A Dozen Things to Think About: Manbites Dog Theater’s Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them

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~Friday~ Last night I saw Manbites Dog (MBD) Theater’s current production, Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them.

As is almost always the case with MBD shows, it’s a day later, and I’m still thinking about the play—and more things from it than I can count on two hands.

Here’s a list of a dozen things about the play that come to mind off the top of my head:

  • What comprises a family?
  • Can a 16-year-old be “the man of the house?”
  • In what circumstances is twelve-years-old old enough?1
  • Whose house is it if the kids live in it, and the parents don’t, but pay the bills?
  • Is holding onto the memory of a dead parent healthy or not? And what does letting go of it mean or do?
  • Is having an imaginary friend helpful or harmful?2
  • Can using scientific terms for sexual acts “decriminalize” them or “eliminate judgment” of them?
  • The rejection of LGBT youth by their parents.
  • The acceptance of LGBT siblings by “young kids today.”3
  • A recognition that “love is love.”
  • To what extent is “breaking the rules” a good thing?
  • Does that title need a preposition in it?4

{1} Interesting coincidence that today, I watched a video called The Girl Effect (3 mins, 5 secs), which starts off with, “When a girl turns 12…”

{2} Helpful in “having someone to talk to” or to “verbalize your feelings,” or harmful as “not facing reality” or “not growing up.”

{3} When a parent says about an LGBT person, “We can’t tell the children [about the LGBT person],” who’s really afraid of what?

{4} My friend Bob posits that “can shoot things” carries an implication of hitting them, so if you’re going to add the qualifier, “and hits them,” then you need the word “at” in there: “Edit Can Shoot At Things and Hit Them.” I tend to agree.

If you’ve seen this show, do any of these resonate with you? Were there others things about it that particularly resonated with you, or that you’re still thinking about? Do tell.

If you like plays that makes you think, then you’ll find a treat in Manbites Dog’s current run, Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them. Remaining shows this Saturday and Sunday (12/10/11 – 12/11/11), and next Wednesday through Saturday (12/14/11 – 12/17/10).

More information and ticket purchases at www.manbitesdog.com.

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