Comments on: The Bottomless Well http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2008/03/14/the-bottomless-well/ Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:40:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Cassie S http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2008/03/14/the-bottomless-well/#comment-334 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:36:21 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2008/03/14/the-bottomless-well/#comment-334 Your blog made me think that the music in this play can be seen as more than a theme or a conduit for emotions - it is almost a character in itself. The respect and reverence Oriole feels for this character surpasses what he feels for all others. He already had music before Eunice, but he couldn't have had Eunice without music. Oriole and Eunice are undeniably drawn to each other (and the characters are electrifying on stage), but I don't know that he "loves" her. If it's (to quote Joni Mitchell) the "moons and Junes and ferris wheels, that dizzy dancing way you feel" kind of love, then perhaps. But a deep, lasting love between these two characters is inherently complex as they are both so deeply wounded. What makes him think it could work? I think he knows it likely won't. His own words indicate this...plus he has life experience, a support network, intelligence, and talent to direct him. Why would he want to self-destruct given all this? Hubris --in Oriole's case, encouraged by a healthy dose of narcissism and an overblown ego--leading to downfall is a pattern that plays out over and over again (this week's media example of #9, who helped create the very system that implicated him, is also someone who must have wanted to get caught, at least inadvertently). The underlying reasons - though often well-hidden - are usually there. For you, Mr. Simonson, and the entire cast - thank you for making us think about these issues (and many more) with the harmony and discord you bring to the stage every night. Your blog made me think that the music in this play can be seen as more than a theme or a conduit for emotions - it is almost a character in itself. The respect and reverence Oriole feels for this character surpasses what he feels for all others. He already had music before Eunice, but he couldn’t have had Eunice without music.

Oriole and Eunice are undeniably drawn to each other (and the characters are electrifying on stage), but I don’t know that he “loves” her. If it’s (to quote Joni Mitchell) the “moons and Junes and ferris wheels, that dizzy dancing way you feel” kind of love, then perhaps. But a deep, lasting love between these two characters is inherently complex as they are both so deeply wounded.

What makes him think it could work? I think he knows it likely won’t. His own words indicate this…plus he has life experience, a support network, intelligence, and talent to direct him. Why would he want to self-destruct given all this? Hubris –in Oriole’s case, encouraged by a healthy dose of narcissism and an overblown ego–leading to downfall is a pattern that plays out over and over again (this week’s media example of #9, who helped create the very system that implicated him, is also someone who must have wanted to get caught, at least inadvertently). The underlying reasons - though often well-hidden - are usually there.

For you, Mr. Simonson, and the entire cast - thank you for making us think about these issues (and many more) with the harmony and discord you bring to the stage every night.

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