May 16, 2026
Parked at First Baptist last night and made my way through Downtown After 5 festivities to the Wortham to see Ann’s Cinderella, to the music of Prokofiev. It was astoundingly good. I was caught up in the theater of it regardless of my reservations concerning classical ballet. Chit-chat with Tom and CoCo. Sweet night in my little town.
May 12, 2026
Amazon delivery mistakenly left a package for my neighbor on my porch. I phoned him, and as I was describing how we were right across the street from each other, he said, “Oh! Where the bears squeeze in.” Yes. I like that. Where the bears squeeze in.
Went to All Souls to discuss with a fundraising guru how to raise money to rebuild. My mind goes almost immediately to the very rich, who should be encouraged to find something beneficial to do with their excess.
May 10, 2026
Skipped church, unable to endure the choir substitute.
Attended the final performance of Purification. Arrived early, sat under a tree in the bank parking lot while the immaculate sapphire sky blazed above. The actors were on fire, and the experience was totally different from what it was when they were not quite on fire. Quick. Exciting. I got every syllable. Fine ending note. The house was chocked with my friends, as Steve said it has often been. The revision was in my head, and when they came to parts I had changed, I kept hoping (impossibly) that the actors would use the revision.
B writes on Facebook: i am so glad i was able to experience The Sublime Theatre's production of David Hopes' Purification.
a passionate, witty, and effective call to the masses to not only demand, but to work for change. this cast and crew quite vividly brought the show to life. so much heart. so much humanity. so much humor mixed with justifiable frustration and anger. and it was such a wonderful mother's day gift to get see this with my kid.
and now.... sunday night karaoke....
i wonder what protest songs i know?
*
M also mentioned that she had given the afternoon to herself to be away from her family on Mother’s Day. People like I, with loads of solitude, don’t realize how precious it is to others.
May 9, 2026
D and her husband P here for dinner last night. She has become her mother, and there were moments when I had to consider twice to be sure whom I was talking to. She observed that I have become my father. P is both an unexpected and perfect mate for her, a pilot and a computer programer, light hearted where she is inclined to be morose. They have given themselves to good works through their church, including a summer camp for children in foster care. Three times she said, “You were at Michael’s funeral,” which made me hugely glad that I was. I can barely remember a time when I didn’t know D, and yet what do I know of her? Last night was the longest conversation we ever had. I remember her preference for dark meat and for the skin of the turkey at Thanksgiving when we were kids, but I had to ask her how many kids she has, and what she did for a living. She remembered a salad I made out of wild greens.
May 8, 2026
REVIEW: “Purification” | A thought-provoking new work
By Blaine Greenfield
Chief Encouragement Officer, BLAINESWORLD
At: The BeBe Theatre
From April 30-May 10
The Sublime Theater & Press
presents a World Premiere
of “Purification”
By David Brendan Hopes
I attended the first night of the show’s second-week run.
David Brendan Hopes’ “Purification” is an ambitious and richly textured new work that moves back and forth between 1911 and the present day, exploring how people respond when personal conviction and morality collide. At the center of the story is a small circle of friends and lovers whose lives are unexpectedly altered by a box of speeches and writings discovered in a basement storeroom, documents that connect them to an early 20th-century activist and begin to reshape the way they look at the world around them.
Rather than preaching a specific viewpoint, Hopes invites the audience into conversations about conscience, human connection, and the choices people make during unsettled times. The play blends drama and romance with music and touches of magical realism into a story that is both emotionally engaging and mentally absorbing. It’s the kind of production that sparks discussion long after the final scene ends while also searching for a path to better days.
Hopes has long been associated with thoughtful and socially aware theater, and that sensibility is very much on display here. “Purification” is less concerned with easy entertainment than with provoking reflection and examining ideas through richly layered characters and interpersonal dynamics.
All five performers are outstanding, with several taking on multiple roles. Notably, all five performers are making their Sublime Theater debuts.
Ben Mackel (Axel, Vincent Perrugia) is especially impressive throughout the evening. Whether providing comic moments, emotional grounding, or intensity, he handles each role with confidence and versatility. He also sang several songs during the production, including a powerful rendition of Phil Ochs’ “Small Circle of Friends” that set the tone beautifully for much of what followed.
Kai Chamberlain, making her stage debut as Anna Radzinsky, delivers a poised and emotionally compelling performance. One monologue in particular was especially moving and demonstrated both strength and vulnerability.
Chessa Budai (Diana) brings warmth, intelligence, and emotional depth to her roles, particularly in scenes dealing with family tensions and philosophical disagreements.
Eric Martinez (Jim) gives the production an appealing sincerity and grounded presence, helping anchor many of the contemporary scenes.
Braden LaMore, also making his stage debut as Cecil, handles the role with confidence and charm while also sharing believable chemistry with the rest of the cast.
Directed by Steven Samuels, the production moves smoothly between time periods and tones while keeping the focus squarely on the characters and the ideas driving the play. This marks the fourth collaboration between him and Hopes, and the creative partnership clearly continues to bring out strong work from both men.
Production Stage Manager Dakota Mann, Costume & Set Designer Kayren McKnight, and Lighting Designer Abby Auman all contribute strongly to the evening, with McKnight’s costumes especially effective and the overall visual presentation consistently appealing.
And then came one of the evening’s nicest touches. Near the conclusion of the play, sponge cake was served to performers onstage as part of the action, and afterward, audience members were invited to enjoy some as well. It created a warm and memorable sense of connection between cast and audience.
Kudos to The Sublime Theater & Press for continuing to champion original, challenging, and artistically ambitious work. This is a company clearly committed to supporting local and regional artists while creating productions that encourage audiences to think and engage. “Purification” fits that mission beautifully.
