"The play's the thing."

I remember 11th grade English Literature with Mr. Tassone. We studied Hamlet among other great literary works and plays. He was one of my all time favorite teachers who cultivated my appreciation for live theater.

My friend Christa Avampato took a sabbatical of sorts last year in California. She wrote the play, "Sing After Storms" which I have blogged about in previous posts.

Christa announced in her blog yesterday that the rough cut of "Sing After Storms" was available on You Tube.



Last evening after dinner, my husband and I sat down to watch it.

Even though I had read the script and knew the back story of the play, I was spellbound by the performances.

We weren't even aware that the sun had set and our living room was almost dark except for the light from our computer. We paused it to turn on the lights and then finished watching the performance.

I can only imagine how incredible the show is live in the theater.

I am hoping that Christa will find a way to bring her production to Boston and/or have more performances in New York on a weekend when I don't have plans.

But for now, you can enjoy Christa's creation brought to life by a fabulous cast and crew on You Tube.

Today in Christa's blog she wrote,

I tried for a long time to keep my steady paycheck while also progressing on my writing and other creative projects. With a plan B always at the ready, I could only get so far. To really progress, I needed to let go of the comfy ledge I was teetering on for a long time. The path to progress was straight through the eye of discomfort, and though it wasn’t easy I’m glad I didn’t flinch."

Me too, Christa! Me too. Thank you for having the courage to let go and allow your gifts to flow. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.

#transformationtuesday From a Blank Page to Opening Night: Sing After Storms - A New Play

Just about a month ago I featured my friend and playwright Christa Avampato in my blog, #transformationtuesday Christa in New York Sings After Storms.

I can't believe that tomorrow is opening night for the new play Sing After Storms.

Dr. Jack Young and his team are nominated for the Nobel Prize for the unconventional methods they use to treat patients and remove the stigma around mental illness. As the announcement of the award is made, legal allegations threaten to undermine Jack’s success in every facet of his life. Desperate to hold together his career, marriage, and family, Jack attempts to halt the unraveling of the reputation he has worked so hard to build by taking on one last patient.

I remember reading Christa's blog last summer as she talked about taking time and space in her temporary new home on the West Coast to dedicate to a writing project.

She shared in her blog that her play had been accepted and would be presented as part of the 2014 Thespis Theater Festival.

In May, I posted photos of the first table read of the play.

Last week, Christa shared photos from the tech rehearsal in the theater:

Pearl:



At the police station:



She's got legs - at the party:



Tell me Jack:



Christa - Director Passion:



I've decided to take another patient:



To healing:



How ya gonna fix this one Jack?:



Carol's missing:



Carol's got a gun:



Christa sent me the script to read and Sing After Storms will keep you on the edge of your seat. Christa weaves together themes that are sure to resonate in some way to each theater goer. The characters and the story line are sure to grip your heart and soul. It was thrilling for me to see the photos from the tech rehearsal as I watched the characters and the action of the play come to life before my very eyes.

Are you intrigued?

Are you in awe of how one woman's creative force has transformed a blank page into a theatrical production? I am!

Today is the last day to purchase your tickets at the discounted price of $10 on EventBrite. You can purchase tickets at the door for $20.

Performances are Wednesday 6/18 at 8:45 pm
Saturday 6/21 at 9:00 pm
Sunday 6/22 at 9:30 pm

If you are anywhere in the greater New York City area, be sure to catch one of the performances of Christa Avampato's Sing After Storms - A New Play.

I look forward to when the production comes to Boston!