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[Centaur]

Boots with name tags representing the more than 200 military personnel from Illinois killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will be displayed on the proscenium walls at Harper College’s Performing Arts Center in Palatine. This will be during performances of Irwin Shaw’s heart rending yet satirical play “Bury the Dead” on Fri-Sat-Sun November 12-21. I was a sergeant in Vietnam, but I’ll be playing one of the perplexed generals. For more information go to: goforward.harpercollege.edu/page.cfm?id=4447&verbose=4838

[Paulie pchris00]

I knew there was a reason I requested Friday night off. I just couldn't remember it off hand. Hopefully Hillary and I will be there.

[Centaur]

Nov 7, 2010 10:45:28 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I knew there was a reason I requested Friday night off. I just couldn't remember it off hand. Hopefully Hillary and I will be there.

You and Hillary would be most welcome, Paulie. We had our first dress-tech rehearsal yesterday. Wow! The music, sound, lighting and special graphical effects are just amazing. The women look dazzling in their dresses representing different eras from 1918 right up to today. I’m working on my General MacArthur look. Let me know when you are coming, and I will meet you in the lobby after the show.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt will return.

[Centaur]

Nov 8, 2010 11:29:39 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Curt will return.

He’ll return without sunglasses. I tried the MacArthur look with aviator sunglasses for one rehearsal, but the director wanted to see my eyes. Nevertheless, the rest of my outfit makes me appear to be a no-nonsense WWII three-star general. Ah-Ten-Hut!

[Paulie pchris00]

I think we will be there tonight.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'd like to see some pics of the action.

[Paulie pchris00]

You shall receive.

[Centaur]

Nov 12, 2010 13:01:46 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I think we will be there tonight.

Paulie, I’m looking forward to seeing you and Hillary tonight. Give me some minutes after the show to change clothes and meet you in the lobby.

Nov 12, 2010 13:07:08 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I'd like to see some pics of the action.

Joe, here’s a link to yesterday’s Daily Herald article about our show. It includes a couple of rehearsal pictures along with mention of my wartime experience: www.dailyherald.com/article/20101110/news/711119943/

[Centaur]

Here’s a campus map. Park in lot #2. Avoid lot #2A which is for faculty.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Thespian Astronomer.

Break a leg man!

[Centaur]

Nov 12, 2010 13:22:44 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

You shall receive.

Paulie, please turn off your photo-flash.

[Paulie pchris00]

Yes, I know. Thanks for the parking tip. I was looking at the campus map this morning.

[Paulie pchris00]

Friday night Hillary and I made the rather long drive (179 miles roundtrip!) to Harper College in Palatine to see the production “Bury the Dead.” We were looking forward to the performance, especially of the Second General, played by Curt. We arrived over an hour before the doors opened, and killed time walking around the campus. Although we did not make the long walk to it, I found on the campus directory that there was an astronomical observatory on site.








Hillary in front of the Performing Arts Center.


Quoting director Laura Pulio Colbert from the program:

“Irwin Shaw’s Bury the Dead was written in 1936, when the world was still struggling to recover from World War I (the ‘War to End All Wars’), yet bracing for the Second World War coming to fruition on the European continent. More than 70 years later- nearly three-quarters of a century- have passed since then. Yet, when I first read Shaw’s play, what struck me most was how little has changed.”



The production from Colbert, cast, and production staff was updated to include all of the United States’s major conflicts from WWI to the present time. As long as there is war, I’m afraid this story truly is timeless.


As expected from the title of this thread, on either side of the stage was a column of boots and name tags of more than 200 soldiers and Marines from Illinois killed in the theaters of Iraq and Afghanistan in current conflicts. I found it impossible not to be moved by the sacrifice of those soldiers, yet wonder of the senselessness of their deaths. Waiting for the play to begin, I thought, “All those boots… They’re gone. Why?”









I’m not a performing arts critic, and have no intention of spoiling the play for anybody who might want to attend next weekend, but I recommend seeing it. It’s use of satirical humor in the first act helps keep the mood light, despite the subject matter. The second act, though, is a little heavier, and my eyes welled up during a few scenes.


After the performance, we met Curt in the lobby, and mingled and collected autographs from several cast members. Everybody seemed pleased with the performance, and hoped that the good opening night crowd would lead to strong attendance for the rest of the shows. Thanks to the Harper College Ensemble Theater Company for providing this entertainment, especially during the Veterans Day weekend, and to Curt Renz for bringing this production to my attention.




Second General actor Curt Renz after the performance.


In this scene, three generals (played by Marty Knight, Curt Renz, and David Gordon) discuss what to do about the six soldiers who refuse to be buried with Captain (Dwight Brown), and Military Doctor (Jerry Seiling).










Second General: "Oh, and Captain, stay away from the bottle!"


An ensemble performance for the final scene.





The helmet of the soldier pictured on screen says, "War is Hell."

[Centaur]

Thank you so much for making the trip to our opening night, Paulie & Hillary. I’m so glad you appreciated the show and its message. And more thanks for sharing the photos. The other cast members certainly enjoyed meeting you in the lobby. You gave some of them nice ego boosts when you asked for their autographs!

Last night a 70+ playwright friend and his wife attended the show. Below is a copy of the e-mail he sent me afterward.

Congratulations on "BuryThe Dead". Everyone did a great job. My wife and I were certainly moved to tears. I felt as if I had written the play. It said everything that I have to say about war. Everyone should see this play... Fantastic!

[Paulie pchris00]

Yes, the actors/actresses were all quite flattered when we asked for autographs. They've worked hard, I'm sure, and deserve that recognition. I wish I could have gotten everybody's autograph. Besides you, we got Dwight Brown, Ryan Gore Jason Pereira, Jon Sundal, Jennifer Lenius, Dave Gordon, Michelle Bayer, and one that I'm trying to decipher.

[Centaur]

And here’s the comment from my acting teacher who had read the previous comment from the playwright.

I could not say it better as an audience member this weekend. Truly a moving story and performed beautifully and memorably by each of the actors. I was moved passionately by the content… Thank you so much for sharing an unforgettable theatrical event with us.