We Fly Away
Posted by Monette Magrath on October 14th, 2007 Cornel West with the Stick Fly company |
In the theatre, every story is a love story; the key is discovering where that love resides. In Stick Fly, every character needs to be seen—surely the first step to love. The desire to be recognized and acknowledged in this story is sometimes strong and demanding, sometimes broken and messy. But, to love one’s self enough to ask to be seen, is to claim one’s dignity.
And so, to honor the journey we have all taken these past ten weeks, I wanted this final post to be from those who have brought you this show each night.
Here are their closing thoughts on our Stick Fly experience:
- “My first car was a piece of crap with a clutch in it. I had to get my prom date to help ‘kick it off’ while I pushed it out of the gas station. Since then I can appreciate riding in style and knowing that reaching your destination is possible. Stick Fly is the answer to my prayers. The staff at McCarter, Lydia Diamond, Shirley Jo Finney, the volunteers, and the crew have made this the Bentley of my life.” - Kevin Carroll “Kent LeVay (Spoon)”
- “Every now and then there comes a gem more precious than the actual stone. Such is Stick Fly…a play, a moment in time, an experience far greater than the stage that will forever travel with me on this journey called life. Thanks to the playwright, director, cast, and McCarter staff…closing night is truly the official opening to new friendships, bonds of humanity, trust, support, and creative spice.” - Javon Johnson “Flip LeVay”
- “The play offstage and the one onstage mix in the women’s dressing room. We have made the best of friends and I am ever grateful for this play in my life. The cast, crew, and bugs all have made us a buzzing success.” - Julia Pace Mitchell “Cheryl Washington”
- “Doing Stick Fly has been a ‘glorious’ and wonderful experience. I will be forever in love with my cast and director and writer and the McCarter staff and crew…” - John Wesley “Joseph LeVay”
- “Stick Fly is an experience that I will always cherish. When I think of all of the plays I’ve been in, this role and this amazing cast, is one that will forever hold at the top of my list. Every now and then you meet a cast and build a family that will truly continue to be a part of your life—this is one of them. I love you all!!!” - Michole Briana White “Taylor Bradley Scott”
- “What a rare and wonderful experience it has been to enjoy every day of work for 6 weeks. Who gets to say that? Stick Fly has been one such gift of an experience.” - Lindsey Barnes – Wardrobe & Wig Supervisor
- “I remember being nervous before the first day of rehearsal, this being the first show of my intern year at McCarter. But the meet and greet for this show set the tone for the rest of the run. I’ve never had a first day of rehearsal with music and dancing. I have never felt so welcome and included working on a show. I never thought that as an intern, I would be asked by the director during table work to share my feelings and reactions to the play. I have never worked on a show that had standing ovations every night. And I have never been so sad to say goodbye to such a warm and fun cast. I couldn’t have asked for a better first show at McCarter.” - Heather Klein, Stage Management Intern
- “From my booth in the back of the theater I have had the joy of watching 42 amazing performances and 42 standing ovations for this impeccable set of actors. And these ovations extend to the entire McCarter Staff and Creative Team of Stick Fly. But my greatest satisfaction is that we are reaching the community with this important piece of work. If we can touch only one person’s life in an entire audience, all the work is worth it. The magic is, we have touched thousands, and it is making all of us think.” - Cheryl Mintz – Production Stage Manager / Resident Stage Manager
Taking in the feelings and remembrances shared above, I’ll close with my message to every person who was a part of Stick Fly:
You are seen.
You are loved.
See also:
Posted by Monette Magrath, “Kimber Davies” in McCarter Theatre’s production of Stick Fly.
2 Responses to “We Fly Away”
October 18th, 2007 at 11:10 am
This warm, heartfelt, and beautiful post is a true testament to the incredible people who created and embodied this show. It was such a blessing and a pleasure for me to be involved with this production and to get to meet each and every one of these wonderful people. Thank you for your smiles, kind words, open hearts, and positive energy. I will miss you all! Come back to McCarter soon. Much love.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I just wanted to make a general “citizen’s comment” about STICK FLY. I LOVED this play!! It was so intelligent, complex, layered, hilarious, poignant—completely engaging from the first line to the last. The entire cast was superb, giving nuanced performances and working beautifully together. Great set, too! I have been a subscriber since 2001, and this play was definitely one of my all-time favorites. I’m dying to see more of Lydia Diamond’s work–if possible, with some of the same very fine actors—and hope McCarter will oblige!