Can a monologue can stop a bullet?

Depends on how you look at the world.

You can take the cynical stance and point out how ineffective Tony was, fancy feet aside, in preventing the Jets and Sharks from rumbling.  Riff and Bernardo are living proof. Well, not living, really, but you get the point.

Or, you could side with Hallie Gordon, who’s partnering with great organizations like Facing History And Ourselves and Steppenwolf Theatre, mounting an uphill battle to use the arts to help stop the killings of young Chicagoans.  It’s called “Now is the Time,” and it sends artists into gang-plagued Chicago public schools to at least try to start stemming the violence. 

You can say it’s a preposterous goal filled with ignorant ambition, given the extremely deep-rooted challenges facing many of the people involved in the cycles of violence.  As Chris Jones wrote in the Chicago Tribune, “…isn't some artistic response to this crisis going to be marginal at best…?”

Or, you could believe in the kind of effect that Now is the Time hopes to bring to troubled neighborhoods in need of radical change. While accomplishing that isn’t as easy as bringing in actors or dancers, it’s a different way of thinking.   And changing actions starts with changing thinking.

If nothing else, as Chris Jones also points out, anytime kids are involved in artistic pursuits, they’re off the streets and out of danger.  So for those few minutes, you could say the arts is actively fighting gangs and crimes.

You never know how someone could be affected by one monologue or one plie’ or one aria.  It could stop one bullet. 

It’s worth a try.  

Let’s hear it for unorthodox delivery! (And I don’t mean water births)

I watched Northwestern almost take down the #1 team in the country Saturday night, without their best 3-point shooter, John Shurna. Ever seen John Shurna shoot a 3-pointer? He shoots with his arms parallel to his shoulders (instead of above them). It looks like he’s trying to release homing pigeons. It’s just not natural. But it’s beautiful. Because it works. He’s 3rd in scoring and 4th in 3-pointers made in the Big Ten.

Check it out, about 2:15 into this video.

Makes me think of Rick Barry. Rick Barry was old school when old school was still new school. Ever see him shoot a free throw? He did it underhand. Like when you were 3 years old. Like the smelly guy in the tank top with the chest fur at the gym who doesn’t know what you’re supposed to do with a basketball.

Don’t believe me? Take a look.

He led the league in free throw shooting percent seven times and had a 90% career average. Not too shabby.

How about Jason Belmonte? Mr. Belmonte’s unorthodox approach to bowling would make Earl Anthony roll over in his grave (with some nice English).

He bowls with two hands.

The 2009 PBA Rookie of the Year (Professional Bowling Association), is a handsome, sunglasses, 25-year old rising star, and drawing new folks to the sport. He’s kinda fun to watch.

Finally, Tim Lincecum. The right-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants has a crazy, homemade, ridiculously efficient delivery to the plate. The main difference is in his insanely elongated stride, which helps him propel the ball to the batter. The normal stride for a pitcher is 77-87% of his height; Lincecum’s stride is 129%, some 7 ½ feet. It’s amazing to watch.

Does it work? Hmmm…he won the Cy Young in 2008 and 2009, and last year, pitched 8 innings and won the deciding game of the World Series for the Giants. His unorthodox style—and his goofy hair—makes him a standout in the league.

I could go on. But I think you get the point.

If different is good, unorthodox could be special. Give it a shot sometime.