The Arts Rundown

Here's what I've been reading and seeing lately:

Books:

• Safe Passage—A memoir of two opera-loving sisters who rescue Jews as WWII looms over Europe. Touching, beautiful, perhaps a bit self-indulgent. What's stuck with me is their heartache over all the people they met but couldn't save. It inspired me, though, take advantage of every skill I have and every moment I can help people. Lives are saved by everyday people.
• A Thousand Splendid Suns—A devastating, epic of life as a woman in Afghanistan. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, make me see clearly strongest strength and weakest weakness of the human soul.

Theater:

• A Little Night Music—New Stage Collective's charming farewell production. It's been awhile since I've seen a musical. I've always hated the song "Send in the Clowns," but now I sort of like it. After seeing the show, a depressing song about clowns doesn't seem so baffling. The leads were tremendous, but special props go to my dear Margaret-Ellen who will indeed marry the Miller's son.
• The Arms and the Man—A little George Bernard Shaw livens up any Saturday night. I loved the playful, yet meaningful, juxtaposition of absurdity and rationality. A show that lets you laugh out loud and think about the meaning of courage is a well-rounded show. Plus, it references chocolate quite a bit.

Movies:

• Sunshine Cleaning—It was listed as a comedy, but anyone knows a story of two sisters with relationship and life issues can be nothing but a drama. I don't object to that though. It was enjoyable, and gross, and I did laugh, too.