Thursday Theatre

Last night, I attended the Shakespeare in the Park to view The Tempest. It was phenominal. Yet again, this extraordinary acting troop has proven to me just how witty the Bard was. It’s unlike any high school production of Shakespeare you might have seen, the pathetic reading you partook in during literature class, or even some Hollywood recreation. Since I sat close enough to be spat on, I honestly felt like I was at the Globe last evening, except of course that I was sitting. Not standing, scrunched with the other poor folk on a sweating wooden floor. Anyway, thanks to Tracie’s Faire friends for saving the seat. I have made it all 4 years to the Shakespeare show and lament that I will not likely be here for it next year. What an amazing evening it was too!

Last Thursday I saw The Kiss of the Spiderwoman by Newline at the Art Loft. I was anxious to see the performance as the musical won the Tony the year it came out on Broadway. Plus, I love Newline. Love that we have a blackbox theatre in St. Louis. I did enjoy the show, but not as much as I’d hoped. I was quite surprised to stumble across an old friend who’d disappeared. He played one of the chorus, otherwise known as prisoners in this show, and a couple other small-name parts. Still, he was really quite excellent and I was proud of him. His friend, Nick played one of the lead roles and was stupendous as usual. A very good actor both emotionally and physically. It means a lot to be a physical actor. Unfortunately for the show, the other major player was not so good. His voice was good enough, I could look past the couple flat notes. But despite how well he played the flaming gay window dresser, Molina, he was just a little too “Jack” from Will and Grace. AND, he had no character development. I just didn’t believe him, his lines or his feelings. Which was a shame. But don’t forget I am a bit of a theatre snob. Overall, the performance WAS good. Kudos to Scott Miller for offering us interesting theatre in the Lou. Next season they are doing Jesus Christ Superstar, which is the only reason I have ever auditioned for Newline. I mean, I would love to act there in any show, but I wanted them to see my face before JCS auditions because the one role I want to play in my life is Mary Magdalene. Well, only because I couldn’t play Judas in the show. Or Pilate. Anyway… I won’t be here so phooey.

See If Anything Comes of It

How was I not aware that a movie version of Rent, one of my favorite musicals, is in production? Starring many of the original Broadway cast. My beloved Jesse Martin! And Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Taye Diggs and even Wilson!!! And Rosario Dawson stepping in for Mimi. Wow. I am so excited! It better be good! Like- Chicago good. They’d have to really mess with it for me not to love it. Just for the people who are in it. Yet, I just read this article and am a little nervous. Bringing gay marriage into it? And of course some songs are going to get cut and more dialogue added. That’s hard to imagine though. Waiting anxiously…

Disappointed by the Man

While the Cardinals were clinching their trip to the World Series last Thursday, I was watching The Man of La Mancha down at the ArtLoft on Washington. I already had the tickets and well, as much as I hope the Cardinals win, I am not personally vested in it at all.

Still, I wish I had missed the game for a better show. The Newline is undoubtedly my favorite theatre company in the area. They do strictly musicals, have a talented director and like to do shows that push the envelope- or that others in the area simply won’t do.

So it was a little odd that they were doing the slightly more traditional Man of La Mancha in the first place. But being the connoisseur that I am, I looked forward to the opportunity to see a well-known show done in one of my favorite spaces with some of my favorite actors. Plus, the Newline’s website offered all sorts of current ties between the play’s plot and today’s political climate. But I just didn’t get the connections, and neither did my companion. I am not sure why they wanted to do the show, but what was published on the website seems to be a huge stretch.

The black-box theatre was set up in the round. The troop of prisoners turned actors was dressed in rags and crawling around, under and over a two-foot platform stage. The use of space was interesting. Todd Schaefer played Don Quixote/Cervantes and did an excellent job of physically altering his appearance from young to old man. As Don Quixote, he excellently upheld his trembling old body through long periods of acting and song. I know how much energy, talent and focus that takes- having performed just a short scene in college that required similar physical control.

However, in the end, I was not fulfilled by the show. The rest of the acting and singing was serviceable, but I didn’t really enjoy the script, score and even the basic plot of the show. It wasn’t as bad as the Nervous Set, but I was disappointed.

And as we walked out of the ArtLoft down to Rue 13 to visit Khan, I heard whoops and screams and honks. Onto the World Series, as I had correctly predicted at the beginning of the post-season. But will we manage?

Reefer Madness

Saturday night I saw the play Reefer Madness performed by the Newline Theatre Company at the ArtLoft on Washington Ave. I�ve said before that Newline is my favorite theatre group in town. (Despite the fact that the last play I saw there was NOT good.) I had, actually, auditioned for and not been cast in Reefer Madness. It was disappointing, but I know it takes time to break into a solid group like this.

The show was spectacular. The ensemble was strong, but the best performances came from the lead male, Jimmy, and Ralph, played by my friend Nick. I am not just being biased about Nick, btw. Someone who went back me up here. He was stellar.

The performance was a musical spoof on the 1936 propaganda film that claimed reefer would instantaneously turn you into a bimbo or cannibal etc.

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My two cents

Songs from the Last 5 Years are running laps around my head.

And Books and Books Surround Me- Part II

The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh is a wonderful companion to the Lieutenant of Inishmore, which I saw performed in Dublin during the theatre festival in October. The characters are entwined in a wickedly witty banter that can only be pure Irish humor. If you aren�t sure what �Irish humor� really is, even though you have heard people reference it, read a play by McDonagh.