Well, neighbor, you can’t see me now, but I’m changing into a cardigan and tennis shoes as I write this review.
Being a person of a certain age, I well remember Mr. Rogers and the measured rhythm and pattern of his television show… feeding his fish, greeting his mailman, and taking the trolley into the Land of Make Believe. Remembering this character feels like visiting a great uncle or seeing your nerdiest childhood friend – more wholesome than watching “The Brady Bunch” and thumbing through a copy of “Highlights” magazine while drinking buttermilk from a sippy cup.
“I’m Proud of You,” a memoir piece directed by Open Stage’s Kelli Kauterman, has the same slow-burn pacing as “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” but we are nowhere near the Land of Make Believe. We are several layers underneath casual acquaintance territory, invited to observe a friendship where spirit friends lay their hearts and secrets bare.
Journalist Tim Madigan (Stuart Landon) chronicles his eight-year friendship with Fred Rogers (Michael Gingerich), and the impact the friendship made during a dark time in his life. Although the two met when Madigan interviewed Mr. Rogers for an article about the effects of TV violence on children, Mr. Rogers took control of the interview to ask deeper questions of Madigan. Mr. Rogers wanted to know Madigan’s “essential invisibles,” the things about him beyond what meets the eye.
For many of us, sharing our true feelings is more frightening than Mr. Rogers’ creepy puppet Lady Elaine Fairchilde popping over the castle wall in the Land of Make Believe. But part of Mr. Rogers’ puppet ministry was to encourage children to talk about hard things, to deal with feelings in healthy ways – very much the opposite of the other shows on TV during his 30-year run. In his gentle, simple way, he shared about dealing with his own anger and grief, encouraging others to also share.
When Madigan finally reciprocates and shares his own feelings, his new friend Fred creates space for them. He validates those childhood hurts. He casts insights into generational trauma by asking simple questions and asserting unconditional acceptance. He makes his new friend feel important and significant. Over their years-long correspondence, the two reach a level of sharing I’ve not yet touched with my own therapist. According to Madigan, his spiritual friendship with Fred Rogers changed everything for him.
Throughout the play, Landon portrays the reticent Madigan as slightly sarcastic, manifesting his figurative discomfort within his own skin by constantly adjusting the buttons and silhouette on his ill-fitting corduroy blazer. We watch Landon stumble through uncomfortable interactions with his family members, (played by versatile actors Michael Rodriguez and Suzanne Thomas), awkward body language and all. Landon’s conversational delivery falters for words at times, the way one does when foraying into uncharted and painful spaces. Yet Landon bravely lets himself become watery-eyed onstage as his character takes more risks with feelings, opening himself to deeper friendship. I’ve never met Madigan in real life, but I believe Landon’s interpretation of Madigan.
Gingerich blesses the audience with an unflinching embodiment of public television’s most cherished “secular saint.” His portrayal of my favorite puppeteer was just as I remember him: slow and thoughtful words overflowing with positivity, kindness and compassion. At times, I felt like I was parked in front of our family’s old console TV, in my jammies with a bowl of Count Chocula cereal. Through Gingerich’s performance, I felt privileged to see behind the scenes into a private piece of Mr. Rogers’ life. As I grew, I thought Mr. Rogers’ cozy, slow delivery was deliberate just for TV, allowing time for children to catch up and better absorb the message. (Maybe adults need a little time to absorb certain simple concepts, too?) Gingerich is the co-founder and Chief Encouragement Officer of Someone to Tell it To, a nonprofit with a mission of listening, teaching others to how listen, imparting encouragement and kindness. (If you hang about in the lobby, you might meet the other co-founder, Tom Kaden.)
When the lights went out for intermission, I felt inspired to lean over to my plus-one and share with her on a deeper level. Then when she went to the bar to freshen her drink, I overheard two other sets of friends in the rows behind us sharing their own memories and feelings. During the play, Mr. Rogers asked many questions that prompted audiences to think about their own relationships, reaching for tissues or wiping their eyes on the backs of their sleeves. Even more than two decades after his passing, Fred Rogers’ “almost unbearably sweet” ministry continues to reach audiences, of all ages.
Uncharacteristic of a Mr. Rogers program is a warning on this play for children under 14, due to dark subject matter and light profanity. And I’m not sure if Mr. Rogers ever drank, but behind the bar are two cleverly named signature drinks that you can sip while seated next to the trolley in the lobby.
Well, neighbor, I’m putting my jacket and street shoes back on now. I hope you decide to take the trolley journey to Open Stage. In fact, I knew you could.
Open Stage’s “I’m Proud of You” runs through April 12. For more information, check their website at https://www.openstagehbg.com/shows/ipoy. Also worth a look is https://www.someonetotellitto.org/.
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