Recently the New York Times ran an insightful piece that looked at the meaning of disability. Call it a unique sense of timing, but as this international paper was inviting the world to consider the meaning of the word, people in Grand Rapids will have a chance to engage a few ways on this topic at the local level, with the arts playing a key role in the conversation.
Locally, those first two opportunities to deepen your intellect on the topic of disability will be via
a panel discussion being held the morning of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s (GRCT) debut of “Good People,” a new play opening on Friday, Sept. 9.
The Friday morning panel, put together by Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC), will be held at GRCT’s theatre and feature a panel made up of experts and advocates who work with the disabled community.
Unlike most panels in our city, this one is being structured to be a dialogue around the question: “How can we make Grand Rapids a more inclusive place to live and work?” (Rapid Growth also
recently delved into this question.)
DAKC estimates that more than 70,000 self-identified people are living with a disability in Kent County. When you factor in the reality that four out of five people at some point will be addressing a disability — whether from a life shifting experience or simply due to aging — then the topic becomes one of a community necessity before we reach this life-changing event. Call it a coming out period, but the need to be addressing this topic is now if we want to create a region that is truly good for all people to age in place — another topic making waves in the public sphere as an economically smart goal for an aging urban population.
This panel will provide those who want to broaden their knowledge on the topic of disability in advance of the opening of this Tony Award-nominated play that addresses the themes of fate versus free will with the stark realities of providing for a disabled family member.
And, of course, with all good theatre there is a hefty social punch packaged within this production.
“Good People” is written by David Lindsay-Abaire and secured a Best Leading Actress in a Play Tony Award for Frances McDormand as Margie.
"David Lindsay-Abaire pays his respects to his old South Boston neighborhood with this tough and tender play about the insurmountable class divide between those who make it out of this blue-collar Irish neighborhood and those who find themselves left behind,”
Variety writes. “The scrappy characters have tremendous appeal, and the moral dilemma they grapple with—is it strength of character or just a few lucky breaks that determines a person's fate?—holds special significance in today's harsh economic climate."
To register to attend the panel visit
GRCT’s Eventbrite page.
Tickets for “Good People” can be secured via
GRCT’s website. This production runs from September 9 - 25.
Admission: Panel is free, performances $16-$30