Reverberated Voices

Tonight I had the absolute pleasure of watching a friend of mine (Jared O'Roark: www.jaredoroark.blogspot.com.) perform his one-man show. I can honestly say I was blown away. I’ve had the pleasure to hear much of his poetry, to see him perform monologues and snippets of characters at parties and gathers, even been privileged to hear him reading of half finished works while his creative energies were still being channeled, but what I saw tonight was just incredible.

8 distinct characters with lives and stories that seemed to intermingle on stage into a sort of proto-person, encompassing aspects we all have inside of us. Yet as the play closed and he paid homage to each character it felt like I was saying goodbye to friends I’d known all my life. I will admit that on more than one occasion I misted up- which a) for me to do and b) for me to freely admit should speak volumes of what was performed on stage.

From the snotty prep school girl to the old WWII vet finally getting his tribute it was impossible for me not to see myself in everyone of them and feel intimately connected with them. I think my favorite was a five year old boy with an understanding and idea of God and creation that is moving beyond words. I felt inspired.

I would go into more details but I’m tired and my fingers are clumsy. Frankly any attempt to really describe what it was in this format would really sell it short. What I can do is hope and encourage him to perform it again someday. It really was something to see.