Bay Area audiences might already be familiar with the Bengsons after Z Space produced the world premiere of their musical memoir Hundred Days several years back, and Abigail and Shaun's talent for creating transcendence out of the little details of life is on full display in their current production The Keep Going Song. Streaming for pay-what-you-can until October 8th as part of the Actors Theatre of Louisville's current season, The Keep Going Song is a progression of linked tunes performed and recorded during quarantine at Shaun's parents' house in Ohio, incorporating issues of faith, grief, and resilience. The intimacy of the virtual concert is particularly effective for the subject matter here, and this atheist Buddhist was tremendously moved and ultimately quite uplifted by the viewing experience. We're all getting through this as best we can.
See also:
"We need people to help us do the things we need to do alone." Alfre Woodard delivers that beautiful line in the short play by Will Eno that opens the omnibus One Room, a series of pandemic one-acts commissioned by Vermont's Weston Playhouse. The works include the slyly humorous and the deadly serious, and even when the material occasionally falters the strength of the actors' performances elevates the viewing experience. Of course solo performances feel particularly relevant right now as we continue to isolate, and there were many moments where I felt strong resonances with my own life over the past months. Pieces like these will be such fascinating time capsules to look back on when we're finally through this.
See also: