Sunday, January 26, 2025

Loudly, Clearly, Beautifully at The Hive

Loudly, Clearly, Beautifully, playing at The Hive Collaborative through January 31, lives up to its name. In this self-penned one-woman show, Elena Glass shares the story of her father's Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis when she was a young teen, and how his decline defined her family and her life for 16 years. 

As a local singer/actor, Glass uses her talents to convey the closeness of her relationship with her dad, Gene. She recreates their conversations, playing both roles to humorous effect. She sings the songs that were close to his heart as she was growing up: Carole King, John Denver, James Taylor. A performer from a young age, she also throws in part of many showtunes, with accompaniment and vocal assistance from the talented Wesley Frye. 


Elena Glass. Photo by M & D Media
In less than 90 minutes, she covers the good, the bad, the frustrating, the funny, the poignant, and the heartbreaking aspects of her father's life until he passed away in a care facility during the height of COVID, and the ways in which her life has changed since he's been gone. Although her story is personal and specific, it's also universal. Illness and death affect everyone, and it's easy to relate one's own experiences to the show, making it even more poignant.

The production is beautifully directed by Allison Vincent, with lighting by Eric Morris and Vincent. Stage Manager Luke Peterson and Artistic Collaborator Nikki Swoboda Theisen also contributed to the show. It's not clear who is responsible for the video and slides of her father, but they added so much to the show. 

The closing song, written for the show by Leslie Vincent and Emily Dussault, The Champagne Drops, beautifully showcased the themes of the show. Performed loudly, clearly, and beautifully, it was the perfect end to a remarkable show.