Amoeba Music

When you're walking past all the asphalt and gleaming metal of the city, you forget how to feel sometimes. That never seemed to happen when you were a child. You were in tune with everything—you felt everything and wanted so much to please. Then you grew older and you noticed that the world had plans for you. If you felt something very powerful, or loved something fiercely, you learned to keep it to yourself. It hurts to contain it sometimes, but you do it all the same. For the group of disabled actors in the A.N.C.H.O.R drama program of Long Island, that is simply not a reality. What the human race has fallen out of touch with, these children and adults practice with bliss.

Every year, drama director Sandy Braun gathers the same eager actors in the program and puts on a wonderful performance with little support from outside sources. Most of the members are young adults and the disabilities range from Down syndrome as the majority, and others spanning from paralysis to several mild forms. This documentary follows the trials and tribulations of the group as it tries to pull off the best Wizard of Oz they can muster. They all gather in an auditorium and the drama director announces who received what part. I literally burst into tears when I saw their glee and satisfaction, particularly from one girl who becomes overwhelmed. The Wizard is played by a man named Josh, who is modest and pleased with the news. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Wicked Witch are played by Trisha, Danny, and Elizabeth. The star of the program, John Stare, has the role of the Cowardly Lion. Another favorite in the group is David, who plays the Tin Man.

The documentary shifts from the rehearsals, which are normally mini-disasters, to the home lives of the key actors. Each one struggles with their parts, and yet they all try harder with each meeting to give the roles their best. There are plenty of setbacks, especially with location. The rehearsals and performances are held at a middle school, which frequently uses its auditorium. Another main obstacle is the attendance of the group. Some of the more independent members have jobs and are fighting the urge to break away from the group, leaving others discouraged. As stated before, the two key subjects in the documentary are John and David. John's entire life is fueled by his love of acting and theatrics, though his mellow personality would lead you to believe otherwise. He reads the dictionary because it is a collection of words in order, and is fascinated by Eve Titus's books, Basil of Baker Street, which Disney turned into the film The Great Mouse Detective. He knows everything there is to know about his favorite films and their stars, and even pretends to be Johann Strauss at the piano. David is a young African American man who has had a neglectful upbringing and lives in a group home. Reflecting on his now deceased parents, he expresses hatred for his father and pure joy from his mother, who always supported his interests. He sings along to Barry White tapes and has several other charming qualities.

The most rewarding and inspirational quality about the film is that it reminded me of what it is like to be a child again. While many of the members in the group will eventually become restless and move away from it, most will depend on Anchor and its amazing staff to give them a sense of family. And while the tough times make it seem as though their hope is being juggled like fruit, there are some powerful moments where you can't help but envy the scope of their achievements and healthy social lives. The end of the documentary is made up of fragments from the opening day, which can only been seen as a success. This was a tender, moving documentary that I will frequently revisit when I feel weighed down by the grind and my past. Highly Recommended.