The Sheila Variations

Tonight's the Night

So tonight I perform, for the first time, a piece I've written. I am ready to go.

I think about doing it and feel a "squiggle" in my stomach. ("Squiggle" is the term I have used since I was 8 years old, performing in Amahl and the Night Visitors, or some other grade-school production.) The "squiggle" is nerves. The "squiggle" is excitement. I can be quite shy, if you meet me in person, but I am not shy on stage.

The piece I've written has a bit of anticipation attached to it. It has been read by many. It has had a huge impact on many of those who have read it. It is a strong piece, and I have a lot of confidence in it. At least in the writing of it, and how the story is told.

It is called "74 Facts and One Lie". It attempts to tell a very intimate story, but only through stating facts. A long list of facts. Building. One upon the other. So much of life is in-between the facts, so much of history is lost because it is not in the public record. My friend Mitchell called the piece "literary pointillism", and that is a pretty good description, I think. I only give glimpses, little points of information, dot dot dot, leaving the audience to put together the whole. You look at A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and all you are really seeing are a bunch of dots of color. Your eye blends the dots into a whole picture. So that was my goal with this piece. To never tell the story straight out, to let the dots stand as they are. I have forced myself to not interpret, not editorialize, not go off on tangents. Just the facts, ma'am.

I am thrilled to launch this piece in front of an audience. To people who do not know me. I am also excited to do it for the people who DO know me, and who have read the piece on paper, and have heard a ton about my plans for performing it, but have not seen it.

There is a lot of anticipation.

There are many "squiggles".

Posted by sheila