HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET

The last semester I attended CCC I took the class "Reviewing the Arts" which was taught by Ms. Mara Tapp (think NPR, Chicago Reader, among others). I have always tired to eliminate the teacher student hierarchy relationship trap with those whom I have genuine respect for. You already know Ms. Tapp is one of those teachers. Though we never socialized while I was in her class (this is starting to sound weird), since then we have had great conversations though email. Last night we went to see Guantanamo, a Timeline Theater production, performed in a hall behind a church up near Belmont & Clark. The location, title and obvious subject of the piece had already set the tone, but nothing prepared me for what I was to see. This unfortunately is good and bad. The space denotes the stage running through the center of the hall, placing the audience either side. This allows the audience to slip into a more engrossing observer experience as well as becoming more higher tuned of your own presence. The play itself was very well written, telling the actual story of 4 detainees through the individuals, their families, legal help and Donald Rumsfeld. Not to spoil anything...the first act last around 90 minutes, which pulls you in further, making you feel the stiffness of the room and stopping you from escaping the emotion of the actors. Don't go back for the second act...it adds nothing and last only 20 minutes. I wonder why they included it!