Mass
It's not every day that you get a chance to see Bernstein's Mass. To pull it off, you need more people than the House of Representatives, an understanding sponsor, and people who like Leonard Bernstein. When I heard that Mass was playing at the Foellinger Great Hall in the Krannert Center here at school, I really couldn't pass it up.
It's a pretty solid piece. This particular presentation of it included a childrens' choir, a full adult choir, an orchestra that included a smaller jazz band and a smaller rock band, an ensemble of around 20 players, and six dancers. The music's pretty great- to be expected from Bernstein- and the plot focuses on a priest who gets tied up too much in the ritual and grandeur of a Catholic mass, all the while watching his damaged flock disintegrate.
I'm not what you would call a religious person, yet when the Celebrant (the priest) had his breakdown and shattered the altar, I couldn't help but feel slightly torn. On one hand, as an audience member, I was drawn into the drama, but on the other hand, as a Catholic, I was repulsed by the degredation of the Church's sacred instruments. But I guess that's the point of a controversial show; take someone outside of their comfort zone and give him perspective.
All in all, the show was beautiful and conflicted; quite apropos considering the weekend I had.