"Clybourne Park" by Bruce Norris, a Magnificent Play

My husband & I went to see "Clybourne Park," the latest play by our friend Bruce Norris at Playwrights Horizons during the snow storm.  Although still in previews, this is the most amazing, thought-provoking play I've seen in a long time.  My husband, Jake Daehler, went to Northwestern with Bruce and directed him in a David Rabe play, "Sticks & Bones." They can talk about that play like it was yesterday.  Bruce is an interesting person.  He's funny, smart, talented, pessimistic, honest, blunt, and challenging. Whenever we watch a movie with the slightest hint of redemption, optimism, or a moral lesson we say, "Bruce will hate this movie." 

A mutual friend of Bruce & Jake's, actress Jessica Hecht had said "Clybourne Park" is a beautiful play.  If you know Bruce, beautiful and his work isn't the first thing that comes to mind.  However, as the lights were coming down, I exhaled, "Oh, my god."  It is a beautiful play.  Yes, there's anguish, pain, vulgarity, insults, and despair, with racism at its heart. 

"Who are the people in your neighborhood? In 1959, a white family moves out.  In 2009, a white family moves in.  In the intervening years, change overtakes a neighborhood, along with attitudes, inhabitants, and property values.  Loosely inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's 'A Raisin in the Sun,' Bruce Norris's pitch-black comedy takes on the specter of gentrification in our communities, leaving no stone unturned in the process."

Bruce deserves to win a Pulitzer for this as the issues of race are as relevant today as they ever were.  On "Sesame Street," grade 'A' TV programming, there is an episode where this little girl talks about color.  In her Kindergarten class, the teacher has all the kids sit in a circle from lightest to darkest so they can recognize the difference in each other.  So instead of ignoring the differences, recognize it. 

In a recent article in preparation for the opening of "Clybourne Park," Bruce laments:

"...for all of our supposed advancement, do we really think the problem will ever go away? I don't.  I think it will endure, and take on different shapes, if not between the 'races,' then between Hutu and Tutsi, Israeli and Palestinian, Serb and Croat, Hindu and Muslim, Hatfield and McCoy, Red State and Blue.  It's just what we do.  It's like patriotism...So what do we do about it?  Don't ask me.  But a first step might be to stop pretending that we've suddenly freed ourselves from that primitive legacy, and admit that racism is as natural as breathing.  That might be the least we can do." 

It's been over a week, and I'm still thinking about this play.  During the play, I was riveted and involved in the story.  Afterwards, as an actress, it hit me: I want to be in Bruce Norris play!  What an honor!  However, the actors that night were all great and very honest in delivering this amazing playwright's message.  Everyone needs to see this.

DOE, demons?

This year at my daughter's school, The Clinton School for Writers and Artists, some of the parents have been heavily involved with the Relocation Committee.  I mentioned this before, but I'm on the PTA executive board as Recording Secretary, Relocation Committee & a Class Parent.  That's more than enough for anyone.  Having been thrown into PTA last year it has been a eye opener dealing with the Department of Education in NYC and realizing that these bloodsuckers don't care about children.  It's beyond politics, because you'd think if something didn't financially make sense they wouldn't do it. 

A promise was made to PS 11, where Clinton is also housed, to move Clinton by 2010.  DOE came up with a proposal to move Clinton to PS 33, an elementary school a few blocks away, same district in  Chelsea. Unbeknownst to anyone until a few months ago, in order for Clinton to move into PS 33, a special needs school needs to be moved out.  The plan was to move some of them to a hearing impaired school that does not have working elevators, bathrooms that aren't wheelchair accessible, longer commute time, and no integration with regularly functioning students.  All bad.  

Jefferson Siegel, a journalist with Chelsea Now, a terrific paper telling it like it is in the Chelsea area where Clinton is located, has written a couple of articles about our plight.  4 schools are being pitted against each other in a game of musical chairs with the DOE at the on/off switch.  As Pat Jewett, PTA president of 138, the special needs school that would be most affected by this proposal to move Clinton said, "Like crabs in a basket, that's what the DOE wants us to be."  

A quick solution that none of us can fathom why the DOE doesn't want to do this, is move some incoming kindergarten kids to PS 33, an under crowded, already established elementary school.  No need to make upgrades to accommodate a middle school.  Move some of the G&T kids over.  Oh, no we'll lose the majority of our PTA money.  Now we're getting somewhere.  Can't be crowded when you have 20 kids at most in a class to keep your Title 1 funding that offers free lunch to 60% of your students.  We need to look at these figures.  You don't have to be a Title 1 school to qualify for free lunch.  Although things are changing all the time. 

