Genius in Love
Viewing comments for Chapter 18 "Genius in Love: Scene Finale"In Search of a Soul
29 total reviews
Comment from Father Flaps
Wow! Jay, you've done such a terrific job finishing off this play. The piano pieces you chose for Cornie's performance were perfect. It's no wonder that Cornie selected "Way Down Upon The Swanee River", dressed up in Boogie-Woogie. The slaves back in the late 1800's just wanted to go back home. They wanted peace and fair play. They wanted family. But many were sold, here and there. Lives torn apart. Separation. Cornie knew what separation was all about. The kids at school teased him everyday... because he was different. Just as the slaves were different. But everyone matters. Everyone deserves respect. And Cornie hammered out that song! It meant something to him.
Many things I enjoyed about this finale, Jay... Howard was pleased as punch, Cililla the cheerleader showed her encouraging ways (we can take a lesson from her), Cornie's special request to have Jennie accompanying him to the piano, the meaning of the song (to me anyway), the applause of the kids who teased him, the lingering bow, and the chant: "Cornie! Cornie!"
Now, I wonder... is this the end of Cililla? Will Cornelius still need her? Or has she done her job? I suppose I say this because it echoes "Puff, the Magic Dragon". As Peter Paul & Mary sang...
"A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave
So Puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave
Oh, Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee"
Undoubtedly, Cornie's self-confidence will begin to blossom now. He will finally be able to lift his head and smile. It will take time, but he's only around 14 years old.
Well done, Jay!!! I think you really pulled it off. I'd give you 10 stars if I could. Thanks for writing this play. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Kimbob
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
  |
Wow! Jay, you've done such a terrific job finishing off this play. The piano pieces you chose for Cornie's performance were perfect. It's no wonder that Cornie selected "Way Down Upon The Swanee River", dressed up in Boogie-Woogie. The slaves back in the late 1800's just wanted to go back home. They wanted peace and fair play. They wanted family. But many were sold, here and there. Lives torn apart. Separation. Cornie knew what separation was all about. The kids at school teased him everyday... because he was different. Just as the slaves were different. But everyone matters. Everyone deserves respect. And Cornie hammered out that song! It meant something to him.
Many things I enjoyed about this finale, Jay... Howard was pleased as punch, Cililla the cheerleader showed her encouraging ways (we can take a lesson from her), Cornie's special request to have Jennie accompanying him to the piano, the meaning of the song (to me anyway), the applause of the kids who teased him, the lingering bow, and the chant: "Cornie! Cornie!"
Now, I wonder... is this the end of Cililla? Will Cornelius still need her? Or has she done her job? I suppose I say this because it echoes "Puff, the Magic Dragon". As Peter Paul & Mary sang...
"A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave
So Puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave
Oh, Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee"
Undoubtedly, Cornie's self-confidence will begin to blossom now. He will finally be able to lift his head and smile. It will take time, but he's only around 14 years old.
Well done, Jay!!! I think you really pulled it off. I'd give you 10 stars if I could. Thanks for writing this play. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Kimbob
Comment Written 04-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
-
Kimbob, you made writing this play worthwhile. Voices like yours are how Geniuses like Joyce and Faulkner were made. I was just happy to find a boogie-woogie piece played by a boy of about Cornelius's age. I hadn't thought of the symbolic backstory to the Swanee River image. But over time I'm sure I can be persuaded to say, "Sure, that's exactly what had in mind when I chose that song!
Thank you though for adding another level of depth to the play, Kimbob. And also the glorious connection with Puff the Magic Dragon. That gave roots to the theme.
You are astounding, Sir!
-
The pleasure was all mine, Jay! The characters in this play will stick in my pointed head a long time. They were real.
Comment from Bill Schott
FINAL CURTAIN! Well, this is certainly a triumphant finish for Cornelius Plumb and his inner guide, for lack of a better term, Cililla Queez. Dad comes to terms with his son's struggle and seems to grow closer to his wife. Jennie Jax's relationship to our hero is cemented. Jeff Hallows witnesses a breakthrough with Cornie and the world meets this incredible lad.
If this is truly the end then I must tell you that this character and his journey was terrific to watch come together. I've always admired your style, Jay, and this project of yours to establish a script with Cornelius's story is another example of your astounding ability to entertain the reader.
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
|
FINAL CURTAIN! Well, this is certainly a triumphant finish for Cornelius Plumb and his inner guide, for lack of a better term, Cililla Queez. Dad comes to terms with his son's struggle and seems to grow closer to his wife. Jennie Jax's relationship to our hero is cemented. Jeff Hallows witnesses a breakthrough with Cornie and the world meets this incredible lad.
If this is truly the end then I must tell you that this character and his journey was terrific to watch come together. I've always admired your style, Jay, and this project of yours to establish a script with Cornelius's story is another example of your astounding ability to entertain the reader.
Comment Written 04-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
-
You make me want to weep, Bill. How lofty a goal it is to try to entertain the reader. That you say I have entertained the reader with this play, makes me weak in the joints. I can't afford too much of that, pal. Thank you so VERY MUCH!
Comment from Versch
Wow! This is an exceptional piece of script, complete with the music. It's amazing how professionally you write everything with attention to every detail. The settings, prompts, even the bold and normal font to differentiate the dialogues and stage directions. Realistic dialogues too. Just awesome!
