From the sheer joy of watching the acrobatic prowess of David Ivers & Brian Vaughn in “39 Steps” to the anger triggered by the treatment of Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice,” this year’s USF experience was exceptional.
Besides the extremes of such emotions came the ingenious pairing of battling couples — Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice,” and Beatrice and Benedict in “Much Ado About Nothing” — who confront a dire family problem, which brings them together, permanently we all hope.
Rounding out the performances were the best “Macbeth” ever and a remarkable premier of the musical of Charles Dicken’s “Great Expectations.”
Nonetheless, the theater experience is just a part of the USF happening.
Developing and deepening friendships and family ties on the balcony, the display of gaudy Western gear at the Bard-que, Ace’s superb seminars under the Cedar trees, the back-stage and props seminars, lunch in Scott’s backyard with David and Brian and the always remarkable Fred Adams, the bad poems, even badder judges, rather neat costumes — tell me, what can top all this?
Thanks to all Balcony Bards for making this the perfect mix of intellectual challenge, aesthetic stimulation, personal connection and natural beauty.
As we always say to one another at the end of the time together, “The best ever!”