Catch 22

         My friend was working the sign in sheet for the Catch 22 reading so I decided to support her by showing up for an hour or so.  By the time I got there I was surprised to see that half the seats in the tent were full.  In addition there were people camped out in sleeping bags and relaxing.  The atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxing.  Anybody was allowed to come and camp out, even if they weren't reading.  I remember these three very odd people dancing to Gangnam Style and other various dances during the readings.  The tent had strung up lights that made the tent look really nice and suitable for a marathon reading.  I will admit that I am not into books nor did I really pay attention to the reading, but it was a very enjoyable experience.  There were a diverse range of ages who read.  From college students to senior citizens, many people came to read.  Students, teachers, and even random residents came by to read. Free t-shirts were given out to people who read, I was lucky enough to get one of the extras without reading.  I was actually really surprise by the quality of this event.  There were many boxes of pizzas from Papa Johns, even the t-shirts were from American Apparel, whose clothes are not cheap at all.  The quality of the reading marathon really made me think that Penn State doesn't mess around when it comes to events.  Coming from high school I was expecting a shanty atmosphere with four boxes of pizza, the university level is truly another experience.  I was also really impressed by the turnout of the event.  My friend and I attended thinking that we would be the only ones there.  Like I mentioned above, there was a decent turnout.  I also looked at the sign up sheet, and the sheets were almost full!  I even saw people that signed up as early as 5am.  The only times that were vacant were at like three and four in the morning.  Some people even signed up twice to read.  After one person was done their shift, the next person up would just pick up from where the last person left off.  This made it very interesting to hear all the different tones.  Hearing each person's different tones and levels of excitement made it more enjoyable.  The reading marathon had many issues of the book as well so people could follow along or read on their own.  Another thing that surprised me was the actual marathon part.  I did not actually believe that they would be reading for the whole day, into the next day!  That really surprised me.  I was told that the author was a Penn State graduate but I believe the author did not come.  Overall I thought this was a good experience.  It was my first college sponsored event, and honestly I had a decent time.  Even though I do not like reading, the atmosphere was so pleasant and relaxing that it made the experience enjoyable.

In The Red and Brown Water

"In the Red and Brown Water" tells us a story about a young girl named Oya who loves to run and is really good at it.  The story starts off with Oya, who seems to be in a trance saying "Oya, Oya."  Her mother, mama Moja enters and jokes with Oya about her running, when all of a sudden she stops and starts experiencing pains.  Later in the play we see Oya winning a race, after which she is approached by a scout representing "State."  He offers her a spot at school but she declines due to her sick mother.  After the death of her mother we get a deeper view of other important characters.  Ogun, a shy mechanic who likes Oya and stutters whenever he talks to her.  Shongo, a strong, agressive man who also likes Oya.  Elegba, a young man obsessed with candy who is also intrested in Oya.  And finally Aunt Elegua, a charsimatic, big woman who comforts Oya and hits on her lovers.  After the death of Oya's mother, Shongo comes to comfort Oya and the two start a relationship.  The relationship is happy as the two constantly fight.  Shongo walks out on Oya to join the Army, and to make things worse, Oya seeks the man from State but is informed that they got a better runner.  Oya sits lonely on a porch, when Ogun approaches her and takes her in with the promise of a family, something Oya has been longing for.  However this relationship is not happy either, as Oya still has not had a baby.  On top of this she still has feelings for Shongo.  Shongo returns but Oya is informed that he is going to have a baby with another woman.   Shongo visits Oya, where she tells him that she prepared a present, but the present turns out to be her ear.  The play ends with Oya on the ground.  I felt that two things were the most important for the character.  Running for State and having a baby.  Unfortunatly she did not achieve both.  Had Oya ran for state, she would not have been there for her mother's death.  As for the baby I believe it was hinted that Oya was infertile by the mysterious voodoo lady. I was most compelled at the end when Oya cut off her ear.  I have to be honest that took me by such surprise.  Oya mentioned she had a gift and clenched her hands, so I thought it was sleeping pills but it turned out to be her own ear!  I had no idea how much she loved Shongo or how jealous and sad she felt that she wasn't having his baby.  I have no official critiques, I thought the play was good.  Although I was confused by the wardrobe, by looking at the costumes I thought it was placed back in the 1800's but apparently that wasn't it seeing as how they had a DJ. This was not the first live theater performance I saw.  I saw the Lion King on Broadway freshman year of High School so obviously Lion King was much better.  However I enjoyed this play as well, I thought the singing was phenomenal especially the scene at the church.  I also really enjoyed the character Aunt Elegua.