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
|
Wow! This is an exceptional piece of script, complete with the music. It's amazing how professionally you write everything with attention to every detail. The settings, prompts, even the bold and normal font to differentiate the dialogues and stage directions. Realistic dialogues too. Just awesome!
Comment Written 04-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
-
Versh, you make me proud to have written this. Thank you for that. You may not realize how the memory of your kind words will take me into the future of my projects. You are appreciated.
-
You're welcome, Jay! And keep up the great work!
Best wishes,
Ver
Comment from Hitcher
You set the scene well Jay and it is a scene I know quite well. My youngest daughter has gone through many end of year music recitals and final exams, She is 17 now, writes her own music and plays beautifully. This year has seen her with her first boyfriend too, a young musician too : ))
Your story was well constructed, emotional on my different levels and and thoroughly enjoyable : ))
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
|
You set the scene well Jay and it is a scene I know quite well. My youngest daughter has gone through many end of year music recitals and final exams, She is 17 now, writes her own music and plays beautifully. This year has seen her with her first boyfriend too, a young musician too : ))
Your story was well constructed, emotional on my different levels and and thoroughly enjoyable : ))
Comment Written 04-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
-
Thank you, Hitcher. I'm glad my play reminded you of your daughter's journey to play her music beautifully. And your daughter has a boyfriend. With the memory of that serious expression on your biopic face guiding the lad on his first date with your daughter, I'm sure he'll be toeing the line! LOL, thanks for the six stars, my friend.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This long play draws to it's close at a logical point, the end of the school year and graduation. It seems that Cornelius finally comes into his own and starts to believe in himself - very satisfying conclusion.
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
 |
This long play draws to it's close at a logical point, the end of the school year and graduation. It seems that Cornelius finally comes into his own and starts to believe in himself - very satisfying conclusion.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
-
Thank you, Katherine. I must say, I'm happy this play has come to its natural conclusion. I appreciate your kind words and the shiny stars!
Comment from Judy Lawless
Wow! You are right, Jay, I love Cornelius! And even Howard. Everyone got what they needed from this performance and you've written it all so well. For the first time I really paid attention to the stage directions too.
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
|
Wow! You are right, Jay, I love Cornelius! And even Howard. Everyone got what they needed from this performance and you've written it all so well. For the first time I really paid attention to the stage directions too.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 04-Oct-2021
-
You've made my evening, Judy. Thanks for taking the stage directions seriously. I must admit, I would find it nearly impossible to stop my reading in the middle of a scene to listen to the music. But I tested it out myself and was able to visualize Cornelius and Jennie on that piano bench, rockin' out!
Comment from Ulla
Jay, this was a grand finale. No pun intended. I have to admire you how you've handled, not only the script, but the whole concept of autism especially in a setting of 1952 where, I dare say, not many understood it, at all.
But Cornelius had his night of triumph, and it was good to see that even his father seemed to finally understand him a bit more.
It's been a joy to follow along. I will miss it. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
|
Jay, this was a grand finale. No pun intended. I have to admire you how you've handled, not only the script, but the whole concept of autism especially in a setting of 1952 where, I dare say, not many understood it, at all.
But Cornelius had his night of triumph, and it was good to see that even his father seemed to finally understand him a bit more.
It's been a joy to follow along. I will miss it. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
-
Saying you will miss it, is the grandest thing you can say to a writer at the end of a project. I thank you, Ulla, for your loyalty and support. Your sixes, too, made a good testament. Bless you.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I loved it!!! Thank you for sharing and sharing the music. I especially liked the second video. I also like that Howard is finally beginning to understand his son. Many parents never do.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
|
I loved it!!! Thank you for sharing and sharing the music. I especially liked the second video. I also like that Howard is finally beginning to understand his son. Many parents never do.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
-
I hope the ending wasn't too Hollywoodish, Barbara. It called to mind as I wrote it, the early Rock and Roll movies during a time when parents felt the music was from the Devil and existed only to pervert their children. The movies almost always ended with a "sock hop" when the mayor and his wife did a very fast two-step to "Rock Around the Clock" amid the patient and understanding laughter of the kids, who, of course, did it the right way.
Thank you, Barbara, for being with this for the long haul. I'm glad you found it meaningful and entertaining. Your six stars is a loved triumph!
Comment from lancellot
This ends on a pleasant high note, with your MC doing what he does best, looking adorable and playing the piano to the audience's delight. Congratulations on completing your play.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
|
This ends on a pleasant high note, with your MC doing what he does best, looking adorable and playing the piano to the audience's delight. Congratulations on completing your play.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
-
A tad too Hollywoodish?
-
Nothing wrong with that. An artist's job is to give the people what they want.
Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan
Bravo Jay Squires! That was a terrific effort to pull off a complicated story and script. I strongly feel that this would make a great play on stage. It has all the ingredients ( In India we call it Masala-Spices )to make the audience stand and clap. That was a 'feel-good' finale. I'm standing and clapping!
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
|
Bravo Jay Squires! That was a terrific effort to pull off a complicated story and script. I strongly feel that this would make a great play on stage. It has all the ingredients ( In India we call it Masala-Spices )to make the audience stand and clap. That was a 'feel-good' finale. I'm standing and clapping!
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
-
I'll have to settle for watching my good friend Seshadri standing up and clapping! But thank you soooo much for your kindness and for the 6 stars.