Hello! Shannon the playwright here. I was singing the old Johnny Cash song this morning, or well I guess Johnny Cash song as I’m fairly certain there aren’t any new Johnny Cash songs. “I don’t like it but I guess things happen that way.” Then it segued into Tom Petty, my lifelong guru. “I DON’T LIKE IT!” Shout-singing Tom Petty at nine a.m. in your front yard in a questionable outfit doesn’t even feel daring any more. Truth is… we’re in the upside down.
I’m not here to get political. I have a front porch chat with my cats most mornings. That’s where I really get into it. I suspect Cheddar is a Libertarian, but he’s not saying. I am just here to let you all know that I think you are beautiful and I hope that you’re okay. In the deepest way. We’re all frightened. By a virus. By the dominoes that keep falling because of it. It’s a terrifying, threatening and fearful thing. I won’t minimize the night terrors or the uncertianty or the endless ‘what am I going to do if’s… I’m feeling them too.
But I’m still writing. Naomi’s still dancing. I mean, look at her Facebook. The woman is everywhere. Alone. In rubber gloves. But everywhere. I get up and go on my morning walk, and I’m plotting. I eat my oatmeal with their friendly blueberries, I’m chuckling to myself. I sit under our Covid Pagoda and I… am probably having a drink. And yes, that’s okay. I don’t consciously know that we’re going to be okay, but some times the universe whispers to me, and I have to believe her. She’s telling me that we’re all going to make it better together.
Life brings the pain. Now, it’s unprecedented. I’m so sorry you’re hurting. And I know it won’t be immediate. We’ll have to crawl out of our dens slowly, and acknowledge the things that didn’t work, and take the hits and find a way to smile and come back to the fire. A friend will be waiting with a shoulder and a Moscow Mule, if they’re any kind of friend at all. Things will change, and hopefully our new awareness of how fragile we all are will be the light we take with us to make it better. We are meant to be together. To take care of each other. To laugh, and sing again.
And when the doors to the theater open again, we’ll be waiting for you. Rogues, maidens, princes and one very saucy dame will welcome you back. To stay awhile and let us entertain you. Our community. Our people.
Much love and hope to see you all soon.
Shannon
PA Panto 