Different Lenses: A Mortician, Irish Theatre, and the Eastland Disaster
History is not just facts and events. History is also a pain in the heart and its soul. If we tell that story with an open heart, we can leave an amazing legacy for future generations. - Ken Burns
Lots of Eastland Disaster news this week!
Note: these are show notes from my latest podcast (Ep. 22) which talk about how a few Google Alerts inspired me to take a detour from my usual podcast format. Here we go:
We're taking a little detour from Flower in the River this week to view the Eastland Disaster through some fascinating lenses.
A Tip of the Hat to the Irish
You wouldn't believe it, but the Eastland's ripple has reached the Emerald Isle! Collective Theatre in Dublin is threading this tragic tale into today's tapestry. Their show, Eastland promises to be a poignant tribute to those 844 souls lost in the Chicago River. If you happen to find yourself in Dublin on August 30, 2023, be sure to pop over to the Samuel Beckett Theatre and catch what promises to be an unforgettable performance.
My Own Theater Flashback
Reflecting on my co-founding days at The Magic Circle Ensemble, memories flood back of how we dared to tackle themes like the Third Reich and the AIDS crisis. I'm reminded of theater's magic – its power to not just entertain but to spark real, raw conversations and challenge our perspectives.
When a Historical Society and Mortician Collaborate, Expect Alchemy!
The Eastland Disaster Historical Society and Caitlin Doughty of Ask a Mortician have concocted something truly spellbinding. Doughty's documentary, The Forgotten Disaster of the SS Eastland is not just a mesmerizing account but a timeless reminder of our duty to history. And trust me, you'll want to hear the part about how the Eastland Disaster documentary stirred some unexpected controversy – stranger than fiction, I tell ya!
These creative efforts remind us of the importance of our due diligence in preserving history, as, in the words of Marcus Garvey, "a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots".
Different Lenses: A Mortician, Irish Theatre, and the Eastland Disaster
