Letters from Paris

Here I sit in my top-of-the-stairs (8 flights, American, 7 flights, French; NO ELEVATOR) apartment in Paris.  The weather is perfect: that sort of fresh, hazy morning which brings a soft light not unlike San Francisco and its ocean mists.  This past weekend was the Journee du Patrimoine: austere French ministries in hotels particuliers; a little hidden Russian Orthodox church built all of wood, encircling two living trees; grand monuments like the Ecole Militaire and the Opera-- all open their doors to the public in this once-a-year weekend.  And voila, the history and beauty of Paris abounds. The street teemed with people all eager to take a good long look at their national treasures.  I have long believed that Paris IS theater; not only for the beautiful settings and its surprise moments (that Russian church!) but also because of the way the chairs in the cafes are aligned: facing outward so the passing street scene can be observed, commented on, and most of all, appreciated and loved.  

People here in Paris ask me constantly about Word for Word.   They are very excited that "Two on A Party" comes to town (many towns all over France!) in March: I've warned of its "adult nature" and no one seems the least bit phased. In fact, they are thrilled to see a short story by the great American writer Tennessee Williams.   It is France, apres tout.   As for my immediate plans, I will be teaching in the Word for Word style, and have a wide range of workshops just waiting--from small children at the Ecole Bilingue where I've taught many a time with other Word for Word women, and which I love for it's creativity and joyful spirit, to high school students at BRIO, a special nation-wide program dedicated to bringing lyceens to the university, to a full-on 12-week acting workshop for adults.  Next stop, the Paris premiere of Tobias Wolff's Bullet in the Brain.  ( Credit to Stephanie Hunt. Remember the parachute?  It's here, waiting in a closet in an apartment in the 7eme for its next adventure. )

I miss San Francisco and our creative team and our new home at the Artaud more than you can imagine, but let's face it:  Paris is, after all, Paris.   As Mavis Gallant (author of Mlle. Dias de Corta, among many other stories, said when someone asked her why she moved from Montreal to Paris :  "Have you seen Paris?" )
And, of course, there are so many Parises to be seen.  I'm reading a great book by David Downie entitled "Paris, Paris" which is a fascinating look at and history of everything from the Luxembourg Gardens to the mess made by President Pompidou to Mme. X, a "seduction expert".  

Everything is fresh and new and a little overwhelming (not the least being my projected visit tomorrow tothe Prefecture de Police to get my working papers in order), but very exciting and full of promise.  I'll keep the Letters from Paris coming.

-Sue Harloe

Artistic Director, Word For Word

p.s.  Being in Europe brings an awareness of the weight of centuries of history.  To that end, I recommend that everyone go and see Word for Word's next Off the Page, "The Tumblers", and see the brilliant story that Nathan Englander has conjured out of a dark and desperate time.    October 14, JCCSF 8 pm.