I took my own advice and caught a new show the other night. It came at the end of an exhausting work day, so I suppose in a way, not having to entertain or be charming for someone else made things easier. But in other respects, the public act of attending the theatre alone can cause introspection when juxtaposed against the sea of couples and groups around you. The irony of sitting by myself watching a play about a woman who aches for someone to share her life with was not lost on me.
Interestingly, this particular night, there was an unusually large contingent of same sex couples in the audience, or groups of just men or just women, although this play had nothing at all to do with gay issues. I guess we all just have the gene. There was even the most charming pair of well-dressed, elderly grey-haired Black gentlemen seated diagonally across from me. A date? Who knows but they looked nice together. Perhaps there’s hope.
As with all my recent trips to the theatre, I was struck by the low number of Black patrons, regardless of sex or orientation. In the past year and half, I’ve seen a good dozen shows or more and sometimes you can count the numbers on the fingers of both hands. This is sad, because not only are people not getting exposed to great entertainment, but in many instances shows with Black themes or performers are not being supported by our own. Mind you, I’m not talking about the minstrel shows at the Beacon Theatre where our numbers can be most plentiful, but the Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway houses where productions challenge viewers to constructively think about the world around us.
Cost shouldn’t be used as an argument either, because truth be told theatre tickets are on par or less than most concerts (with some Off Off shows about the price of a movie), and discounts can be found all over if you know where to look. I rarely pay full price.
I’m clearly biased in my thinking, but there is something special about watching a drama unfold where the actors and the audience are sharing the same air space, their collective energy feeding off one another. That experience can’t be duplicated at the movies or in front of the television.
Hopefully more of us will venture out and try something different. If you do, there may be a seat open just off the aisle.
2 comments ↓
It’s nice to see different atmospheres around us. It’s a great feeling.
Hey Bernie:
I know that the Beacon Theatre is full of what we call those “chitlin circuit” kinds of shows, but they also are getting people out there too!
Speaking of which, have you seen the E. Lynne Harris show there at the Beacon yet. I hear that it is scheduled to leave April 4th.
Love your site! It kind of reminds me of what Carrie did in her column in “Sex and the City.” I have added it to my favorites and I look at it, keith’s and chris’ everyday (or so).