We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time

We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time

The Public Theater

June 15, 2019

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

Playwright/Performer David Cale’s We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time is an intimate and personal story of the continuity of life.  David tells the story of growing up in Luton, England, when a family tragedy set his life on an unexpected trajectory.  His writing is touching and honest.  His performance is vulnerable and heartfelt.  His lyrics are simple and effective.  The music, co-written by Matthew Dean Marsh, is emotional and tender.

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The story starts with David telling how, when a young boy, he transformed the shed in his backyard into an animal hospital, merely by painting the sign “animal hospital” above its doorway.  Over a short period of time he built it into an aviary where he raised hundreds of tropical birds.  He often stopped in his tracks to watch a flock of geese fly over his yard in a V-formation.  David goes on to tell about his alcoholic father, his strict and emotionally abusive grandfather, and his mother, who felt as if she sold her soul when she married into the unknown darkness of her husband’s family.  David’s brother, Simon, also found solace in flight, only his was through building model airplanes and hanging them from the ceiling of his bedroom.  One morning, when he was sixteen, David’s life flew into confusion and uncertainty when his father brutally and unexpectedly beat his mother to death with a hammer.  His grandfather’s hammer, which David borrowed to build his aviary.  The spirit of his mother soared inside David, as he traveled to America to fulfill his dreams to become everything she was unable to achieve.

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time is a life-affirming tale of hope, brilliantly structured and stunningly shared.  David Cale is genuine.  His skills are so fine-tuned that he makes everything look easy and comfortable.  This is a show that MUST be experienced firsthand.  It is running at the Public Theater through July 14.  Get you tickets right away!

Domenick Danza