We now have a signed letter by 6 elected officials including Quinn, Stringer, Gottfried, etc. to take this proposal off the table because of the impact to PS 138.  What do they do?  Ignore it and come up with another plan to move PS 138 into 4 other schools.  They really want Clinton in PS 33.  A political move to help the community there with a thriving, very desirable middle school, but at what cost?  The kids will lose their mandated science lab, theatre space, outdoor space, lunch room.  They will get a gym to be shared by elementary school students.  Money is passing hands or bodily fluids.  I believe that a handful of people on the panel are going to say no to this proposal as is.  And we will start all over again next year because the DOE is determined to get Clinton out.  They claim they are looking for a permanent home for Clinton.  Well do so.  We've scouted a space on East 15th, there are many available spaces that if they would start work on it now could have Clinton a home by in 2012 maybe even 2011.  

Next time I'm going to write about Bruce Norris's play, "Clybourne Park," which should win a Pulitzer Prize.  I left the theatre knowing I had just witnessed greatness.  

Super Bowl

Way to go Saints!  What an exciting game. I'm happy for them. Too bad we're not betters. My favorite commercials were (1) the Doritos ad with the little kid who slaps her mom's boyfriend's face; (2) The Late Show with Letterman, Oprah & Leno, though I wish they would have somehow used Conan; and (3) the Dove for men ad.  My husband, Jake Daehler  did a voice over for a Subway commercial with Reggie Bush that was running for a while; why they didn't revive it to run during the Super Bow is beyond us!  Oh, that money would have been nice.

It's a rough time right now

Currently I'm devoting a lot of attention to my daughter's school, The Clinton School for Writers and Artists.  The DOE has proposed that Clinton move temporarily to a new school until a new one can be secured.  Without going into too much detail, as a member of the PTA Executive Board, the Relocation Committee & Class Parent, this is consuming my life.  I somehow manage to have plenty of time to spend with my two year old son, but when I'm not doing that, it's Clinton! I've given myself the deadline of February 24th, after the panel makes a decision on whether we move or stay, to stop working on this.  I need a break.  The horrible part of this whole deal, is that our moving into a new school, means that the students occupying that space have to be relocated as well, and they are physically handicapped students who don't want to leave either!  What a screwy system we have.  We have hearings coming up next week where our parents can vent, ask questions, express concerns.  

I've said this to myself before, if I spent this much time working on my career as I do all the Clinton stuff, I might have a career!  So, I have to refocus.  I was feeling optimistic the other day, but I guess that's what being under employed does, you feel good one day, horrible the next.  My stress level is at an all time high.    My husband, Jake Daehler, says that this is the most financially stressful time of his life, but he has me.  That's nice.  This is the most financially stressful time of my life and I have stress!! 

Trying to get back on track physically. I ran today at the gym.  Did that twice this week and will most likely either go to the gym again tomorrow or go to Luigi.  Luigi is the best.  In 2002, my friend, Tony Roberts, told me about this dance teacher who would change my life.  He's right.  His class is terrific.  It's perfect for every body & every age.  It's a perfect compliment to the running.  This class was so great while I was pregnant, too.  Loved it.  I think I'll call a friend and go.  

Looking for Work

Isn't that how it always is?  The actor looking for work.  Always in between jobs.  There are jobs, no matter how long apart they are, I'm still an actress and singer.  That's what I do, that's who I am.  


Today in my therapist's office I was once again obsessing about money and how to make more.  She suggested Craig's List as a way to find things that would be relevant to my life or at least give me ideas as to what's out there.  Why hadn't I thought of Craig's List before?  It's perfect.  So, I went looking on their site today and did find something that I'm very interested in: A management position with DCM, a leading Telemarketing Company for the Performing Arts. Located in Midtown Manhattan (perfect, that's where I live).  Looking for someone with a passion & firm belief in the relevance of the arts (again perfect).  Computer skills, team player & a motivator (yes, perfect).  Prior telemarketing, sales or fund raising experience a must (okay, not so perfect).  I do have skills in these areas, but the resume for them is so old.  However, I think my involvement as a Class Parent & PTA Executive Board member at my daughter's school counts for something.  As well as working the phone banks for the Obama campaign.  


So, this has gotten me excited.  Doing something is always good. I'm an actress, singer, wife, mother, athlete, vegetarian.  The order changes depending on the day.  I'm proud of all those things.