It was a long and tough road but the show managed to open last night. The house was full with magnetic energy between the cast and audience. It was electric.

Ellen Stewart, the director was directing from a hospital bed with a full-time nurse by her side. She has been battling Congestive Heart Failure for a number of years and her telling of the story of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, is timely. In an art imitates life kind of way, what proved more dramatic for me than the staging was the process of creating this production. Most of the cast are long time members of the Great Jones Repertory Group and have been working with Ellen for many years. I have been with her since 1993 when I came in as a quick study in Tancredie and Ermenia. During the rehearsals of Asclepius, Ellen would drift in and out consciousness due to the medication. She was often lucid one moment with clear direction and then incoherent the next. Often times, the actors had to walk up to her bed to hear her suggestions (she was also on a portable respiratory machine). But, her precarious voice always resonated with intent and vision. As we neared the opening, things grew intense and emotional. Opening any theatrical show is always stressful to some extent but Ellen’s energy began to wane as a result.

Her bed was on the stage during the technical rehearsal so that we could hear her directions. She was weak but she put all her energy into finishing the show.  The fact that it was finished was both evidence of the commitment we have for theater and our love for Ellen. Those who came to last night’s opening performance probably saw a raw performance with energy and artistry, but also rough on the edges no doubt. This production is not only just the most recent artist statement from a Macarthur Genius Grant recipient, which supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just and peaceful world, but a testament to the persevering vision and iron will of Ellen Stewart.

To keep my blog content consistent, there is minimal non-traditional shakuhachi performed by Yukio Tsuji and I (from the wings). This would be a great show for those interested in hearing how a shakuhachi flute can be effectively used outside of a Zen or Hogaku music approach. My role as Apollo has been challenging for many reasons. More reports to come.