Emily Pineau Responds to Jim Vrabel's performance

“These songs aren’t meant to be understood, you understand,” Jim Vrabel announces while in the character of Henry James.  Jim Vrabel successfully pieces together the prose poems that he chose from the John Berryman’s book The Dream Songs in such a way that clearly illustrates the character Henry James.  Vrabel’s performance is not only humorous but it is also very engaging.  When the character Henry wears different hats during the various stages of his life I found this to be a very clever technique that Vrabel came up with.  These props made me feel more involved, and like I could really follow what is happening in Henry’s life.  After the show I pointed out how much the hats helped me follow this performance, and Vrabel commented and said, “Often times people wear different hats when they interact with different people in life.”  I feel like this point is very relatable because many people act different ways depending on whom they are talking to.  As a writer, it is important to note how characters mold themselves to be like someone else in order to please others.  The more that a writer observes the way that people act, the more depth they can incorporate in characters.  The depth in the character Henry really speaks to Vrabel, and in turn Vrabel makes Henry’s depth speak to the audience.  Even though Henry’s blunt and sarcastic nature is quite humorous, he has many shadows within him.  He is not happy with his life, or with himself, and is very bored with life.  The more that Henry seems to search for misery, the more that this makes me think about how important it is to enjoy life. 

               I love how invested Vrabel is in John Berryman’s writing, and in the character Henry.  All of the time he spent perfecting the lines and crafting this show shows how incredibly connected he feels to The Dream Songs.  Vrabel really inspires me because he encourages the idea that literature is a very powerful art that can not only change people, but also drive them to accomplish great things in life.  I hope that one day I will create characters that will inspire people to really appreciate their lives and what they have.