The Classics, My Observance --by Silvia Gonzalez Scherer

Recently, I went to a local theater to see a production. An actor I interviewed for my documentary was in it. I was delighted to be there. As a playwright, I enjoy studying classic plays. It was a play by Neil Simon and directed nicely by Cynthia Maxwell. She and her cast effortlessly brought this classic play to life. 

One of my plays is published alongside one of Neil Simon's plays in a book for schools. If you peruse that book, you will see a variety of plays.  Older plays are much longer. The newer plays like mine, more succinct.

It has been observed that newer play scripts tend not to be as long as before. I have seen extended one-act plays. I have seen two-act plays, with the first act about 45 to one hour and the second act lasting about 30-45 minutes.

Why are newer plays shorter in length?  It could be attention span. Generations born in the eighties and later have been seduced by other media, making sitting passively in a theater and watching actors on a stage less desirable. 

I believe that everyone should see live theater. It is a great experience and needs to thrive. So, I say capturing the youth is essential, for they are the ones who will continue this theater experiences. 

I remember working in a theater in Chicago in the literary department of a well-established theater company. It was called The Body Politic. By the time I got there, the patrons were in their 70s, and some were in their 80s. Stairs were becoming an issue for some of them. What I didn't see was a younger audience. However, the actors were young and grateful for a paid job.

I discussed my concerns with the then-director. He may have listened to my concerns for he produced two plays that were not classics. However, the end was already near for that theater.

The Body Politic Theater survived over 20 years and closed its doors in 1989. They did fine work, but I believe their older generation may have had to struggle to navigate driving, parking, and handling steep stairs not as easily as they used to. An elevator would have helped but the cost in an old building was prohibited for that theater by time they entertained the idea.

I enjoyed my experience there and learned a lot. I learned that a theater can't survive without having a steady stream of revenue. At the Temple theater and our Lil' Brick Theater, we share high AC costs that takes a chunk out of our finances.

I never said goodbye to The Body Politic Theater. I am saying it now and grateful for the experience and having met actors George Wendt and Martin Short when they passed by to do a show there.