Many young people never attend live theater. It’s not surprising, when you think of all the movies and shows available on television and Netflix, 24/7. Why waste your time getting dressed up, drive somewhere and find a parking place? Once inside the theater, you’re stuck . You can’t get up and go to the bathroom or grab a beer whenever you feel the urge. But wait. When you’ve settled down, and the curtain rises, there’s a rush of anticipation unlike anything you feel when watching a movie. It’s the magic of live theater.
Actors appear as real people, not some two dimensional image you see on a movie screen. If you’re up close enough, you might see one actor slightly trembling with a bit of stage fright. You’re rooting for him, and soon he’s doing just fine. Audience and actors are interacting. If it’s a comedy, we hear real laughter, not the canned stuff you hear on television. Yes, that was really funny, not just meant to be funny.
People in smaller communities don’t often see professional actors on stage. But most cities have community theater and that’s where the spirit of live theater thrives. These are unpaid volunteers involved with acting and stagecraft just because they love it. Sometimes, they appear a little miscast. The romantic leads may be a bit overweight, or too something or other. But once the story unfolds, we’re into the plot, not caring whether they look like movie stars, although some of them do.
There’s an immediacy to live theater. You’re watching the show with a crowd of like minded people, some of them neighbors and friends. You feel part of the action, and identify with the actors, forgiving them a few gaffes .
When the show is over, and they form a receiving line in the lobby, I get a little tongue tied. But my husband can’t wait to speak with each actor, complimenting them on their performance, and thanking them for entertaining us. As we drive away from the theater, we discuss the play and decide which actor stole the show. And when we arrive home, we may sit down with a glass of wine to celebrate what a good time we’ve had.
Viva live theater!