2010.09.21
Studio Roanoke’s “Living Between the Lines” resumes tomorrow
A scene from a rehearsal for Studio Roanoke's 'Living Between the Lines'
With its next production, the small studio on Campbell Avenue is stretching in a different direction. For one thing, “Living Between the Lines” is family friendly. As artistic director Kenley Smith puts it, “If you want to bring the kids, this is the one.”
Commissioned by Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley, “Living Between the Lines” was written by Todd Ristau and his wife, Joan Ruelle, to address adult illiteracy. Ristau, director of the Playwright’s Lab at Hollins University, is also the former artistic director of Studio Roanoke. Ruelle is a librarian at the university.
The play recounts the tale of a factory worker who has built a decent life for himself despite being functionally illiterate. He’s kept his inability to read hidden from his co-workers, but faces a humiliating dilemma when he’s offered a promotion that will expose his problem if he accepts it.
When: This coming Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Studio Roanoke, 30 Campbell Ave., SW, Roanoke
Tickets: $20; advance, $15; $12 for seniors, students and active military
Info: 343-3054; www.studioroanoke.org
Thanks for this information, Mike! In case anyone is debating about whether to see the play or not, I wanted to offer…
Top Ten Reasons to See “Living Between the Lines”
10. You have always wondered about a set design that is a ‘cross between James Thurber and Edward Gorey” or scene changes that are like “the turning of a book page.” (Trust me…very cool.)
9. You have been meaning to check out Studio Roanoke and support a local theater that specializes in new works.
8. Your friends are talking about it and you HATE when they have been to something you haven’t.
7. You have seen one of the outstanding cast members in another production, seen another play directed by Patrick Kennerly, designed by Blue Herbert or written by Todd Ristau/Joan Ruelle or all of the above…and you know how talented he/she/they are.
6. Kenley Smith wants you to.
5. You know someone who struggles to read and write, and this play might help you better understand his/her experience.
4. Bring the whole family…there is no gratuitous sex or violence (…or, um, any sex or violence at all)
3. You know about the Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley, the group who commissioned the play from Ristau/Ruelle, and you think they do important work.
2. You are a literacy tutor and this play will have special meaning for you.
1. You can read this top ten list…and there are people who live in our community who cannot
Comment by Molly Bell — September 21, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
[...] for Roanoke Valley (and also marketing services manager for this newspaper) left the following entertaining and creative comment on my previous post about Studio Roanoke’s “Living Between the Lines,” which [...]
Pingback by Arts & Extras: Regional arts community information and its quirky culture – roanoke.com » Top 10 Reasons to See “Living Between the Lines” at Studio Roanoke — September 21, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
Mike, thanks so much for raising this topic for discussion. The column by Gene Weingarten in Sunday’s Washington Post, headlined “Goodbye, cruel words: English. It’s dead to me,” spoke to me in a sad, sad way.
Our language is a tool for communication. When words are misspelled or grammar is not observed, it’s as if we were trying to operate a machine whose nuts and bolts weren’t tightened properly. I see that all too often.
As you and your colleagues know, credibility is compromised when we misuse our language.
Comment by Beth Handley — September 21, 2010 @ 1:43 pm