TALES TOLD 'ROUND THE WORLD -- Winona State University

playwright: Forrest Musselman
director: Vivan Fusillo

A young boy, Jack, chooses to read his story homework on the internet, rather than from a book. A nasty virus keeps shutting him down.

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There was some nice material here, but as with other productions I've seen, directed by my mentor, Vivian Fusillo, this just never reaches the level of intensity that it needs to reach.

There really isn't much to comment on about the script. It seemed pretty simple. The sense of the virus and it's interaction with jack never really materialized. Is this the fault of the playwright, or the director. Hard to say.

The energy was low and dragging and the wonderful set was never fully utilized. What has happened? Where is the wild creativity? The lack of performers may be one issue, but my recollection of 20 years ago (okay, 25 years ago), was that Vivian worked magic with kids who weren't "theatre" students. And people WANTED to be in a Vivian show. That doesn't seem to hold true today.

I hate to admit it, but it is a struggle for me to go to one of these shows now. I do do out of respect, but it takes an effort.