By Lacey Luce
“A Chorus Line” opens at the Garden Theater on Thursday, and I’m not sure I can adequately express how furiously happy this makes me.
Once upon a time, when I was a high school junior, I auditioned for and got into a theater program. Unlike most of my fellow thespians, I had never been in a play and had taken no classes in acting, dance, or singing. Most of these wunderkinds were local stage veterans and had known each other for years. I was an outsider, but they welcomed and accepted me almost immediately. I had finally found my tribe.
It was during these formative years that I first saw “A Chorus Line.” At that time in my life, it was the story of my people. From the humiliation of failed auditions, to struggling to actually “get” method acting, to the feeling of being an outsider, every character’s story resonated on some level.
Even if you aren’t a recovering theater geek, “A Chorus Line” is a timeless musical and I cannot wait to see it this weekend.
I don’t understand this, but apparently not everyone loves a musical. No worries. There are plenty of other adventures to be had this weekend.
This Friday is a Franklinton Friday. Every second Friday of the month the galleries, businesses, and collectives of east Franklinton host an art crawl. If you haven’t checked out what’s going on in this exciting new arts district, now’s your chance. The Franklinton Fridays Facebook page has a full list of events. Go. Explore.
P.S. I feel the need to throw out an unsolicited plug for Strongwater—after all what’s an art crawl without food and libations. I enjoyed my first visit not long ago and cannot wait to go back.
Saturday brings the Moonlight Market on Gay Street. It’s shopping but better. Brick-and-mortar shops stay open later, vendors and street performers line the sidewalks, and local restaurant patios fill up with raucous revelers.
Feeling like a movie? The Gateway Film Center has a great range of mainstream and not-so-mainstream movies—I’m just going to throw this out there: zombie beavers. As an added bonus, their gallery currently has an exhibition of new, film-inspired work by Adam Brouillette.
Need something else to feed your soul? Hammond Harkins Galleries has a group exhibition inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s Paris memoir, “A Moveable Feast.”
Finally, few gentle reminders for you: This is the last weekend to see Hassan Hajjaj: My Rock Stars Experimental, Volume I, 2012 and Fiber: Sculpture 1960-present at the Wexner Center for the Arts. These are the kind of shows that you will kick yourself later for missing.
Enjoy your weekend. I know I will.
Lacey Luce is the marketing, communications and events strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
