So last night I got invited out to New York City to see Hudson Valley Shakespeare rehearsals. I greatly appreciate the invitation and the recognition, but I do not lead the kind of life that lends itself to spontaneous weekend trips to a different state. Fair enough – somebody asked me if I’d been out to Western Massachusetts to see Shakespeare and Company. And, well…no. I have, however, driven (with just wife, not kids) over 2 hours up into Vermont I think it was to see my first live King Lear performance. And last summer we made a family trip – one night only! – to see a special children’s version of The Tempest on Cape Cod(*). Other than that I think the farthest we went was our trip to see the Rebels in Salem (Salem, was it?) which is surprisingly close to an hour drive, I had no idea it was that long. Personally, I’d happily become the sort of guy who takes a quick trip out to the Berkshires or to New York City to catch a show, if I were a single man. But family obligations do count for something, and for any Shakespeare I do have to ask myself whether the whole family can make it, or if not the kids then at least the wife, otherwise that trip isn’t even business, it’s Daddy going off on vacation by himself, and that’s not really cool. So, since I haven’t written much this week, I thought that might make an interesting topic for discussion. How far are you willing to travel for your Shakespeare? What variables factor into the decision? Would you plan a vacation around a show? Would you plan a vacation *specifically for* a show? Would you get on a train, or a plane? Would you could you with a goat? Or do you not? Do you content yourself with whatever show rolls through town? (*) By the way that summer trip last year was so well received by everybody that my wife has even said she’d be open to doing another one this summer. Alas, that troupe is not performing this season. So if anybody knows a good kid-friendly production happening this summer in the New England area, I’m all ears!
