The Busy World is Hushed

February 8th, 2007
Skirball Center
play by Keith Bunin

I bought the tickets because it was Jill Clayburgh. She's a wonderful actress, and I figured, how often will I get the chance to see her live?
The other two actors, Hamish Linklater from "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (he plays Christine's brother) and Luke MacFarlane (recurring character on TV's "Brothers & Sisters"), were so well-cast.

Imagine an airy open theatre full of chairs, a small vestigial stage, microphones, and actors wearing headsets, and a Foley artist set-up off stage where all the sound effects (opening/shutting doors, clinking glasses, etc) is created live. It was a new experience for us. I thought I wouldn't be able to get sucked into the play without sets, costumes, props, movement, etc. I was wrong.

Imagine a very unconventional widowed Episcopal Minister (Jill Clayburgh) who hires a young writer (Hamish Linklater) to help her with a scholarly work about a newly discovered biblical gospel. Imagine this young man's life is in turmoil, with his father suffering a brain tumor. Oh, and he's gay. Imagine Hannah (Jill) has an estranged gay son who disappears for years at a time. The emotional struggle between the three unfolds as they all grapple with what they believe about life and death and faith.

Hamish said something very profound that stayed with me. I'll try to quote it as best I can remember. Loosely paraphrasing : "I look around and all I can see is the emptiness of where god should be, but is not. And I'm not sure if that void is the end of my faith, or the beginning."

I was very moved by the play. The writing was wonderful, and it was a rare opportunity to see it with the original cast.

"A complex, thought-provoking look at why religion, faith, and the human heart can't always be reconciled." (Hollywood Reporter)

Oh, and guess who was in the audience with us? *Michael Emerson* (Ben) from LOST. He looked much better after his spinal surgery (wink).

I will likely buy this play on CD once LA Theatre Works releases the performance.
Wish all theatre could be this emotionally satisfying. It was our first visit to The Skirball Center. We'll be returning soon.