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“So don’t ever worry, because anywhere you go. If you’re ever short. Back to the wall. Remember the blood. The blood.��

I watched the Sam Mendes-directed The Hills of California twice already on Broadway. Both times, I wept. The first viewing, I took advantage of the 2-for-1 ticket offer; second viewing, I scored some free tix through school! I tweeted about it after the first time, and then the show itself used my praise for sponsored content �� I love that they did, I wouldn’t mind if they sent me a hat or a t-shirt or something :)

Anyway, that masterpiece of a show was written by the Tony-winning playwright Jez Butterworth. Separately, my Technique teacher Josh brought up the character Johnny “Rooster�� Byron from Jerusalem in class as a firecracker role; a character that perhaps doesn’t learn anything. I don’t remember if that’s exactly what he said, but Johnny is such a tragic, sad character. But I suppose it depends? Maybe he really gets stuff more than us; but he numbs himself so much with the hard drugs and liquor, and while he has a natural empathy for the burnouts and outcasts of rural Britain (and is salvation for some young people who are most likely being abused in their family homes), it still takes a toll. Whatever Johnny needed to “learn�� he simply knows already; and knowledge is a curse for him.

“School is a lie. Prison’s a waste of time. Girls are wondrous. Grab your fill. No man was ever lain in his barrow wishing he’d loved one less woman. Don’t listen to no one and nothing but what your own heart bids. Lie. Cheat. Steal. Fight to the death. Don’t give up. Show me your teeth.��

There are some rich, meaty dialogue exchanges here. Frequently funny, at times vicious. There are a few truly grounded moments, and the first time we meet Johnny’s ex-wife Dawn and his estranged six-year-old son, the whole idea of that scene, and how loaded & pissed Johnny was during it �� it’s so sad. Would’ve been incredible to see Mark Rylance perform this role.

“I’m heavy stone, me. You try and pick me up, I’ll break your spine.��

Johnny’s a chaotic man, but at least he’s not a hypocrite. He’s been beaten down numerous times in life, but he’s got the spirit to keep rising up. However, it’s so sad to witness how used he is to being beaten down; he’s a masochist and wants the pain. His way of living is harming his body (from being a stuntman to then donating his special blood every six weeks). He’s posturing just as much as everyone else; he tries his best to be perceived as tough, hard, all-knowing. When people try to tear him down, it doesn’t really affect him, tragically. Maybe it’s because he’s drunk out of his mind, but I believe he already knows. And there’s nothing he can, or is willing to do to change that.

“And even if you gets us all killed today, at least we’ll all show up in Heaven pissed. Cheers!��