The Power of Small Acts of Love

Annamaria on Monday

More often than you might think, an act of love, even a seemingly small act of kindness will produce a marvelous outcome.  If all you do is unlock a door for someone, you might set them on a path to something wonderful.

My case in point today, is also my excuse for being late with my post.  I was too busy yesterday celebrating such an event.

All I did was give a stay in my apartment in Florence as a wedding gift to a couple I love and admire very much: Kate Hamill and Jason O'Connell.  Such an easy thing to do for two theater artists who have delivered so much joy to me.  Covid had messed with their wedding plans and temporarily brought to a halt their careers.  Who wouldn't want to give them something nice.

While Kate and Jason were in Florence, they visited the Uffizi Gallery, where Kate saw Artemisia Gentileschi's painting of Judith Slaying Holofernes:

That image grasped Kate's curiosity and her ensuing research inspired her to write a powerful play - The Light and the Dark.

The play was preformed in out-of-town trials at Chautauqua this past summer.  Here is what Chautauqua said about Gentileschi and Kate's play:

Artemisia Gentileschi, a trailblazing artist, was the most successful female painter of the 17th century. Her artistic legacy endures as one of the few Baroque-era female artists, with dozens of paintings exhibited globally alongside Rafael and Caravaggio. Artemisia, characterized by her irreverence and audacity, aspired to attain immortality through her groundbreaking work. However, her journey took an unexpected turn, marked by a series of brutal betrayals that forever altered her life and art. The resulting transformation kindled a fire within her, a flame that continues to astonish and resonate with audiences today. 

The Light and The Dark delves into the profound impact of art in assuaging trauma and explores the transformative power of female rage in reshaping societal paradigms. 

Yesterday I had the enormous pleasure of attending the New York opening performance.

Kate plays the role of Artemisia.  Jason plays supporting roles. If you are anywhere near New York, I urge you to see this riveting and powerful play.

 Kate and Jason give me far too much credit for "inspiring" the work of art that Kate has created.  My point is this: unlocking a door for someone is a pleasure in itself.  And you never know what wonders that first small step might lead to.