Blackbird

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We were supposed to see Blackbird about four weeks ago and last night we finally got our chance.  Another winner for Manhattan Theater Club. 

I have been a Jeff Daniels fan for as long as I can remember.  He is an incredible talent from acting to singing to writing to producing and also gives back to his community of artists by helping young artists.  So, needless to say, I was thrilled to see him perform on stage. 

The show is intense.  Jeff Daniels portrays a middle aged man who has settled into his company life and a visitor stops in one day who happens to be the young woman who he molested when she was 12 and he was 40.  Fifteen years have passed.  The victim, played by Alison Pill is also fantastic.  As the play unfolds, we learn about what happened from both perspectives.  The end takes an interesting twist that leaves the audience wondering.  Just to get up on stage and perform such an intense play each evening has got to be exhausting.  Jeff Daniels and Alison Pill looked fried when they came out for their bow.

Very interesting subject matter.  Really stuck with me.  How something awful happens to 2 people from different perspectives and the pain that lingers or doesn’t linger for each individual afterward.  Sexual abuse on a minor takes its toll in a variety of different ways.  A real Wow.