Local theatre group presents COVID Monologues

The pandemic has made many activities difficult or impossible, and the performing arts are no exception. Because of health threats posed by traditional performances, organizations have had to find new approaches. Boston Lyric Opera, for example, has created a mobile stage in a 26-foot trailer that moves around Boston presenting small cast, open air performances.

Julie Goodrich

Locally, the Milton Players, which originated in Milton 89 years ago and is now based in Canton, found a solution to that actor’s itch to perform that couldn’t be scratched during the height of the pandemic. Instead of mounting a performance in person on their home stage at Brayton Auditorium at Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, the group has completed a video production of The COVID Monologues: Pondering the Pandemic, an ensemble-written and acted piece.

Julie Goodrich, an emergency room nurse at an area hospital, is the producer. She explained that, like other Milton Players members, she had been “looking for things to do.” She came up with the idea of inviting people to submit COVID-related monologues. After getting approval from the Milton Players’ board of directors in March, she reached out via Facebook, with the goal of creating snippets to post on social media.

Fourteen people submitted monologues. Goodrich was impressed with the results: “They all had their own merit,” she said.

She decided to create a more ambitious piece, first asking the writers whether they wanted to perform their pieces. Most did, but a few preferred anonymity, so she put out a call for additional actors. More people got involved, including some from Canton Community Theater. Goodrich also secured Richard Alvin White as director. After considering the overall structure, Goodrich and White wrote four additional monologues to make the material “a bit more hopeful and uplifting.”

Each of the 18 actors had one or two virtual rehearsal sessions with White. Goodrich said that if it was not already specified, the actors decided who the monologue would be spoken to and what the setting was. The pieces vary slightly in length, but all are about five to seven minutes long; the total length of the production is one hour and 27 minutes.

Among the cast members of The COVID Monologues are Canton residents Aoife Barrington-Haber, Goodrich, and Brian and Susan Vogel.

Milton Access TV came on board for filming and putting all the pieces together. Health precautions were observed, with much of the work done remotely; Goodrich and White have yet to even meet in person. Some performers filmed themselves at home, while six were filmed on location, including a bar scene at Big D’s Neponset Café. A scene of Greek gods talking about the pandemic was filmed at UMass Boston. Production was simple, with only a few props and no scenery or costumes other than everyday clothing.

Filming was completed by Memorial Day. Since then, editing has been ongoing, with the process currently being wrapped up. Once all the work is completed, the video will be added to Milton Access TV’s YouTube channel, according to Milton Players’ agreement with the station.

Goodrich said the monologues “run the gamut,” with some comedy and some sadness. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said.

Individual topics are also varied. While some are fairly predictable, such as quarantine and Zoom fatigue, others are less so. One is about a child being born, and another is a “sort of ghost story.” Goodrich said, “I love all of them,” noting that The COVID Monologues is intended for a general audience, including older children. Her own 9-year-old daughter is well acquainted with it.

Goodrich said working on the video has been “exceedingly different, a whole new thing.” Compared to live theater production, video offers options such as multiple takes, close-ups, and different locations. She is excited about the permanence of film and noted that during the 1918 pandemic there was little technology available to preserve memories.

Going into the production, Goodrich knew little about video technology and nothing about film editing. She said, “I love the process — it’s very fulfilling.” She said it has reignited her love of writing; she also hopes to continue video work and learn more editing.

The video will be screened at the Canton Public Library on September 22 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. Admission is free, and Goodrich said the event will be presented Hollywood-style with the actors and director available to answer questions.

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Posted by Candace Paris on Sep 3 2021. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.