Little Moments Make the Magic
Posted by Sylvia Ewing on 5/15/2008It’s a gray day as I look out my window, but I feel like the sun is shining on Steppenwolf. I’m excited by the Tony nominations, and though it may sound cheesy, I think the big honors and the national headlines are just part of the story. Here are a few of the little moments that make Steppenwolf a magical place.
I hate to embarrass him, but House Manager Evan Hatfield is a beautiful young man with eyes like a policeman. He’s always watching to see what needs to be done. Last Friday, just before a Traffic performance by at the fantastic Tatsu Aoki and his Miyumi Project, I was moved to see a multigenerational tableau – tall, lean Evan giving his arm to a small, elderly Japanese-American man. The gentleman took his arm with a dignity and comfort that was so natural.
Having Amy Morton say in her deep and throaty voice, “Hi hon,” the last time I saw her in Chicago . . . Watching applause ripple spontaneously down the hall as Tracy Letts walked by after his Pulitzer Prize was announced.
Watching Juan Dies’ eyes light up as he talked about his plans for Friday’s Traffic show. (There will be music, costumes AND giant paper mache heads.)
And listening to Ken Hunter, the principal of Prosser High School, accept his Inspire the Future Award from Steppenwolf for Young Adults by saying, “What we need in schools today is joy, beauty and love…” He thinks that Steppenwolf helps bring these ingredients to his school, and I agree. I hope we bring joy, beauty and love to the world.