A “What Keeps Us Going” Reading Was Fantastic

Saturday night past, I had a fantastic time watching a reading of Barbara Dana’s “What Keeps Us Going.”

The original and well worth it, reason I wanted to see the reading was/is the presence of the great actor/actress, Blythe Danner. As “Marie,” in the auto biographical Dana play, based on her experience with the marvelous actor/actress, Elizabeth Wilson, Ms. Danner was brilliant, combining humor and pathos.

There was a sensational cast brought “to the heights,” by another performing great, Austin Pendleton, who directed the performance. (I talked to Mr. Pendleton after the performance and he was truly friendly and classy, repeating his words during the informative Question/Answer of “take off your mask.”).

That cast included Amelia Campbell as “Lily,” based on Ms. Dana and Lee Wilkof, he started in a class taught by Mr. Pendleton and has come full circle back to another one. He learned well as both he and Campbell gave truly moving performances.

Anthony Arkin and Jordan Kaplan, as respectively the caring theater director and narrator type, also performed very well.

I hope this becomes a full fledged play. Also I highly recommend events and there are some very good upcoming ones involving Hudson Stage Company.

Click below to view upcoming events and access information about the excellent Hudson Stage Company.

hudsonstage.comHudson Stage Company – Professional Theatre in Westchester