Social scientists have pointed out the decline of membership in clubs, unions, civic organizations, scouting, and churches; the bonds of community have been fraying for decades as people retreat into their virtual lives and politics becomes the main source of identity. Theater still brings us together. The experience can’t be digitized. Being together, hearing a laugh or a sob caught in the throat, is solidifying. And when the house lights come on and we stand and look into each other’s faces, there’s acknowledgment that our feelings are shared and we’ve melded, at least for that moment, into
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