by Janine Sobeck
Yesterday marked the final post show discussion for our current production of Looped. We've had some great and lively discussions over the course of the run. While so many people had great memories of Valerie (lots of Rhoda fans out there!), it was always great to hear the memories that people have of Tallulah - whether in person or from her performances. While she is such a larger than life Hollywood personality, audience members have continually connected on a personal level with the struggles she's had, and the perceptions she has on live.
One line in particular, (I won't spoil it, but it has to do with pain and suffering in life) has particularly hit home. In the conversation yesterday, Valerie was asked to repeat it because of the impact it had had on several audience members. Valerie continued to talk about the truth and wisdom in the line, based in the knowledge that so many people have to deal with horrific, unimaginable things/events in their lives. Tallulah with the heartbreaks of her early childhood - losing her mother, her relationship with her father, etc - as well as a myriad of other people. And yet, there is greatness and beauty in the ability to get beyond the events and continue to live your life in a way that the event does not win. Tallulah definitely did that. Playwright Matthew Lombardo has, from the personal stories he shared, has definitely done that. And the touching stories that audience members shared with me privately after the discussion, many around us have managed to do it as well.
It's closing weekend, so there's not many more opportunities to find out what the line is. But let me tell you, the impact is reverberating throughout our audiences.
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