Ordinary Time

Nancy Donoval
Every Pastie* Tells A Story
Playwrights’ Center
2301 Franklin Ave E Minneapolis, MN 55406

Fri., Jul. 31 @ 7:00 p.m. Sat., Aug. 1 @ 8:30 p.m. Tue., Aug. 4 @ 10:00 p.m. Fri., Aug. 7 @ 4:00 p.m. Sat., Aug. 8 @ 7:00 p.m. 
http://www.fringefestival.org/2009/show/?id=1079

You will not learn to make them twirl.  There.  Let me get the only disappointing thing about this story out of the way.  If you were looking for pole dancing, you will also have to go elsewhere. 

I said I was attending the Thinking Woman’s Fringe, but that doesn’t mean I’m not seeing funny shows.  It’s just that all of the funny shows I am seeing are also intelligent.  Nancy Donoval’s storytelling flawlessly integrates humor and intelligence and I never get tired of hearing her tell.  Since I’m her Girl Friday this year, doing last minute errands, recording (when my recorder works), postcarding, fetching cups of hot tea, helping get the props off the stage at the end, I’m hearing her tell a lot.  Nancy’s stories are remarkable not only for their humor and intelligence, but for their accessibility.  You do not  need to be a “theater person” to be drawn into this tale –  you don’t need to have been a good Catholic girl, or even a girl.  Familiarity with Milwaukee – not required.  You only need to have once been young, and to have thought that the rest of your life was hanging on someone else’s opinion of your talent, your competence, your commitment.  Nancy makes it look easy, this storytelling business – natural, like a conversation.  But don’t be fooled – at each and every moment, she is a dancer on point – a consummate, meticulous artist with words.  The resolution of this story leaves you richer, more capable of humor, generosity and intelligence yourself.    

And in the spirit of that generosity, I pass on this resource.  Girl Fridays also do research.