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Because Politics is Personal
September 2, 2008 : After a sucessful run at the History Theatre in 2006, Wellstone! is returning to the stage this Fall at the Sabes Jewish Community Center. Larry wrote the lyrics and songs for the play and will again be involved in the production. More...
(Saint Paul, MN) The World Premiere of Wellstone!, the play depicting the intimate life portrait of Paul and Sheila Wellstone opens at History Theatre on Saturday, October 7 and runs through Sunday, November 5, 2006. The play is written by Mark Rosenwinkel with music and lyrics by Larry Long and is directed by Steve Barberio.
Rosenwinkel, a core member of the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, wrote the script for Raw Stages in 2005, a New Works Festival in its third year. After an incredible reception of the script by the audience, cast and crew, Rosenwinkel was asked by Ron Peluso, History Theatre Artistic Director, to bring Wellstone! to full production for the 2006-2007 Performance Season. This story is not intended to divide two political parties but to bring together all in the name of universal politicking.
“When I first began, I was driven by the thought that this was a play I would rather not have written. Paul and Sheila should be alive. At the same time, however, I was fascinated by this intense, raw emotion, particularly in someone like me who was not a close friend of the Wellstones. I sensed that my feelings were clearly shared by a lot of people. For this reason, their deaths seemed more than a personal tragedy. Something else was lost, something bigger. An idea about communal responsibility, a notion hearkening back to an older populist tradition. The word "authentic," though perhaps overused, was something that was repeated by a number of people who knew them. The Wellstones were an "authentic couple”: What you saw was what you got. And we didn't know how rare that was until their plane went down. “
—Mark Rosenwinkel, writer of Wellstone!
Larry Long, music and lyrics for Wellstone!, knew the Wellstone’s for a number of years, worked with his campaigns, his causes, etc. Music is vitally important to this play because it furnishes an emotional context to the events in the story. Much of the music was used in a variety of actual political movements, including events in which Paul and Sheila were directly involved. Larry's songs are quoted, for example, in Paul Wellstone's book, Powerline. Paul also keenly understood the power of music - specifically, folk music - in his grassroots organizing. It’s also vital from a practical aspect - it allows the story to move quickly from one event to another in a simple yet theatrical way.
“Paul and Sheila Wellstone were my friends. Along with thousands of others, I partnered with them in numerous campaigns over the last thirty years. I first met Paul in the 1970's when I was giving support through song for the farmers fighting the high voltage powerline from being built on their land in central Minnesota. Paul invited me to visit his classes at Carleton College to teach political history and social activism through song, which I did. When Paul first ran for senate, I sang at several benefits for him in union halls and in the homes of family farmers. My wife and I were with Paul & Sheila in their hotel room on election night when they found out they had won! During the last election I flew with Paul & Sheila to one debate and co-wrote Paul's campaign song, Stand Up, Keep Fighting.”
—Larry Long, music and lyrics for Wellstone!
The community partnerships between History Theatre and two local organizations have proven fruitful as well. Jeff Blodgett and Pam Costain from Wellstone Action have offered insight into Paul and Sheila’s professional and personal life and have suggested the proper avenues of promotion. Also, the Women’s Advocates have been very helpful by promoting Wellstone! to their contributors and supporters.
“We developed the Sheila Wellstone Children’s Program in 2001 at Women’s Advocates. Sheila’s Program is dedicated to programming and support for the children of the women that seek safety at our shelter. We dedicated the program to Sheila after she and Paul had worked with Women’s Advocates for many years to make our space ‘more than a safe place’.”
—Raeone Loscalzo, Executive Director, Women’s Advocates
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