Every year at this time, about 1,000 folks come to Columbus to protest the School of the Americas at Ft. Benning because the school trained some soldiers who killed eight people in 1989 in San Salvador. Over the years, the protest has become more about protesting than about any particular thing. The folks in Columbus love the School and love the protestors because they fill up the hotels and restaurants.

Most years, a celebrity joins the protest. Martin Sheen has been here as has Pete Seegar and the Indigo Girls. This year it's Bo Bartlett.

Bo who?

Bo Bartlett is a fairly signifcant painter in the Wyeth style. Some of his work is quite good. Here is one called "The Goddess".

He was asked if he had done any paintings about the protest. He replied that he had done the one below which is called "The forge". Beating swords into plowshares.

The Columbus Museum of Art has one of Bartlett's paintings. This one is 8 feet by 10 feet and is titled "Homecoming". There's so much symbolism in it it's a wonder it doesn't bring down the wall with the weight. It occupies a prominent place in the museum's collection

Columbus State University Theater

The problem with college theater is that it varies from high school with money to small professional and you never know which one you're going to get. Columbus State University's theater season had a rocky start with its production of "Bat Boy the musical" but its current production of Rebecca Gilman's searing story of male/female relations and stalking, Boy gets Girl", shines in many places.
Gilman's play has begun to seem dated with its references to a rollodex, etc. but its exploration of the male and female psyche still resonnates. CSU's sets were distracting and recalcitrant-the audience actually applauded when they worked-but the direction by student Krystine Summers was crisp and persuasive.
"Boy gets Girl" depends on it's lead to be believable and sympathetic and Samantha May as Thereasa delivers the goods. Both angry and vulnerable, she brings an acting sophistication to the part rarely seen in college productions. Ethan Everett as the stalker Tony reminds us of our own dating inadequacies and we are drawn to him until we realize there's wolf underneath.
Dureyea Rashad Collier as the breast obsessed film producer is an inspired choice as he takes a part 50 years his senior.
College productions depend on direction and this one is served well. One hopes that it will set a standard for the rest of the season.