Hello Beautiful People,
There’s a new theatre art space downtown – the Sheen Center.
Their mission is thus-
The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture is a forum to highlight the true, the good, and the beautiful as they have been expressed throughout the ages. Cognizant of our creation in the image and likeness of God, the Sheen Center aspires to present the heights and depths of human expression in thought and culture, featuring humankind as fully alive. At the Sheen Center, we proclaim that life is worth living, especially when we seek to deepen, explore, challenge, and stimulate ourselves, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, intellectually, artistically, and spiritually. The Sheen Center complex encompasses 2 Theaters, 4 rehearsal studios and an Art Gallery.
So, when I was invited to see a new musical in a new theatre, well, I didn’t have to think twice.
New work and new art is my bread and butter.
Currently playing in the black box theatre is a new musical, Closer Than You Think – music, lyrics and look by Brett Kristofferson, and directed by Jessica Bashline with musical direction by Bryan Wade.
The official synopsis is thus – based on the movie ”Across the Tracks”, Closer Than You Think charts the struggle of one family finding their way back to each other. Billy and Joe, teenage brothers from the wrong side of the tracks, have taken two very different paths, much to the dismay of their mother. One a gifted high school track star, one returning from a stint in prison, both desperately searching for something. The challenges Billy and Joe face: economic depression, substance abuse, crushing self-doubt, and recovery, are timely and universal. Rivalry, redemption and forgiveness, Closer Than You Think is a musical about what you are running from, who you are running to, and the struggle for one family to find its way.
My take is such – Closer Than You Think is a delight.
The cast will leave you thinking about your high school days even if you did not play a sport and you’ll exit the theatre feeling hopeful and happy. I was particularly impressed with the choreography – I had no idea how one would move a musical about running – but Kyle Pleasant did so with skilled grace, and his choreography truly made the story come alive in an innovative way, (made possible by an ensemble of gifted dancers, let by dance captain TJ Newton.)
Closer Thank You Think closes Jun 27th. Tickets an additional info can be found here.
Go treat yourself to a new work and a new theatre – it’ll be an adventure.
Live, Love, Learn,