One of the first Broadway shows I worked on was John Guare’s “House of Blue Leaves.” Directed by Jerry Zaks, it was equal parts manic comedy, heartfelt family drama and social commentary. The play had a crazy cast with Ben Stiller, Stockard Channing, Swoosie Kurtz, Christopher Walken and more.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of a visit by the Pope to New York City. An event that actually happened in 1965. In the show, he’s due to land in sixteen hours. Anticipating his arrival, family members each have their own fantasy about what it will mean for them to feel seen by the Pope.
I’m embarrassed to admit that before working on this play, I didn’t know about the actual visit, which was the first time a Pope came from Italy to the Western Hemisphere since 1809. I also had no idea how obsessed people were about this. I knew almost nothing about organized religion. Theaters were my church, which only a former theater major would say. In Guare’s world, the chance to meet the Pope was everything.
I was reminded of the power of the Pope recently reading this article written by Pope Francis. Entitled, “There is Faith in Humor,” Pope Francis is very clear about the value of a sense of humor, especially about ourselves. And not just laughing, but the whole spectrum of emotions. He warns of the danger of being cut off from them.
“...when it becomes hard to cry seriously or to laugh passionately, then we really are on the downhill slope. We become anesthetized, and anesthetized adults do nothing good for themselves, nor for society…”
Wait, what? That’s what I think too! Pretty sure I haven’t opined about “society at large,” as often as the Pope. But I have always done my best to keep people laughing, fully knowing that evoking any kind of emotion is good for the soul.
Having said that, I haven’t launched “Crying On Call.” Yet. But honestly, I’m here for it. What a surprising gift to have the Pope advise us not to allow ourselves to become anesthetized and topping himself with, “..the best advice in front of a mirror is to laugh at ourselves.”
Not to get all John Guare about it, but reading this article made me feel seen by a Pope. And validated for my relentless quest to keep people’s spirits alive by bringing truth to the good, the bad, the funny, the sad, this is the juicy stuff of life. And now I can quote the Pope!
In these next few weeks as we travel to family, or don’t, as we sip eggnog feigning interest in pickleball victories, or instead hide at home giving “Love Actually,” one more try, no matter what religion you do or don’t practice, let’s heed the words of His Holiness and make room for the laughing, the crying and everything in between. Just to show how on board I am with the Pope’s wisdom I’ve got a timely slogan all picked out for him. “Feeling Alive in ‘25!” Who’s with me?
