In days of yore, I directed, wrote, and was cast in multiple plays, including “Henry V,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Zoo Story.” I was never really into making movies (although I did shoot an amateur short in the mid-90s that I produced and a bunch of video experiments). The theater was it for me. That real-time, live dynamic was something that couldn’t be replicated on the silver screen.
One of the plays I directed in the early 90s is a delightful, fun, and intriguing one-act piece written by John Guare—a prominent American playwright renowned for his distinctive blend of comedy, drama, and absurdity. Guare rose to prominence in the 1960s. He is best known for his play "Six Degrees of Separation," which explores the interconnectedness of human relationships and was adapted into a successful film. Guare's works often delve into themes of alienation, reality versus illusion, and the search for identity within the complexities of modern society. His style is noted for its clever dialogue, imaginative storytelling, and the ability to balance humor with poignant observations on the human condition.
The play I worked on is titled "The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year.1" It opens in a seemingly ordinary park setting, a place that becomes the backdrop for a series of extraordinary events. There are two characters in the play—He and She. He is a man who finds himself in a peculiar situation: he is repeatedly attacked by a dog in the park. This unusual predicament catches the attention of She, a woman who frequents the same park.
As the play unfolds, the interactions between He and She evolve from casual observations to a deeper, more introspective dialogue. Their conversations, marked by Guare's signature style of dark humor and absurdity, explore themes such as loneliness, the desire for connection, and the quest for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.
He, initially presented as a somewhat passive character, gradually reveals more about his life and thoughts, showing a depth that wasn't apparent at first. His encounters with the dog, initially seen as random acts of aggression, begin to take on a symbolic meaning, representing the unexpected and often unexplainable nature of life's challenges.
She, on the other hand, is drawn to the bizarre nature of He's experiences. Her curiosity about his encounters with the dog opens up a space for her to reflect on her own life and experiences. She's character develops from a mere observer to someone deeply engaged in the existential conversation, revealing her own vulnerabilities and desires.
The dialogue between He and She oscillates between the real and the surreal, inviting the audience to question the nature of reality and the constructs of societal norms. The park, a common place for leisure and escape, becomes a metaphorical crossroads where two disparate lives intersect, leading to a profound exploration of human connection. As the play progresses, the relationship between He and She evolves from strangers to confidantes. Their conversations, though laced with absurdity, resonate with a sense of poignancy and truth as they navigate the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
"The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year" ultimately serves as a microcosm of life's unpredictability and the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected encounters. Guare's play, through its unique blend of humor, absurdity, and depth, leaves the audience contemplating the intricacies of human connections and the myriad ways in which others can touch our lives.
The play was adapted into an opera in 2013… https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5370f6b0e4b0ca92e926e53a/t/55bffb08e4b05af69cbacbd5/1438645000792/LoveliestAfternoon_excerpt.pdf