Mid-November and the festive holiday mood is just starting
to hit me, helped along by driving through downtown Golden’s glittery trees
hung with fairy lights, and anticipation of the Christmas play, “Greetings” at Miners
Alley Playhouse. It is Members’ Night,
and even though I’m not a member, there were still a few seats on the side
available when I booked online at the last minute.
Miners Alley is a member of the Lakewood Arts Council and
offers wall space for LAC-arranged exhibits.
For a few weeks in October and November, the Ken Caryl Art Guild has
contracted with the LAC to hang a Holiday themed show, and since I had two
paintings hanging, that was another reason to visit the theater.
After enjoying the artwork, we were ushered into the theater
for the play by Tom Dudzick, directed by Rita Broderick. As the lights went down, an announcement was
made and the audience was introduced to four individuals who are taking over
for Rick Bernstein, founder of the Morrison Theater Company that became Miners
Alley Playhouse. He is handing over the
reins after 24 years, but plans to remain active with the playhouse in a
smaller capacity.
The play itself is about a conservative Catholic family
thrown into disarray by the arrival of the son with his Jewish but atheist
fiancé. As you can imagine, beliefs and
morality are tested, with comedic and
miraculous results. Amazing
things happen within the hearts and minds of the rest of the family. I took away from this play a message of
unconditional love, a broadening of perspective and experienced a range of
emotions teased out by relating to the characters, their personalities and
inner battles.
Members’ Night at the playhouse gives the added advantage of
the cast “talk-back” where they discuss the play and field questions from the
audience. Rita Broderick, director, was all praise for this ensemble cast, none
of whom (except Rick Bernstein) had performed at Miners Alley previously. It was her intuition that chose these cast members
and allowed for their natural characterizations to mesh with the other
actors. Her favorite line from the play
embodied that we don’t all have to believe in the same thing, but we have to
believe in something. When Rick (who
channeled a grumpy old Italian New Yorker for his character, not unlike Archie
Bunker) was asked what he took away from this play he said it was that he
appreciated the opportunity to learn to love. And we can all use more of that –
especially during the holiday season!
“Greetings” runs through December 23rd. Tickets are available
at www.minersalley.com or 303
935-3044.
