Thornton Wilder Passes a Tough High School Test. Scott Hamilton Kennedy's modest, moving documentary follows the effort of two teachers to mount a production of our town at a high school in Compton, Calif. By A. O. Scott. (New York Times: Arts)

:: note :: the above post stirred a memory . . . a few years back directing a high school adaptation of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 . . . found myself spending the easter break running lines with a grade 12 student . . . no experience he had earned the part through bold enthusiasm . . . that day he lacked concentration and I inquired . . . he very quietly told me his dad had gone into his room yesterday and taken his stereo system speakers and all . . . six months work at a fastfood chain saving for the equipment . . . dad was an alcoholic and it was end of month and they needed rent . . . he was promised that they would buy the equipment back soon . . . he didn't look hopeful . . . i wondered what the hell was I doing running lines . . .