Almost everyone has heard the famed quote, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers," and those who are literate know it is spoken by Blanche DuBois, uttering the immortal line as she is carted off to the mental institution by a gentlemanly doctor in A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams' stage-and-screen classic about a clash of gentility-civility and brute-force directness.
When life is not easy, gentility--basic kindness--is often the first casualty in modern behavior. People jump to what they want, snapping and barking as if the necessity of the moment is of the utmost world importance . . . and I suppose it is, to them. But . . .
When was the last time someone improved a moment in your day just by smiling at you or cracking a joke or doing something quite small that for a moment made you happier, your life a bit easier? When was the last time someone expressed camaraderie, that yes it's all pretty annoying and depressing and yet somehow we're all in it together and that helps? When was the last time that someone, stranger or acquaintance, took a moment to connect with you, not wanting anything other than to connect for that moment, to share a moment's humanity? When was the last time you did the connecting?
Yes, I'm just back from another dental extraction, and yes, woozy no doubt from the anesthesia, and grateful to the excellent (and kind) dentist. And maybe I'll shudder when I read this later, a sentimental "Hallmark" kind of moment. But this is a thought that's been on my mind of late, even when not "under the influence" of various pain pills, etc.: that the way we treat each other in our daily lives IS how we live our lives. The moment extra we take to share kindness, humor, and goodwill costs us absolutely nothing, yet changes the entire quality of life, both for the recipient and the giver.
The holiday season has arrived--hope your Thanksgiving was as nice as mine--and the usual "peace on earth, goodwill to all men" spirit is being revved up at a time when, worldwide, we live in a world without peace and without much positive spirit. If in fact there are constants in the universe of mass and energy, then somewhere, somehow the balance feels off. Taking a moment to be kind, pleasant to someone--that slight extra effort-- is something that has to contribute to putting the world back on track, and it's not something that should only happen between Turkey Day and the day Santa sidles down the tight chimney space. The extra effort to give a giggle, a smile, a moment of genuine self (and selflessness) is worth it, improving at least two lives for a moment. And in this world, that is an accomplishment worth noting.
OF THEATRICAL NOTE
Meanwhile, one of the truly compassionate writer/actor/artists, Harvey Fierstein, is being represented by his great humanistic and comedic gem, TORCH SONG TRILOGY, in a rare New York revival at the Gallery Players in Brooklyn. No doubt it's been a while since you saw it, or perhaps you never did--here's your chance, produced and performed by this always excellent company. Seth Rudetsky, musical personality and radio host, plays Arnold in this engagement, and it should be a terrific time for all.
Torch Song Trilogy runs November 27 through December 10. Performances take place Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM. (Note early curtain time--it IS a trilogy, after all!) Further information can be found at www.galleryplayers.com. Individual tickets for each performance are $18 for Adults and $14 for Children 12 and under and Senior Citizens. Individual tickets can be purchased at www.galleryplayers.com or by calling (212) 352-3101. The Gallery Players is located at 199 14th Street, between 4th and 5th Avenues in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Take the F Train to 4th Avenue or the R Train to 9th Street. The "R" train is easily accessed at the Pacific/Atlantic subway station in Brooklyn which serves the B,D,Q,N,2,3,4 and 5 trains. By car, take the BQE to Hamilton Avenue, and Hamilton Avenue to 14th Street.
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