Lessons From the Perry Como Sundae Bar
Robert Weinstein visiting with his grandmother, Rose Plotnik.Robert Weinstein (M.L.S. ’14) is studying library science by day at Pratt, but he is perhaps better known for his nocturnal theatrics. Weinstein’s paean to his grandmother Rose Plotnik recently aired on The Moth Radio Hour.
The story begins with Weinstein saddened because his grandmother wasn’t recognizing him anymore. He was sitting with her in her wheelchair in the community room of her nursing home on the occasion of a social where Perry Como was playing and ice cream was being served. Weinstein was melancholy. He didn’t like Perry Como. And he didn’t like ice cream. But he did like Rose. What ensued would lighten everyone’s hearts.
Weinstein majored in theater as an undergraduate at the University of Kansas, studied drama in Europe after graduating, and worked in Off- Off- Broadway and television as an actor, writer, and producer for years before returning to school at Pratt. He developed his Moth story while doing a workshop on “Storytelling” at the Magnet Improv in Manhattan. Over six weeks his classmates helped him hone the story about his grandmother and when, six months later, The Moth announced they were going to hold a story slam on the theme of “ego” he saw his opening. Alas, the night Weinstein told his story, he was trumped for first place by someone who told a story about how he decided to become his high school’s premiere pole vaulter as a means to achieving popularity.
When Weinstein finishes his degree at Pratt he hopes to do community outreach at a public library. “Libraries have to reflect community need. This is what I am learning at Pratt,” said Weinstein. “Things like e-books and streaming media are now available at home and on mobile devices, so libraries need to keep changing and reflect the needs of the community. Access to technology and computers is still a huge need, but many potential users are quite fearful of the unknown. We need to reach out to these people and see how we can best help them, be it with creating a resume, finding a job, doing their taxes, or providing afterschool help to kids.”
Text: Bay Brown
Photo: Eleanor Weinstein
Gateway Editors
Reader Comments (2)
Both the story and your narration of it were beautiful. It was like hearing an Adagio thoughtfully played, leaving the listener in a reflective space (until the onset of boisterous clapping and hooting). I can think of several audiences who would be most appreciative of hearing your story, and have forwarded the audio link to several friends. Too bad that storytelling is sometimes treated as a competitive sport and as an opportunity for gladiatorial clapping and hooting. The exquisiteness of the story speaks for itself. Thank you! May the Muses continue to inspire.
Barbara Fraser
(musician, sometime poet, former music librarian, &
current member of the 'Sunset' demographic)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada