, is aimed at youngsters, and today around 500 fifth and sixth graders from area schools were bussed in to see it at a local college's theater.
Our community theater is one of the sponsors for productions like this, and since I'm on the board, I usually attend them. I find them both entertaining and educational. The dialogue is snappy, playful, and witty, but carries a message (or several messages, as was the case in this play). Several song and dance numbers helped keep this play lively and interesting, too.
The productions use minimal sets, and a limited number of actors. Today, three people - two men and one woman - portrayed multiple characters, necessitating quick costume changes behind one of the flats of the set.
The play was under an hour in length, but I hope the young audience members absorbed at least a few of the salient points that were made, like:
*persistence pays (Ben Franklin had difficulty with math as a youngster, but became a brilliant scientist in adulthood);
*freedom comes with a price (the War of Independence, and other wars since then);
*that we have the right to pursue happiness, but happiness is not guaranteed...we must work hard for what we get;
*that it takes all of us pulling together to achieve community good (building libraries, instituting fire departments, etc.);
*and never give up on your dreams. Ben Franklin was middle-aged before he flew that kite that proved that electricity exists and could potentially be harnassed.
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2 comments:
That last statement gives me hope that I'm not too much over-the-hill to do something special in my life.
That's right. It's never too late to realize your dreams...just don't give up. Opportunities pop up in unexpected places, sometimes.
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