During a Sunday night rehearsal, my mom texted me with an update on the Kansas City Chiefs game she was watching and how exciting that game was. After the rehearsal was over, I texted her to let her know I was done, and I didn’t reply right away because I was rehearsing. She replied, “…that’s a bit of a shift, isn’t it?”
She was referring to the fact that I had just finished rehearsing for this year’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” but the first two nights the Trident Theatre had led a storytelling tour at Fort Philkarney for their Full Moon Fort event. There has indeed been a big shift.
While this year’s Fort Full Moon tours tell the story of the Battle of Feltman and strongly depict life on the frontier after the Civil War and frozen and mutilated corpses, the tours are still intended for a more general audience (though families are warned that Only the first tour in the evening will be scaled down for kids to enjoy). So jumping from detailed theatrical retellings of history to niche cult classics with strong sexual themes, told in hilarious savage…maybe my mom was surprised I didn’t get whipped.
I don’t think I thought much of it when she said that, other than counting my lucky stars, I was able to get two great theatrical gigs in a season. But once she said that, my reflection gears started to turn. On the one hand, as the head of a theater production company, you can have the sovereign right to choose projects of interest. On the other hand, it’s hard to turn down a job.
But, on reflection, I think it’s absolutely sensible for artists to be able to have a wide variety in their products. It must have been quite a shock for photographers to switch from film to digital, without actually needing a darkroom, and how this change made photographers see the world. Still, there are some photographers who prefer film over digital, but again I think it’s fascinating to have so much versatility in a single art form.
I also realize that not every show will please every audience. Try to name a game that satisfies all needs. I would argue with anyone on any drama, even my favorites. I know I’ve been thinking, “How could anyone like that?” But they did, and I believe it speaks to the diversity of people’s tastes. Everyone has something.
But all in all, I do appreciate the fact that, since its inception, Trident has grown into something that not only offers various types of plays and productions, but also a delivery method that entertains audiences.
To everyone who attended Full Moon Castle, I sincerely thank you for your patronage. And, if you think it might be for you, I encourage you to give The Rocky Horror Picture Show a try. I have many noble reasons why experience is still an important part of collective culture. However, you can come here for a night of relaxation and crazy fun. It will only run one night at the WYO Center for the Performing Arts and Education on October 29th at 7pm.
Oh, by the way, the Chiefs ended up winning that game. I’m not a big football fan personally, but I’m glad my mom can rely on it every week.
