I just got in from seeing Live Theatre Workshop's production of Paula Vogel's "The Baltimore Waltz". I have mixed feelings about Vogel's work (she also wrote "How I Learned to Drive") because it's kind of masturbatory and pretentious. Overall, the production was decent and worth the $10 admission price.

Aside from some odd lighting shifts and one irritating costume SNAFU (why would you put a caucasian actor in an all-white costume and let him wear black chonis?), the technical aspects of the show were well put together. The directing was a little heavy-handed in spots and confusing in others. LTW is a pretty intimate space, which to me is an actor's dream because it allows for more subtlety. There were definitely places where I had to hold myself back from shouting back at the actors to tone it down. Still, there was certainly more nuance than I expected, and Vogel has an ear for comedy, so it was easily overlooked.

The story is a sort of "what if?" premise. Vogel wrote the play shortly after her brother died on AIDS-related illness in 1988. Two years earlier, he had invited her to tour Europe with him without telling her he was HIV positive. She didn't take the trip with him and was devastated when he died not long after. "The Baltimore Waltz" is Paula Vogel's ode to her deceased brother, and is a semi-autobiographical rewriting of the playwright's own personal history. It's definitely a bittersweet story but they thankfully avoided treking into the realm of the maudlin (for the most part). Defintitely made me think of my relationship with my sister and how close we used to be. And I suppose that's one of the strengths of live theatre: being reminded of how we're connected and human.

It was good to go to the theatre. I haven't been in a long time. I should do it more often. That degree in Drama that I earned ought to be good for something besides decoration on my wall. I'm also glad that I went out on a Friday night.

All in all, a satisfying way to start my weekend.