Along with a good number of New Yorkers, I went to see The Christians fully ready to celebrate a roasting, lampooning and biting satire on those who call themselves fundamental Christians – – but boy did I receive a sit down and shut up moment!
From the first moment that the church choir shuffled their way on stage and that ridiculous electronic “magic organ” played I was armed and ready. The faces of that pudgy, white chorus with their sweet, sweet, oh so sweet faces and women with only reasonable makeup and reasonable shoes started to do their thing, I sharpened my fangs and thought I was in for a treat. Pastors wife was sitting there so composed and elegant with that somewhat superior smile, church elder grasping the bible (the only things older then he) and the pastor went to the pulpit. Ready, set – – oooops Continue reading The Christians→
Work calls and I am packing my bags to return to Jacksonville, Florida to begin teaching my 22nd year of teaching theatre at a high school for the perormings arts. It wont’ be until late September that I will likely be able to get back to NY and feed my addiction.
This summer has been wonderful for theatre. It has been a long time since I have seen such diversity. I am so struck by the work of Annie Baker with her successful prodction of The Flick and her less then satisfactory John. However, the concept of taking the stage pause to a whole new level is quite an exploration – – so close to being beautiful and so close to being just boring. I am wondering how other playwrights are going to pick up on this trend.
While I am off the New York theatre scene for a month, I do invite you to switch over to my new blog, Theatre Class Addict at www.theatreclassaddict.com to followings the musings of a 22 year veteran of the theatre classroom preparing classes that I have taught for years and ones that I am just creating from scratch. I would really love your feedback. How fun this has been! – – to think that someone out there may actually read this – – and more – how fun to excicercise my voice and opinion. Till September.
Miss Julie
produced by Theatre of the Nations, Moscow
written by August Strindberg
adapted by Mikhail Durnenkov
Lincoln Center Festival
directed by Thomas Ostermeier
July 27, 2015 Production website 💉 out of 5
What in the hell was I supposed to be watching? I had the following choices throughout the entire production:
1. Snow falling around the circular revolving stage.
2. Sub-titles in 3 various screens.
3. A giant screen upstage with a down camera focused on the kitchen sink and stove top as food was made and dishes left dirty. For at least 30 minutes we simply watched a pile of dirty dishes being projected on the 20’ upstage screen.
4. And, oh, the actors – – them too.
Smartly I got tickets a good deal of distance from the stage so that my neck wasn’t unduly dislocated. Continue reading Miss Julie→
It Should Have Been You
books and lyrics by Brian Hargrove
music and concept by Barbara Anselmi
directed by David Hyde Pierce
starring Tyne Daly
July 26, 2015 Production website 💉💉💉 out of 5.
I never expected this to be such a sweet experience. Although the story of the day-of-the-wedding-blues and accombant regret has been told over and over – It Should Have Been You seemed oh, so fresh to me. The play was certainly built on the fun of the Jewish family marrying up with the decidedly not-Jewish. The wit is quick. The mother-in-laws, featuring Tyne Daly and Harriet Harris simply rock with comic timing, but it is the big, belting number of the plus-size sister played by Tony-nominee Sierra Goggess that sealed the success of the matinee. Her anthem, “Jenny’s Blues” nearly brought the house to its feet. She so deserved each and every moment. Continue reading It Should Have Been You→
John
by Annie Baker
directed by Sam Gold
Signature Theatre
July 25, 2015 Production website
NO 💉. I would rather go into rehab. Thank you very much.
I have broken a personal record: I have see the very WORST PLAY I have ever seen in NYC. The only reason that I stayed beyond the first hour and the first of two intermissions is that I wanted to see if, in some way, a play could take me from totally numb to comotose. I am one to NEVER nod off in a play – – but, oh what a relieve that would be here. AND the ironic thing is that this play (loosely used term) is by Annie Baker, the author of my favorite play of the summer, The Flick. Continue reading John→
The Christians
