Mothers and Sons

Steve and I just got back from seeing Mothers and Sons at the Beck Center.  It's an amazing play.  Extremely well acted.  Cal is a grown man who survived the AIDS epidemic of the late 20th century, but lost his lover.   Cue present day, he's happily married to his husband Will and has a young son.  Suddenly his deceased love's ex is visiting without a warning.  Tons of emotional turmoil ensues, including grief and guilt.

I really recommend seeing this show.   In equal measure, I wanted to slap and hug the mother in the play.  You can feel her pain and recoil at her homophobia.  You can see the differences in life now with marriage equality and alternative families and hear about what things were like in the past.

The Young Man From Atlanta

We just got back from the Beck Center.   We saw The Young Man From Atlanta.  It's all about grief and loss in the 1950's, societal expectations, and communication.

The family featured in this play has lost their only son, Bill.   A job loss for Will, the breadwinner and the ensuing monetary trouble brings their lack of communication to the surface.  The title character was Bill's roommate (and implied lover).   Lily Dale, the wife, is often alone.

The play is extremely well acted. however I just left the theater feeling sad.  I felt really bad for all the characters and their inability to express what they really thought and feel to whoever needed it most.   I guess you could think of it as grieving people who need comfort, but then are denied it or allowed it at lesser level than required.