Unfortunately I was unable to attend the field-trip to Alliance for Independence like the majority of my classmates were. I think it would have been a worthwhile and educational experience to go. It may have given me a new perspective on The Boys Next Door. Or maybe not, I do have friends and family with disabilities. But, then again, each person is unique and would be a different experience. Anyway, I still couldn't go and what's done is done.
Do you know something that did help me "see" this play better? When we went into our groups in class and performed small sections of the play. It really helped in exploring the personalities of each of the characters. You begin to see patterns in their speech and their reactions to the different people and situations. I have only been and actor onstage twice. Once, in third grade, I played a reindeer in the Christmas play. In fifth grade, I played a one of three (or four?) birds that were singing storytellers throughout the entire musical production of Little Red Riding Hood. Not a lot of acting experience. Through this exercise, I started to understand why thespians love theater so much. You really get to know your characters. You analyze and dissect the story so many different ways that you can't help but begin to understand it. I think it was one of my favorite in-class exercises that we have done.
Last thing, and I will stop boring you with my chatter. I finished The Boys Next Door today. The first act was focused more on comedy, I think. The last act certainly had comedy in it, but there were so many things that broke you heart when you read them. I couldn't believe how badly Barry's father had treated him. I can understand why he is the way he is, now. His fear of his father is so extreme that he was put back into an institution because of their encounter. And Jack left! Everyone mourned in their own strange way. Arnold screams, "Nyet!" and packs to go to Russia. Norman yells, "If you leave, Jack, I'll go on a hunger strike. Free doughnuts!" and throws them out the window. Lucien runs into his room and shouts out, "Jack be leaving us!" It was all so heart-wrenchingly sad.
It's a shame you missed it. It was a great and somewhat sad experience to hear of all the trouble some of these people are going through with things like finances.
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