originally published: 02/14/2022
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Black Box PAC's 2022 Save Our Stages season continues with the NJ Premiere of Ode to Joy by Craig Lucas from February 10-27. Courtesy of the renowned author of Prelude to a Kiss and Reckless (and currently premereing the new play Change Agent at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage) Ode to Joy is the hysterically funny and shockingly poignant story of Adele, a painter, looking back on the two tumultuous loves of her life. In this, she discovers both the limits of her powers and the true depths of her gifts.
This production features the talents of Danielle MacMath, Sean Mannix (Winner of 2021 BroadwayWorldNJ Award - Best Supporting Actor in a Play), and Ilana Schimmel. Matt Okin serves as Director, with Michael Gardiner as Assistant Director. Tickets are now on sale at www.BlackBoxPAC.com
Black Box Performing Arts Center (BBPAC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is honored to produce this hilarious and emotional piece. The production team was grateful to be in touch with Mr. Lucas and to discuss the play with him in a Q&A session:
BBPAC: What was your inspiration for writing Ode to Joy?
Being an artist who believed for so long that my authenticity and aliveness was tied to my use of intoxicants created a whirl of longterm consequences. The process of taking hold of one’s life, of cleaning up the messes and becoming good for one’s word seemed like an inherently dramatic and purposive endeavor.
Ode to Joy premiered in 2014 - what resonance does this piece have in 2022?
Well, I think we’re all waking up from an intoxicated hangover caused by national blame and self-deception and a lot of verbal as well as physical violence perpetrated on ourselves and those nearest and dearest to us. This was modeled on the national stage by the most immature, dishonest leader we’ve had in my lifetime, and we all participated in it as in a drunken orgy. So I suppose that’s what I think concentrates our focus now: how do we restore integrity to a society torn apart by deceit and blame and self-abuse?
Ode to Joy is told through the eyes of Adele: is Adele a "reliable" narrator?
No one is a reliable narrator. We are all living in a subjective hall of mirrors. The best we can do is describe what we see and accept that there will be change, always change. That is the only unchangeable thing—the permanence of change. There is no steady ground under our feet other than the compassion and love we can show each other and ourselves. We can rely on our intentions to honor that, which ultimately Adele accepts.
What do you hope audiences will take away from Ode to Joy?
Each and every moment is an opportunity to wake up to the beauty of our existence and become good for one’s word and respectful of the gifts we’ve been given.
Ode to Joy follows Black Box PAC's encore presentation of Eric Bogosian's 1+1, Neil Labute's Ten x Ten, and short works by John Guare and Caridad Svich. Also slated for this season is a play by legendary filmmaker Paul Schrader.
Black Box Performing Arts Center (BBPAC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in Teaneck 2015 and relocated to 49 East Palisade Avenue in Englewood in 2019, and Black Box Studios (BBS), which has operated in Bergen County since 2007, together form Northern NJ’s premiere theater and performing arts school combo. BBPAC is a working professional theater run by The Black Box Rep Company, a group of collaborative artists engaging in collaborative, cutting-edge theater. The tight-knit community self-generates full seasons of cutting edge theater, reviving classics both old and newer, while also developing original works for the intimate stage. Many of these professionals double as teaching artists for Black Box Studios, running classes and workshops at the theater and at various schools and organizations in the area, for students currently ranging in age from 9 to 81. Our team is also focused on presenting other art forms within the space, such as comedy and music, as we host the emergence of a new and unique artistic community.
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