Belief is irrelevant.
It’s not an easy play to do. There’s a lot going on, and a lot that can go wrong. But it’s probably the thing I’ve written that I am the most proud of. Maybe that’s why I have felt a lot of pressure getting it on it’s feet—pressure to do justice to the work, to the cast, to myself…
The play is about the circus. And it sort of takes place in the narthex.
Here’s an excerpt from the play. Tickets are available here for the remaining Brooklyn shows and here for the Manhattan shows next week. Use the code “SUBSTACK” for a discount on tickets.
Faith and belief are two different things.
ASSISTANT
Why don't you wear a top hat?
MAGICIAN
Because it reminds me of that day.
ASSISTANT
Why?
MAGICIAN
You know, I don't buy into that trite 'the circus is all I've ever known' bullshit. Not with you. You're not dull enough.
ASSISTANT
Thank you.
MAGICIAN
It's true.
ASSISTANT
…do you really want to know why I'm still here?
MAGICIAN
Why's that?
ASSISTANT
Because it's so God damn easy. It's easy to trick people. I've been here my whole life, and I know more than anybody--you and I are the only ones who have been here since… and um… I'm worried. I’m worried that if I do something bigger with my life, I will feel small—that I won't be able to trick anybody anymore.
MAGICIAN
"When you made my people smile, you made me smile."
ASSISTANT
Huh?
MAGICIAN
The end of The Clown's Prayer.
ASSISTANT
Ah.
MAGICIAN
My mother was also a performer. She would read it to me at night before bed.
ASSISTANT
That's cute.
MAGICIAN
For someone who has always been a performer, it's easy to think you have to trick people all your life. Because in a sense, that's what we have to do--trick the audience into being amazed. Create magic that isn't there.
ASSISTANT
I'm just the assistant--
MAGICIAN
But... that's a very very sad way to live.
ASSISTANT
Is that so?
MAGICIAN
If you're always the one doing the tricks, you never get to experience the magic yourself. Or worse: you start falling under the spell of your own illusions.
ASSISTANT
What do I do?
MAGICIAN
Let go.
ASSISTANT
Of?
MAGICIAN
Close your eyes. What do you see?
ASSISTANT
Lights.
MAGICIAN
What do you hear?
ASSISTANT
Applause--
MAGICIAN
Let go of that.
ASSISTANT
Of what?
MAGICIAN
The audience.
ASSISTANT
It's always there...