Summary: After a battle erupts over whether to allow kids to play basketball in a scruffy Chicago park, neighbors rally and defeat the machine-backed alderman who turned against them. David meets Goliath in the biggest election surprise in recent city history.
Longhaul Productions has done a nice job of capturing this sound rich neighborhood struggle over the revitalization Chicago's Unity Playlot. The piece opens with a Joel Monarch song about the park, an innovative touch. While the piece is very Chicago-centric, little details (like the bit about Greek food) and well-realized characters make this a vivid tale, appropriate for listeners across the country. An uncommon story of citizens coming together in an insular age, this piece would complement any programming about democracy or community. Unfortunately missing from this piece are many voices of the young people who use the park.
Comments for Meet Me at Unity Playlot
This piece belongs to the series "Homeplace Series"
Produced by Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister
Other pieces by Long Haul Productions
Rating Summary
1 comment
Kerry Seed
Posted on December 08, 2004 at 04:59 PM | Permalink
Review of Meet Me at Unity Playlot
Longhaul Productions has done a nice job of capturing this sound rich neighborhood struggle over the revitalization Chicago's Unity Playlot. The piece opens with a Joel Monarch song about the park, an innovative touch. While the piece is very Chicago-centric, little details (like the bit about Greek food) and well-realized characters make this a vivid tale, appropriate for listeners across the country. An uncommon story of citizens coming together in an insular age, this piece would complement any programming about democracy or community. Unfortunately missing from this piece are many voices of the young people who use the park.