Swing State - A Musical Fable
Book and Lyrics by Dana Yeaton
Music by Andy Mitton
Plays and musicals are cool. I never thought that until seven years ago when I photographed one for the first time, the musical "Ordinary Days" at the Towle Theater. (I had been to maybe four plays/musicals before then.)
The reason I think they are cool is that you do not have to take the writer's intent of the story. If you have a different life experience that you can relate it to, to adapt to, then you can make that connection. A connection that will be more meaningful. The power of imagination, dreams, hopes, desires, and yes even bitterness, brings life to the play or musical.
For me I felt the need for friends from this musical. Everyone needs friends, for without a friend life becomes lonely. Sometimes we isolate ourselves from others because of our beliefs, or because of other's beliefs. Yet if we stay isolated, without friends, that is our purpose?
In a swing state, political parties have equal support among the residence. Either can win. Because of that circumstance there will be influences to make it one side or the other. So what if you had a born again Christian as one side, and an atheist on the other. What if the Christian side pushed so hard that they lost support. What if the atheist side pushed hard and lost support as well. What if after all the rallying you find a need for a friend, and find you helping each other.
This is a powerful piece about two lives in the swing state of Ohio. However the conflicts that are generated by the lives of these two individuals puts them at odds at times with one another and with those around them, as if you were both on a swing going in opposite directions. Until, you realize what is important and you find that you and your friend are now on the swing moving in harmony, in the same cycle, same direction as friends, and still maintaining an individual stance as opposites.
Obviously, go see this musical. The character of Bonnie (played by Ellie Cambell) is performed magnificently, while Neil (played by Mark LeBeau) does an excellent job to actually see and help Bonnie through her problems, while Bonnie, in her own way, tries to help Neil.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director — Jeff Casey
Vocal / Music Director — Elizabeth Tuazon
Lighting Designer & Operator — Adrienne Petty
Set/Costume Designer — Kevin Bellamy
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