Repression can be the actions of government, society, or an individual of subduing someone or something by force. But when it is the action or process of suppressing a thought or desire in oneself so that it remains unconscious, that can lead to explosive and tragic outcomes as we saw last Sunday at a gay night club in Orlando. Modern theater, ever since Nora slammed the door and walked away from repression at the end of Ibsen's play THE DOLL HOUSE, has dealt with the topic. And so, in a way, it was so apt that America's celebration of what is best in live Theater, the Tony Awards, followed on the heels of the horror.
Indeed, actor Frank Langella who won at Tony for lead actor for his role in THE FATHER addressed the situation head on: “I found some words that will mean more to you than a list of names,” Langella said about halfway through his speech. “When something bad happens we have three choices: we let it define us, we let it destroy us, or we let it strengthen us. Today in Orlando we had a hideous dose of reality, and I urge you, Orlando, to remain strong.” The actor closed his remarks by saying, “We will be with you every step of the way.”
