Page 89 of Penalty Shot
“There’s a whole thread about the play.”
I look over her shoulder as she scrolls.
@TheaterPurist72:#CancelBloodWillHaveBlood! How dare Elise Chen butcher Shakespeare’s masterpiece with her so-called “experimental” nonsense. This is an insult to the Bard and true theater lovers everywhere. @ImaginationOhio should be ashamed.
@ShakespeareFanatic:Disagree completely! Shakespeare’s works are meant to be interpreted and reimagined. Chen’s vision brings new life to Macbeth, sparking discussions and engaging new audiences. #SupportBloodWillHaveBlood
@ArtsEnthusiast123:It’s important to push boundaries in theater. @ImaginationOhio reinterpretation challenges conventional norms and invites fresh perspectives. Let’s celebrate creativity instead of stifling it. #InnovativeTheater #BloodWillHaveBlood
@TraditionalTheaterGoer:Shakespeare’s plays are timeless CLASSICS that should NOT be tampered with. This nonsense is an affront to tradition and undermines the integrity of Macbeth. #RespectTheOriginal #CancelBloodWillHaveBlood
@ShakespeareScholar:Actually, Shakespeare himself often adapted existing stories for his plays. Elise Chen’s interpretation offers an artistic lens in the spirit of the early modern period. #ArtisticFreedom #BloodWillHaveBlood
@CulturalCritique:The backlash against Elise’s production highlights the tension between tradition and innovation in the arts. While some may find her approach controversial, it’s crucial to remember that art is subjective and evolves over time. #EmbraceChange #BloodWillHaveBlood
@TheaterCritic85:As a theater critic, I applaud @ImaginationOhio courage to take risks and challenge conventions. Whether you love it or hate it, Chen sparks important conversations about the relevance of Shakespeare in contemporary society. #TheaterIsAlive #BloodWillHaveBlood
@TraditionalTheaterGoer:Take your risks and challenges to YouTube where it belongs. #CancelBloodWillHaveBlood
@ShakespeareScholar:If Shakespeare were alive today he probably would be a social media influencer using YouTube to create content. #ArtisticFreedom #BloodWillHaveBlood
@ImaginationOhio:We hear both sides of the debate and appreciate the passion for Shakespeare’s work. At Imagination Ohio, we strive to foster creativity and dialogue. Elise Chen’s production of Blood Will Have Blood embodies our commitment to innovative storytelling. Let’s continue to celebrate diverse perspectives in the arts. #OhioImagination #BloodWillHaveBlood
@TheaterPurist72:#CancelBloodWillHaveBlood. I for one will be cancelling my season tickets. @ImaginationOhio used to have taste and integrity. Now they’re just pandering to people who know nothing about Shakespeare. Do these people even understand the plays?
@ArtsEnthusiast123:@TheaterPurist72 who are “these people” exactly? You mean women of color authors and directors who use theater as a platform for social awareness? That’s called good theater! Who are YOU to decide who owns the plays? #whitemaleprivilege #InnovativeTheater #BloodWillHaveBlood
“Oh my god,” Elise mutters. “Antonio is going to lose his shit over this.”
“Put it away for tonight, Elise. C’mon, there’s nothing you can do about it right now.”
I can’t believe how calm I’m sounding.
Must be because I’m barely opening my mouth with how much tension is locked in my jaw.
You know how people describe butterflies fluttering in their stomach when they’re stressed?
Well, this is sort of like that, but it’s a bunch of bulls in a fucking stampede ready to plow down every hashtag bullshit that so much asdoubtshow brilliant Elise is.
I’m going to find that hashtag-theater-purist motherfucker and—
“I know I can’t do anything about it right now,” Elise interrupts my internal rant. “And people say that even bad publicity is good publicity. I’m worried about Antonio. If he’s even remotely regretting choosing me, this will definitely tip the scales.”
Helpless. This is what helpless looks like.
You can love someone so hard you’d kiss the ground they walk on, but you can’t do shit to save her from her mediocre-minded boss.
“What can I do?” I ask, desperate to make it right.
She looks at me as she turns off the phone. “Don’t let me react to anything tonight, OK? Keep it away from me. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”
“You got it.” I grab her phone and put it in a drawer.
“No matter how curious I am, donotlet me near it. I’ve seen it so many times. Directors’ and actors’ knee jerk responses making things worse. I’m too tired to say the right thing. Keep the phone away from me. Promise?”
“It will take a bulldozer to get through me,” I assure her.
She exhales and suddenly all the tension and excitement and doubt deflate her body. Elise’s fatigue is so palpable, it’s like a force that shrinks her.