As I was searching for a musical to produce during these unprecedented times, I kept coming back to one that I had never actually heard of before... The Theory of Relativity. Neil Bartram and Brian Hill have weaved together a story of interconnectdness through a seemingly unconnected series of songs and monologues. I was drawn to the way that each character experiences joys and heartbreaks, and how they are all connected in the end by life's shared experiences. I felt that it was a theme we could all relate to after enduring a year of lost human connection.
During the course of this production, I had the pleasure of receiving an email from the writer, Neil Bartram. It is important to note that every song and monologue in this show is based on the true stories of students that Neil Bartram and Brian Hill spoke with. Some of the stories are lighthearted and fun, and some are very real, raw, and difficult. The songs and monologues are not meant to condone nor condemn a character's actions, but to merely tell their story. Neil pointed out that the show's message is "of empathy, inclusion and human understanding." Some of life's stories and lessons are hard. He expressed that he hoped that some of the topics in the show would lead to a discussion moment for students in an educational setting. In fact, we had a very good discussion with students about how their choices can lead to lasting negative consequences in their lives.
The very best thing about producing this show has been the feeling of community that has returned to our theatre. After more than a year of uncertainty, struggle, and isolation, we have emerged stronger together. My first year as the theatre teacher at Marana High School will be a memorable one in so many ways, but probably my greatest memory will be that of the student who walked back into the theatre space on the first day back at school in-person and simply stated, "I'm home."
Thank you for joining us, and enjoy the show!
Jennifer Davis
Director
