I have been a theater lover since forever. When I was a teenager, I availed myself of the myriad opportunities in New York City- one of them being that students could see a play for $ 3 a pop routinely. The theater is one of the things I truly miss by being an “ex-“New Yorker. (DC is working hard to remind me how much I “love” traffic snafus, however…) But, enough of where I live or lived.
Sunday night, I went to the theater here in DC. Two of our local theaters (Theatre J and the Arena Stage) are working together to present “The Chosen”, a play adapted from the Chaim Potok bestseller of the same name. First, if you are in the DC area- from now until 27 March- see it! Now, to the play.
One might think from it’s name that the play is about the (often) misapplied notion from the bible. It’s not. The Chosen is a craftily written play (and well-staged, I might add) about two Jewish (one Orthodox, the other a Chasid) boys from the mid-to-late 1940’s Brooklyn- and their fathers. Just four players. (The grown up Reuven is the play’s narrator and the fifth actor in the play, while the book has many incidental characters.) Not much action. Just reaction- theirs and ours. The plot describes how two very different teens grow to become the best of friends- and not friends. How life’s changes play on our friendships and our choices. How the two different upbringings are understood by each of the four players differently.
But, the play (and the book) is really about listening. Listening to what is said. Listening to what is never said. Listening to what should have been said. And, always acting to do the best thing one can do.
In today’s day and age, where we are bombarded with messages from every Tom, Dick, Harry, and Sue; where commercials scream at us from TV, magazines, and websites (darn those pop-ups); where we all want to get our messages across to (everyone? someone?)… it’s important to re-learn the art of listening. To learn from others- who may or may not be able to vociferate their intentions.
We can all learn from the medieval scholar, Rav Amnon: “…Bkol dmama yishama…” (“From a whisper, it shall resonate”.) Take the time to listen to what is going on around you today… and, every day.
Listening is vital. Thanks for this powerful and creatively-written post!
Leanne Chesser recently posted..Dani Nir-McGrath
Glad you liked it, Roshanda! As you know, we write to affect and effect others. I was passing along the message (as I heard it- pun intended) from the play. It’s your turn to pay it forward.
Take care.
I’m not quite close enough to DC to make it to the theatre. But it sounds like a wonderful message. And that’s a beautiful quote, Roy. Thanks for sharing it.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted..On Inspiration- Deadlines & Exploding Libraries
Michelle (with 2 L’s):
Glad you “heard” the message. We all need to open our eyes AND our ears to hear what folks are trying to say. Have a great day.
Roy
I took a couple of trips to New York when I was younger and always wanted to see a play in the theatre but my friends didn’t feel that was ‘cool’. So some day I play on getting back to New York and seeing a play – Roy, you really told such a wonderful story I could almost see myself there.
As for the message within, I also agree that listening is a virtue we must possess to make our relationships strong whether in business and in life.
Lynn Brown recently posted..Facebook Tip on Linking Your Fan Page
Lynn:
There are great places to see plays- whether on or off Broadway- or even in London. And, there’s some fairly decent regional theater out there in CA, as well.
I am pleased that I was able to transport you- even for 30 seconds- to the magical world. Thanks for that comment.
Listening is an art that should be second nature- but it’s barely a third cousin!
Roy,
Wonderful post. Wish I could get up to DC to see this play.
Very important message, we need to LISTEN no matter spoken or not.
The book takes longer to “swallow”, but it is a good, quick read. Enjoy it (and read it on several levels)….Roy