It's one thing to portray another character onstage and another to be portraying one's self. It's easier to hide when you're someone else. There's no running and no hiding in this piece! Black Hippie Chronicles was that way,but there was about 20 years between the time of those experiences before it was brought on stage. Obviously this is more recent. What makes this performance of Cancer,Peace,Love and Assorted Realities even more interesting for me is that I expect some who lived various chapters of this story with me to be in the audience!
It is great working with Phil Hunter on this piece. We've had a long working relationship and we know how each other works. We come from quite different theater experiences,but what he offers as Director blends well with what I want to do with this story.
Reggae and Rasta works have always maintained a kind of "rawness". I think this piece falls into that category.
This is a very personal story obviously,and I think the theater space of Dreamland Arts in St. Paul is ideal. It's small and intimate. There's also a full circle aspect to it all..I lived just blocks from Dreamland Arts when this entire adventure began.
What more can I say except I look forward to this January 19th performance.
http://www.dreamlandarts.com/shows/detail.php?eventId=212
