Latest news with #CaitlinSullivan
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ohio review – spine-tingling folk harmonies and life's big questions
Music is a lifeline for Abigail and Shaun Bengson. Baring their souls through song, Ohio is introduced as a 'death concert' in response to the indie-folk musicians' young son asking what happens when we die. But this bittersweet story of family, faith and loss is almost ferociously about grabbing hold of life. The Bengsons create harmonies that glide directly to the top of your spine. Both clearly feel the music in their bones, but it's Abigail who shows it, her body unable to resist moving to the tumbling scales they create together, her bright, beaming face turned up to the sky. Director Caitlin Sullivan helps the pair gracefully shape their story on stage, treading softly between gig, presentation and choir rehearsal. The potted narrative sticks closer to Shaun, who is the drily comic balance to Abigail's bounding enthusiasm. Guiding us through his repressive Lutheran upbringing, he eases out of the religion's grasp but holds on to what faith means for his father, and what his father means to him. Narrowing our focus, the show homes in on Shaun's degenerative hearing loss. In one revelatory scene, their microphones are modulated for us to understand what Shaun hears now, certain tones and consonants absent to him, then thickening and distorting as that blank mugginess will intensify over time. With creative captions that tremble as the sensory experience distorts, this slow theft is devastatingly wrought. The pair create the atmosphere of holding our hands throughout, with angelic, ululating folk song accompanying the thoughtful ways they see and explain life. Their story serves as both a formal introduction to them as a couple as well as a deeply spiritual meditation on the world we live in. A revenant hush accompanies everything they say. A song to Shaun's choirmistress who helped a shy, almost unspoken child unfurl is shattering. Made freshly aware of time slipping through our fingers, no one wants to miss a moment. At Upstairs at Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, until 24 August. Then at Young Vic, London, 30 September-24 October All our Edinburgh festival reviews
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MSU community unites two years after mass shooting
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Two years ago on Feb. 13, 2023, a devastating shooting at Michigan State University changed lives forever. On the second anniversary, classes were canceled and the usual hustle was replaced with remembrance. Spartans spent the day honoring those lost and finding strength in each other. There were outdoor support spaces across campus providing heated tents, hot chocolate and comfort dogs. Volunteers ensured that everyone had a place to pause and reflect. For many Spartan community members, this day is personal. Bella Short, now an MSU junior, recalls the fear of that night. 'I was a freshman here when it happened and I remember it like it was yesterday,' she says. 'Just remembering the lives that we lost is really important and that's something I'll never forget and I know people at Michigan State will never forget.' For others who weren't there when tragedy struck, it was still impactful. Caitlin Sullivan, a sophomore, shares what the anniversary means to her. 'This day means to just gather around each other and to be there for each other and really take into account the changes that need to be made in our government and in our society,' she said after placing a flower at the base of the Spartan Statue. 'It speaks much volumes to me as to what action needs to be taken in order to protect our students and protect kids in the US and all over the world' Volunteers like Sean Brown played a vital role in the day's remembrance. 'MSU is such a special place because of the shared love and passion for the community as a whole,' Sean says. 'Students deal with so much in their day-to-day life and then to have something huge like this happen, I am glad to be able to do what I can… There are a lot of volunteers here today which really shows the commitment of staff, faculty, and community members have to making sure the students get that extra support today when they need it the most.' MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz also paid his respects at the Spartan statue. 'Many of the students here today were on this campus two years ago on that tragic day,' he said. 'It's important that we didn't hold classes today so that the student students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to reflect.' He emphasized that today is about honoring the past, supporting each other and ensuring a safer future. 'We're trying to find ways to put measures in place such that an event like that, a tragic event like that will never happen again. We're working hard at that, trying to educate people, but most importantly today is about supporting each other.' While this community continues to heal, they say their resilience remains 'Spartan Strong.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
