In 1858, after tediously dissecting unclaimed human bodies from workhouses and hospital mortuaries for 18 months, British doctor Henry Gray wrote and published a text--commonly known as Gray's Anatomy--that instantly became the standard for medical schools everywhere. I attended Megan Hardie's Anatomy class yesterday. The text has changed, but not the foundation of Gray's work.

 

We learned that the body always seeks chemical equilibrium, or homeostasis. So, for example, the contraction of muscle tissue is triggered by a momentary imbalance between sodium and potassium; an imbalance that is quickly resolved. Proctor Drama is producing Jim Leonard's Anatomy of Gray, a play with a title that is--at least--a triple entendre. At one level, we are studying the character of Galen Gray, a man of science (doctor) who literally blows into a rural, backward, small town held in the  clutches of fundamentalist religion.

 
So we're also studying the anatomy of the town, which--you guessed it--is named Gray. The introduction of a new man, a man whose reality is based on empiricism rather than faith, causes imbalance.... a loss of homeostasis. Therein lies the tension.


 

The dashing doctor cures a young woman, who quickly becomes his adherent, but the plot thickens deliciously, as we discover Dr. Gray's crisis of confidence, his shortcomings (he passes out at the sight of blood!) and the power of the mob.

 



I mentioned a triple entendre.... The world in which Gray exists is black and white. Or is it? Does Doctor Gray's introduction force the community to address middle ground? The color gray? Ah hah! The skeptical preacher, alarmed by new thinking, comes down with excruciating pain, which the good doctor diagnoses as a kidney stone, resulting in this hilarious treatment (which works!):

 

Michael Littman, the cast and crew of Anatomy of Gray should be congratulated on the production of a great show! The cast blends veterans of the Proctor stage with a host of talented newcomers.

 
The curtain goes up (figuratively) at 7:00 tonight (Friday) and tomorrow in the Norris Family Theater. Admission is free, but you are asked to contact Alex Estin at 735-6870 to reserve seats.

This is Spirit Week on campus. On Monday, we dressed as Harry Potter characters. Tuesday was twins day, and Wednesday was green & white. Thursday was clash day, meaning that we sported fashion disasters.

 
School leaders have devised a way to turn all of this nonsense into class competition. Seniors seem to be doing well.

 

That's the anatomy of a community....