Houses have been damaged; lives have been lost; trees have fallen; streets have flooded. We must now begin the process of repairing all that was destroyed as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Although these disasters certainly take precedence in our minds, we must also consider the more subtle effects that the hurricane has had–particularly those relating to arts and culture.
Here are some of the many Arts & Culture events that have been cancelled or rescheduled due to this unfortunate circumstance:
- Supermodel Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween party– canceled with promises of a “haunted Christmas” instead
- The 2012 New York City Marathon– canceled Friday afternoon to the dismay of some and to the joy of others
- Google’s Android event, at which the company planned to unveil several new Android products
- Preview performances of Dead Accounts, a new Broadway show starring Katie Holmes and Norbert Leo Butz*
And most importantly (at least to Hewitt students)…
- The Upper School’s production of Mother Courage and Her Children.
Unfortunately, Mother Courage, which was supposed to be performed on November 1 and 2, was postponed until this coming Wednesday and Thursday (November 7 and 8). Hewitt actresses and techies have attended impromptu rehearsals since Sunday. Cast member Ahmerie Shihade ’13 gave her input on the postponed play, stating:
“Sandy has taken its toll on the cast and even prevented me personally from attending this past Sunday’s extra rehearsal due to transit issues, but resilient as ever, we are bouncing back. As a line from the play goes, ‘Whatever life has not died out/ Staggers to its feet again!’”
Hopefully, the other affected events will follow the lead of the perseverant Mother Courage cast and crew and reschedule.
* = a favorite actor of mine, who earned a Tony nomination for his performance as Fiyero in Wicked