Q: Why is it important for this story to be told today?
A: “It will always be important to show the effect of human kindness or lack of it in our world. This story is not just about a woman with cancer. It shows a need to accept our vulnerabilities and allow for others to enter our world and help. The play also reflects on why it is so important, that no matter how grand or subtle, we must be kind and show people they are important. It is all about making connections and as Vivian says.."dare I say it,....kindness". Our life, in the end, will be measured by this.”
Q: How do you feel Vivian's end of life journey is impacted by those around her?
A: I read an interview with the author and she said so simply, "In the end, one is left with the feeling that the main character of the play is being 'healed, not cured'. " As Vivian reflects on her life through the play the audience is given a glimpse into what shaped her, and why she is who she is. But as Vivian herself begins to discover how fleeting life is, she begins to reach out for comfort and allows herself to break her persona and be vulnerable. In the end, she craves human comfort.
Q: What is the overall heart of this story?
A: It is right there in the script for me, "Nothing but a breath–a comma–separates life from life everlasting. It is very simple really."
Life really is so very short....it is fleeting, and we waste so much time on nonsense. This story shows that there is so much more to life than your job, your education or degree. It is about how you spend your time here before you must leave and go on your next journey.
Q: What do you hope the audience takes away from this experience?
A: I hope people will see that it took Vivian's entire life, well, actually having to face her death, to realize how important the human connection is and how valuable life is and that it should be cherished. It didn't matter how smart she was, in the end, the fact that she just "is" has meaning. We live in such a fast-paced world of convenience, where life does not seem to have great value and I hope, if anything, people will go home and love their families and take the time to make those connections. All life has value.