To the Editor:
Writing to affirm Mark Binder’s excellent, powerful review of Girls & Boys at the Gamm Theatre. He gave voice to many of the feelings and thoughts I experienced, some more overt and some more subterranean.
In particular, Mark’s comments about Donnla Hughes’ exceptional performance; and the engagement (manipulation) of the audience in a story of horrific misery – rang true. As well as his description of the questions, skepticisms, uncertainties that arise after the train wreck, before the end.
As a harsh provocation to talk about emotional literacy, connection, and humanity in families – the play is an unabashed success. I just can’t help feeling incomplete, dark and dirty by the end.
Evan Smith
[email protected]
To the Editor,
Thank you j hogue for your informative article in the Providence Eye, for your work on Art In Ruins and for your ongoing cultural advocacy. Thank you for reminding us that “when a homeowner alters their property or a developer proposes new buildings, they are not only doing it for their interests but also (for) their neighbors and the larger Providence community.”
Buildings are public art. We can either cover our world with mediocrity or we can build and renovate things to be beautiful and beneficial. Providence owes an enormous share of its success to the uniqueness of its built environment. j points out that only 6.8% of Providence is protected by historic district zoning. To talk with opponents you’d think that number was closer to 25%. As a city we can do better. The HDC needs to retain flexibility and it must adapt to society’s ever shifting needs for shelter and for new technologies like solar panels. We do not live in a museum. But it needs to strictly enforce basic principles of preservation. Do you want to live in “ok”, in ”good enough”, or do you want to be delighted by your surroundings? The choice is ours – live in a great place or live in any town usa.
Mark Van Noppen
To the Editor,
Author J Hogue’s comprehensive synopsis of the Historic District Commission is a fine example of what can be achieved with the protections and oversight of a preservation minded assembly of HDC members.
In the example of the 59 Williams Street photo, without any text, one can assume that the author is celebrating the HDC’S accomplishment in preserving this cottage.
However, the protections afforded the 59 Williams Street property is the result of a vigorous neighborhood campaign. Once a centuries old woods and garden, the cottage remained undisturbed until zoning laws in 2017 enabled a subdivision into three lots. An application to move the cottage to the very westernmost corner of its newly subdivided lot seeking additional square footage for the inclusion of a fourth lot. Thanks to a competent land use attorney, the cottage was required by law to remain in its place with the alterations and additions as mostly seen in the photo. To its east and in the rear another two houses are mostly built, also under the oversight of the HDC.
The Smiley administration has successfully replaced its longest serving preservation minded commission members, and one hopes that attorneys and community activists will be spared the burdensome cost of preserving the historic districts that the HDC is tasked with protecting. As author Hogue points out, it remains to be seen how this new board will decide what is historically appropriate and what is not.
Lily Bogosian
Dear Editor,
I recently read that great review for the Gamm, Girls & Boys and was truly happy to see something so well written- it engaged my curiosity and yet didn’t spoil the so-called surprise ending. I actually hope to buy tickets now when I might not have known about it. I tend to read off the fringe stuff and not main stream. More interesting work is done not in the main eye- so thank you! For the EYE’s perspective!
I would love to hear more about shows like that at the Gamm- and quite frankly ANY theatre happening in Providence. This is the city of creativity and the more art and theatre and Music as well as the changing political landscape would be awesome. The arts tend to reflect the edge of what is happening so the more the better.
Gratefully,
Susan Cat Collyer
Co-chair RI Theatre Makers Round Table
To the Editor:
Mark Binder’s review of Girls and Boys was as provocative as the show itself. He dealt with the intensity of the show without, as instructed, ‘giving away the plot twist’. I agree with him on many levels, not the lest of which was the ‘stellar performance’ by Donnla Hughes, who I found mesmerizing.
Margaret Rizzuto
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