Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease - Why shouldn't it be laughed at

Mental Health and different health conditions have been in the rounds of mainstream discussion for awareness to promote access for treatments and healthcare. There are a lot of different avenues and ways for someone to promote such causes and Kenneth Lonergan and his new play: The Waverly Gallery has done a heart warming masterpiece starring Elaine May, Michael Cera, Lucas Hedges, Joan Allen and David Cromer in a new play set in Greenwich Village and Upper West Side of New York City between 1989 and 1991 narrated through the perspective of Daniel Reed played by Lucas Hedges. The show is currently running at the Golden Theater and is set to close on January 27, 2019.

I watch shows because of the intriguing buzz it gives the community of theater goers and its members in the industry especially when they tackle a universal matter that resonates to each and every member of the society. Watching it tonight, I saw how Kenneth Lonergan's masterpiece lived up to it's hype because of the moving and vibrance of the story line, subject matter and it's plot.

It's the first show I am watching on Broadway for 2019 and I am glad to watch it. It's humor and it's relevance to our society right now is relatable and outstanding. The balance of drama and snarky comments within a family (that sheds light comedic vibe in the plot) makes it remarkable. Elaine May's performance is brilliant and believable as to how her character, Gladys Green ends up having Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Michael Cera's transformation as Don Bowman is what we can call a chameleon as he is unrecognizable and a very moving key character in this story. Joan Allen as Ellen Fine (Gladys Green's daughter) is like every middle-aged wife who manages the household and taking care of her elderly mother with a progressing condition that not a lot of people at the time, has the understanding on how to address it. David Cromer's performance as Howard Fine is an absolute genius and realistic.

I am writing this blog not to comment, praise and criticize the show.

I am writing this to rant about how disappointed I am at the viewers and audiences in the show when I watched tonight. There are occasional phone users in the theater while the show is on going and that is not the worst part. (IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE SHOW, THIS IS A LITTLE SPOILER! SO WATCH IT NOW BEFORE IT CLOSES! - LOL) The 2nd act of the show is more heart warming serious than it's first act. Some of the audience members were laughing at what they thought as jokes but for the people whoa re undergoing the same situation as what the family in the stage is undergoing, it's the exact reality of someone's process as to how to address and deal with an illness that has no full understanding especially at the time the story is set.

I am deeply affected and slightly disgusted and disappointed as I understand that not many people understand that it's the exact parallel reality that is being manifested in the stage of a family who is trying to deal and address their situation that is depicted in the story.

My maternal grandmother died a few months ago because of her health conditions and we're fortunate enough that she is not in the stages of Dementia and Alzheimer's that was shown in the play. For a time, we're lucky as we now have access to how to deal and address these diseases compared to the time the play was set. I am saddened as I was brought up in an upbringing where: "Children are obliged to take care their parents when they're old as much as how they took take of them when they were young". There was a section in the play where it's being said that: "This is the time for the family to really take care of her". As a young, dreamy mid-20s child, I dreamed that one one day, I'll be able to give back to my parents and family like how they have provided for me.

I guess that's how I was raised and that's how I wish to see it in the future. But as children, we must not just let our elders fade being confined in different institutions. We must always show unconditional love and understanding especially to our loved ones.

The mental decline and reality is apparent to everyone. Let's be sympathetic and have a better understanding on the themes and topics that we see right in front of our faces. Yes, we see a show because of how entertaining it is but we must also look into how we suspend reality. The depiction of the scenes and shows we watch, listen and see in any forms of art, music, etc resonates because it shows that these issues and concerns are apparent in our society, community and into our own families.

Let us all be a part of a society that has better understanding, delivers kindness, has a sense of awareness and empathy that also spreads love and positivity.

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