Drama should provoke discussion…

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I saw a play on Wednesday.  The Moscows of Nantucket (run ends 12 June 2011).  The actors were great.  The play (by Sam Forman) had more than a few moments, but it tried too hard (in my opinion).  But, it did provide food for thought.  Here’s the plot, in a nutshell.

The parents (Richard and Ellen) are both my age; she formerly doing retail decorating, he retired from finance (but still obsessed with the machinations of the stock market.  Their two sons (Michael and Ben), are both in their mid-30’s.  One is a successful writer/producer of a hit TV show living “La Dolce Vida” in poshy SoCal, the other is a writer (wannabe) who is a binge drinker (or alcoholic) living in his parents basement.

Dad’s parents and grandparents had nothing, but worked their assets off their whole lives.  Dad always traveled, trying to get ahead and “bring home the bacon” for his family (and neglected his kids, to a large degree).  Mom has (more than the) subtle putdowns for her kids, as she talks.

The questions:

  1. Why did Michael leave his wife (he has the 3 y old child and a nanny)?  Was it because he was successful and could no longer abide the trappings of his old life?  Or, did he want to pick up with a buxom Southern blonde (from a trailer park), the star of his sitcom?
  2. What is wrong with Ben?  Does he drink because he is not good enough?  Or is he not good enough because he drinks?
  3. Why is Ben living with his parents (the boomerang generation)? Is this better for him live with his parents or better for him to “starve” on his own?
  4. What really led to the chasm between brothers?  Success versus failure?  Mom’s “subtle” messages?  (Michael , while successful, has never once tried to make a connection for Ben.  He offers to do so twice for others during the play.)

As you can see, you don’t have to see the play to have these conversations! If you have kids of that age (or nearly so), I am sure you already have had these discussions.  If you are among the boomerang generation, I am certain you, too, have engaged these thoughts.  (I know my kids have!) )  [I am not even throwing in the Jewish parents wishing their children would marry Jewish (and stay so married), because that topic has been argued for decades. ]   It’s Memorial Day.  Enjoy your discussions over the burgers and beer!

 

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