“Now is the winter of our discontent…”. Words of discouragement due to the continuous Covid saga? Comments regarding the snow and ice we have seen already this year? Possibly – but for me it is a smile statement. It was just announced today that the auditions have been set for our production of Richard III. Ironically, my audition for the Romeo & Juliet production was the opening monologue in Richard III. There are 57 male characters in the “Dramatis Personae” of Richard III so presumably there will be one character old enough for me to play.

I say “our” production because I consider myself a member of the family known as the Shared Radiance Performing Arts Company that produces Shakespeare productions semiannually (live, if covid permits). I have mentioned in a previous blog my affinity to this group for two reasons. First of all is my love of Shakespeare since junior high. Secondly, is that, for me, being in Shared Radiance is like going to a family reunion twice a year – without the peckish Uncle or political rudeness. It’s like a Thanksgiving gathering where everybody brings the most delicious meal. I fully expect to break out into a verse of “La Vie Boheme B” from Rent when we gather for rehearsals.

As a card-carrying septuagenarian, I am absorbed in a multitude of PBS shows. As the younger generation can cosplay the entire Marvel or Anime genre, I could do well the same with many PBS characters. That being said, there is a quote that hit home to me from an elderly character on Call the Midwife. Sister Monica Joan said,

“Seek not wisdom under the branches of the mighty oak. Its shadows cast confusion.                                 Stand instead beside the saplings. There is more light. You will gain clarity”.   

The saplings bringing light in this case are the young adult actors in Shared Radiance that share their talents. This is a group of people that remind me of how good people are supposed to be. Their “wisdom” of humanness is truly genuine. These are smart, curious, caring, forward thinking goof balls that bring joy. Yes, they get discouraged, have problems, and are discovering who they are and who they want to become in life. Rehearsals are a safe place, an honest place, a sharing place – and they even let me join in all their reindeer games.  Sure, I have no clue sometimes relative to their pop culture references – but then, they don’t know mine. In some odd way they make me feel young – Clarity is reminding me what mighty oaks could become if given enough light.

 In every production I have participated in to date, my character has been either the father, grandfather, or uncle of another character in the play. I would proudly play that part in real life for any one of these marvelous saplings (except maybe Slender – he is of course a knucklehead).

Shakespeare wrote in his Sonnet 22 “My glass shall not persuade me I am old. So long as youth and thou are of one date.” At least a few months out of each year the mirror is looking pretty good. For now, however, I need to practice being an old man for my audition.