Courtesy Arts & Ideas
If someone handed you a sum of money — no strings attached — what would you do with it? You might know right away. But what if you had to get a group of other people to agree on how the money should be spent? Would you argue for a certain beneficiary? Would you let others call the shots? Would it depend on how much money?
The Money, a Kaleider production, conceived by Seth Honnor, playing through June 25 at The Quinnipiack Club, 221 Church St., as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, trusts that people find money interesting, maybe even dramatic. This isn’t Monopoly money we’re talking about; this is real U.S. currency. Each show begins with a sum on the table and a group of people gathered around it. These are the “benefactors,” who must decide what to do with the money. They are not actors. They have paid for their seats. In the outlying seats are the “silent witnesses,” who pay more for their seats and get to observe the proceedings. If they want to participate, they have to ring a bell and throw in at least $20.
No two shows are the same, but the goal is: in 90 minutes, no more, no less, the benefactors must unanimously decide on what to do with the cash, fill out a form with the specifics, and have each member sign it. If they can’t agree or decide, the money goes on to the next show.
When I saw the show — as a silent witness — on June 21, there were about 12 benefactors and one witness joined in before the show was over. The people were mostly New Haveners, and mostly over 30. There was a schoolgirl. There were four retirees. There were three or four who had experience with nonprofits, including two different theater groups. There was a couple visiting from Holland, CT. All were very polite and there was little in the way of real debate or argument. The most dramatic moment occurred early on when one of the performers, who monitor the event, had to remind witnesses that they should remain silent.
It’s not necessarily that easy to not comment when sitting in a room with a random group of people. I wanted to suggest that the benefactors introduce themselves to each other, but that didn’t happen until late in the show, after they had already agreed on the outcome. In most social occasions, people ask — maybe sometimes impertinently — “what do you do?” Wouldn’t you want to know that when trying to decide with others about how to spend money?
As it turned out in this particular show, occupation was relevant. The saving grace, for the purposes of easy resolution, was having Alison Cunningham, the executive director of Columbus House, a New Haven nonprofit that aids the homeless, present as a benefactor. She revealed her occupation once it became clear that the group was looking to do some kind of charity work with the $300 sum.
The group had no particular leader, though the two friends who were both retired teachers did the honors of reading out the rules and of keeping notes, respectively. Others participated much less, though all had a say when suggestions for recipients were being considered: art experience for the schools, the Connecticut Food Bank, animal shelters, and even, maybe, a donation to a needy family.
The last suggestion came from the discussion of how to have the most impact with the cash. The most lengthy part of the discussion came from trying to figure out a way to increase the sum. The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund looked like it might be a winner with twelve votes, but then the Rev. Kevin Ewing of Center Church on the Green, a benefactor who was anonymous at the time, Googled it and found that it doesn’t accept such small donations as investments. Some balked at the idea of giving the cash to an organization for administrative purposes; others had no problem with it.
If this doesn’t sound particularly gripping or amusing, you’re right. But that doesn’t mean it’s not interesting. The high-mindedness of this particular group in choosing to help the less fortunate and in having direct knowledge of how to facilitate that kept argument to a minimum. The talkiest parts came when the group realized there was still a lot of time to kill. Only then did they say who they were.
In being staged at the Quinnipiack Club, the show keeps up its intention of using non-theatrical spaces, preferably of a business-like nature. The one problem with that is, with no mics of any kind and a loud AC unit in the room, it’s not as easy to hear non-professional speakers as you might like.
At one point someone mentioned 12 Angry Men, the famous 1957 film about jurors who begin with a vast majority thinking the defendant is guilty, only to be convinced one by one of innocence by one hold-out. The fact that the retiree from Sikorsky, who made the first suggestion of a recipient, had already reminded me of Martin Balsam, who plays the jury foreman in the film, made the comment amusing to me. Such random coincidence might make you think there’s more to things than meets the eye. Some participants admitted to wondering if others were “plants” to cause a certain outcome or conflict.
In the early going, while recipients were being suggested, the young girl’s suggestion was to help the homeless. She didn’t say much else, but she got her wish. As it happened, June 21 was the birthday of Karen, the woman on the girl’s left. So the group sang “Happy Birthday” as the final seconds ticked off. And the gift? $320 to buy a Welcome Kit for someone with nothing.
One could imagine all kinds of different outcomes. One could decide to jump in for $20 and play devil’s advocate just to keep things lively. There might have been strong opposition to helping a particular group or cause, or intransigence over the goal. What about insisting on a donation to a particular political candidate and just not budging? But the show I saw was very reasonable and deliberative. It kind of gives you hope.
Was it a performance? Yes, because everyone was on their best behavior. Did the presence of the young girl help? I can’t say. Go see it or join in, then tell us about your experience.
The Money plays every evening at 5 p.m. through June 25 at the Quinnipiack Club, 221 Church St. Visit the Arts & Ideas website for more information.
