Sunday, December 23, features the last two performances this year of “A Carol for Cleveland” at the Cleveland Play House. I’ve been thrilled with the new appearance of all 27 books I’ve written, but I’ve never been quite so jazzed as seeing one of them adapted so brilliantly by playwright Eric Coble and having its world premiere at the oldest professional repertory theater company in the United States. I’ve seen it many times. now (not counting rehearsals)—from a private box with my 4 year old grandson Parker (who didn’t make a sound), from the second row center, from the back row of the orchestra, from over on the right side—and it overwhelms me anew each time. That’s how good I think it is—and I take very little credit for its BEING that good.
And each time I cry at the end. Yeah, I know–I’m supposed to be a hardboiled type who only cries when the Browns lose. But what the gifted Eric Coble added to my 32-page story to make it an entire evening’s entertainment, and the twist at the last moment that STILL takes me by surprise every time, really grabs me by the heart. The Play House has advertised this show as “BY Clevelanders, FOR Clevelanders, and ABOUT Clevelanders.” Those of you who love this city like Eric and I do will resonate at what’s up there on stage.
So as we say goodbye to “A Carol” for this Christmas, 2012, I want to seize this opportunity to thank everyone. To Michael Bloom, Artistic Director of the Play House, for getting the idea to do this play (actually it was his wife’s suggestion, and bless her for that!), and who put it together so creatively and saw it through. To Laura Kepley, the director, who made every single moment shine, whether you laughed or cried or were startled, and found depths in the story I didn’t even know existed. To a wonderful cast—every one of them are absolutely terrific—who make my words, written 21 years ago, spring to vital life in front of me.
And a special thanks to Eric Coble. We’re often asked how it was “working together.” The answer is, we DIDN’T. I knew Eric would have to enhance the story in many different ways, and I chose to step back and let him do it. (I couldn’t imagine peering over his shoulder as he tried to write, and I sure wouldn’t ever let anyone peer over MINE.) He accomplished it more wonderfully than I ever could have imagined. This is HIS play; words I wrote pop up a lot, and I get a charge out of hearing them from great actors. But it was Eric Coble who built a bittersweet, tough-tender palace of good feeling on the foundation I laid.
Thanks, too, to all of you who came down to the Play House to see a performance. (Isn’t the Allen Theater beautiful? And there isn’t a bad seat in the house, either.) So MANY of my friends have enjoyed it, and emailed or messaged or called me to say how much they loved the play. I hope you all laughed, I hope you cheered, I hope you had a good time—and I hoped you shed a happy tear or two at the end. I have done so already—and I’ll definitely do it again at the last performance on 12/23—and not just because the end is emotionally touching. I’m going to miss this experience more than I realized. Its creation and production is the best Christmas present I ever received.
Happy Holidays!!!!
Les,
Was at the 7:30 p.m. performance this evening. It was great! My wife and I really enjoyed ourselves. Eric (& co.) did a very nice job.
Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Les,
A couple of friends and I braved the storm Friday night to go see it. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Jane
Hi Les.
My mother and I were thrilled with our experience at the Hanna theater, feeling honored to share A Carol For Cleveland’s opening night with you and dear Holly. In fact, my mother was still soaring in her giddy “high” for several days after, telling anyone who’d listen about the special evening’s entertainment. This would include sharing her story with an unknown woman she found cheerfully standing beside a Salvation Army red kettle just outside the local Heinen’s, ringing that familiar bell that beckons. That “red kettle” woman listened attentively to my mother, and as it turned out, confessed that she was already quite fond of your writing talent, having read many of your books (but not that particular novella as yet).
I found the play to be well written and visually appealing (due to ingenious simplicity). It featured a gamut of characters and emotions; individuals and feelings everyone can identify with, not just nostalgic Clevelanders. There was romantic sweetness, innocent charm, pressing guilt, paranoid angst, bitter disappointment, crushing despair, true confessions and hopeful dreams, to name but a few heart tugging connections therein. Yes, there were tears shed that equaled the chuckles. At the play’s end, I was eager to read — or should I say “scour through” — your novella (from which it was based upon), just to make comparisons.
How wonderful that your short story was revisited on stage — and in such a delightful way!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the play’s arrangement/production and your overall viewing experience. You are obviously touched deeply by it all. You wrote that “it was the best Christmas present I ever received.” Well, perhaps, just perhaps…, it may also be considered the best Christmas present you ever gave.
Bravo and a boisterous applause, Les Roberts!
(The same goes for Michael Bloom, Laura Kepley, Eric Coble, and of course, the entire production team and cast ensemble. Well done, everyone!
-Victoria H.
(With a gracious and humble thank you.)