I’m so glad that the shows made people laugh; that was my goal.

Rob, you, of course, had no problem seeing the real themes of the evening. It was definitely about sexuality, but also about connecting, which is something that keeps coming up in my writing. So much so, that my friend, Shari, teases me about its inevitability.

I got the last laugh on her though. I gave Shari the line - as Sue Kline, the desperate telemarketer, in “Call Girl” - “Connections. Connections. Connect.”

Yesterday noon, I had the pleasure of attending the HD live Metropolitan Opera performance of Verdi’s Macbeth. Beautiful singing of a familiar story, retold by master of music theater. Then last night, I had the fun of attending Sex with Seven Women by a talented young playwright, strong performances of witty incidents. Verdi made me cry; Brendon made me laugh.

As Rob said above, Brendon “has a sharp wit, a flair for language, and the courage to take risks for the sake of art.”

It was quite a day.

There will be some tickets available at the door tonight. Box office opens at 7 PM, doors at 7:30 PM.

Thank you, Northfield, for the great response. It was wonderful to see so many smiles as people left the theater. It inspires me more than I can really say.

We really appreciate your support!

Ann

As an actor IN Brendon’s work, I think I might have a different perspective than many here; when I first read through the work, I was a little unsure of it myself. And, truth be told, it wasn’t my first choice in shows to be a part of. However, after my audition, and hearing some of the pieces actually read aloud, my opinion changed. I am very glad to be a part of the show, controversy and misconstrued comments included, and believe that Brendon made a great choice in the name, because as an actor, it made me stop, take a second look, and say, “What?” (when I first saw the poster for auditions). In attracting a cast, the title, (titillating, was it called?) is a perfect hook; I emailed Brendon half in sheer curiosity to see just what this show was about.

Irregardless, I hope to see the seats at the NAG full on opening night, and am glad to be a part of Brendon’s production.

You freaking genius.

Who’s this Jesus guy you keep talking about? Sounds neat.

It should be noted to you, and to all, that I wrote these plays, like I write all my plays, to have fun.

I hope they make some folks laugh. That’s all.

Maybe there’s great art in that laughter, maybe not, but that has never been my goal or my claim.

They are words on a page. Words that I hope others might find amusing, entertaining, maybe stimulating (on occasion), but, mostly, they are words I wrote because I could.

I’m selfish that way.

Yes, I hope people go. Yes, I hope they enjoy themselves. Yes, I hope it helps the NAG produce more art - from anyone. Finally, yes, I hope they realize the plays are not autobiographical.

Tickets:
http://www.northfieldartsguild.org/index.php?content=plays#swsw

I am intrigued by the question that has arisen between the lines as this thread progresses: What would Jesus do? It’s a fascinating query, given that the theater of Jesus’ time was pretty much limited to state-sponsored torture and executions. (I don’t include religious theater because, aside from two or three notable exceptions, Jesus never went to a house of worship.) The illiterate son of a poor carpenter who never went more than 100 miles from where he was born, he may not have had the money or the interest in seeing a play like Brendon’s. But as this controversy grows, I do believe he would have followed it with interest.

He was, after all, noted for hanging out with tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes - the despised, disfigured, and dispossessed. For most of the past millennium, actors have certainly been placed in that category by Western society; in Shakespeare’s time professional troupes were viewed with moral suspicion and women were not permitted to tread the boards at all. As exposed by the glitz, glam, and glare of the paparazzi’s strobe lights, acting is still considered a morally ambiguous profession; we don’t hang on every escapade of the Spears family for its moral instruction. I think Jesus would be right at home backstage or in a dressing room, at least as much as in the pious middle-class living-rooms and churches of the people who profess to follow Him.

So, while I’m not sure if Jesus would actually go and see “Sex with Seven Women,” I do imagine him sitting comfortably on the steps of the NAG theater, engaging the cast and crew in a thoughtful discussion of their work. I picture him listening and laughing and probing, gentle yet firm, as he engages in a Socratic dialogue designed less to impose and confirm his own preconceptions about a particular play (or playwright) and more to explore art, the limits of the human experience, and how both can be synthesized into a meaningful communion with sacred reality. He’d show up, he’d love the artists (even if he doesn’t see or appreciate their art), and he would participate in the discussion that defines culture and tradition, even in places like Northfield.

At the end of “Inherit the Wind,” another play that pits tradition against modernity, religion against science, and the two sides of the I-35 against one another, the last image is of an agnostic defense attorney picking up a copy of the Bible in one hand and “Origin of the Species” in the other and placing both - firmly and respectfully - in his satchel. Like the men who wrote that great, Pulitzer-winning play, I believe that plays like Brendon’s do not pose us with either/or dichotomies of morality vs. immorality or religion vs. atheism, or even represent the beginning of a slippery slope to perdition or - worse - mediocrity. It’s all part of a sacred mix, and as members of this wonderful and vibrant community, our task is to hear and learn from all sides, treat each with respect, and carry them with us - together.

A couple thoughts…

Beth wrote:

“I believe that the Northfield Arts Guild has a calling to be great… I believe that you have two roads in front of you. You can keep producing works that need warnings about not being suitable for all audiences with profane language, sexual intonations, and nudity if you even want, or you can produce greatness. Plays that capture the hearts of its audiences- both old and young. Plays that stand the test of time. “

Beth,
Are you saying that the only plays that stand the test of time and are “great” are those that “capture the hearts of audiences”? This is not true. But, that is beside the point. I ask…What about our minds!? I find a lot of plays, movies, etc which carry warnings actually inspire me to think. Plays that go for “capturing the heart”, often insult my intelligence. I thank God for some of the great plays that you will most likely never see. They are rich and diverse.

Beth wrote:

I’m sure there are people who will enjoy Sex with Seven Women. They may even say that was a great play. But it will end there. The other road will lead to a nation saying “that was a great play”. And that work will continue. I wanted my very public letters to try to get community pressure to expect greatness from our Northfield Arts Guild.

Beth,
Wouldn’t it be nice if you had the power to judge art, right now today in our “all-knowing state”, what will end up being great? Even without reading it?! Wow. I, personally, suspect Brendon may end up being remembered as one of the great playwrights. Just imagine?! From Northfield, Minnesota!!!

Beth wrote: “Require greatness and that is what you will find.”

I agree. However, I have a little different view of greatness. Brendon has done amazing work. And, I have read these plays. And, guess what. You will find them quite tame…. and each great in a unique way. Thanks for all your efforts Brendon. Please continue to strive toward greatness… in a variety of ways.

Please, Northfield Arts Guild, continue to push us to new heights (for the Raelenes of the community) while making sure to hold on to past gems (for the Beth’s of the community). This is, after all, a COMMUNITY theater. Not every play can make everybody happy. Beth (and others with her views) are only part of Northfield. I am very proud that our community theater is supporting our entire community through its multiple and varied offerings. I would not value living here as much and would not be as dedicated as I am if it did not. The NAG is achieving greatness. Thank you.

Thank you for your request for 2 tickets to the Northfield Arts Guild’s production of Sex with Seven Women on Friday, January 11 at 8:00 pm. A total of $20 has been charged to your card.  Your tickets will be waiting for you at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater on the evening of the performance. The doors will open for seating one half hour before the show.