No wrong answers

Except for the men in their prison uniforms, this Sunday night performance looks like any other recital, but without the punch and mixed nuts. In fact, the gym that serves as the recital hall looks like any other gym, except there are no bleachers. Those were removed after some inmates tried to use them to go over the razor wire that is so prevalent around the grounds.

You notice it as you drive up, but especially as you go through the checkpoints to get in.

Most of that is forgotten once you enter the gym and are warmly greeted by inmates who introduce themselves with hellos and handshakes.

The program begins with “How Majestic the Expanse” by Shawna Wolf, then Mulcahy opens the floor for discussion.

Three or four men share their thoughts on what they heard or felt listening to the piece. Around the room, the rest of the audience listens quietly while a few nod in agreement at what they hear. For her part, Mulcahy doesn’t try to lead, correct, judge or in any way influence the discussion, except to encourage the men to say what they think.

“There are no wrong answers,” she says at one point.

This is the key to the whole recital, she says later, and it’s the reason she believes the audiences have gotten larger each of the five times she has returned to perform at Walker State over the last three years. Twenty-five preapproved men attended the first. Now, anyone who wants to sign up to attend is allowed.