The Chan theater presented the musical of “The Plague” this evening and, as my friend Alona noted – the theater was filled with aging Ashkenazis. I went with my friend Nili who goes to everything and usually finds much good to say about every play, but was hard put to defend this one. I mean the acting was superb, the staging was remarkable, and the coordination was great. But the play has no plot, and tells the story of the discovery of the plague, its duration, and its end. There’s too much in it that we already know and we’re too involved in that to understand the philosophical significance of the delicacy of ‘normality’.
The theater was impressive, but I find it depressing to go to a play and not be able to chat with friends – primarily because I can’t see who they are.
Dear Karen,
I just wanted to check in and say I hope things are well with you and your family . So glad that Tel Aviv Diary continues.. For twenty years it’s been and continues to be a wonderful document about the times we are living through. I have been reading and enjoying your writings for years.
Didn’t know there is a musical of The Plague. Would this be Albert Camus’ play? I read it last year and posted my thoughts on my book blog Reading Matters . It was on my reading list prior to the pandemic and then when the pandemic happened I had to read it. I much preferred The Plague to Camus’ The Stranger. Mersault the main character in the Stranger is a very odd and disturbing character. The doctor in the Plague in comparison a very good man and selfless as he wears himself out treating people affected by the virus.
I thought when I began reading The Plague that I would see more similarities in the book with what is happening now with the coronavirus But in the novel, the city of Oran understands the seriousness of the virus. They pull together and show courage and today many countries are taking the virus seriously. I don’t have to tell you the ludicrous situation here in the US with the anti-vaxers and conspiracy theories run amok. Camus would have been shocked but Sinclair Lewis would have seen this coming. But I made sure I got my vaccine and booster.
Finally in these tense times might I recommend Louise Penny’s wonderful mystery series set in Three Pines Quebec. The first novel in the series is Still Life and my friend Iris introduced me to this series and I’m hooked.
All the best.
Kathy Vullis
Great to hear from you Kathy. Yes, the musical was based on Camus – but took all the seriousness out of it. Some people made money, some lost love, and then it was over and everything went back to normal. I can’t remember Camus but I am sure it was about the basic uncertainty of life. Do you live in New York? I’m hoping we’re going to get there in May! warmly, Karen
Hi Karen, I don’t live in New York anymore. I wish I did but ten years ago I had to move to Florida due to family issues and family and finances keep me here but I live in Broward County, near Ft Lauderdale and it’s a more cosmopolitan part of Florida but nothing beats NYC. I knew that even when I left and I hope you do get to New York and everything is opened up again and I hope you have a great time.
All the best
Kathy