Monday, October 31, 2005
Lengthy NY Times article on the new Broadway "Sweeney"
It sounds fascinating and looks bare and creepy.
And Patty LuPone plays the tuba.
Really, who knew?
Well, actually, probably Foothill alum Cath Sheldon would have known, because she went to high school with Patty!
And Patty LuPone plays the tuba.
Really, who knew?
Well, actually, probably Foothill alum Cath Sheldon would have known, because she went to high school with Patty!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Foothill Drama Department presents "A Penny for a Song"
Monday, October 24, 2005
My review of the National Tour of Little Women
Sunday, October 23, 2005
THe Light in the Piazza Review
Advice for actors
Joshua James has written a very long and very funny post advising actors on how not to be a jerk, no-talent, annoying actor that never gets work because the word spreads.
I cannot do it justice, you simply must read it.
I would just like to add something building on what one of Joshua's commenters said. Joshue makes a point of noting how one should respect the protocol of who gives who advice and notes.
As one of his commenters points out: actors should never give other actors notes, critiques, ine readings, suggestions.
I cannot agree more. It is so not our job. And, in fact, it is against Equity rules to do so. So next time some pompous, know-it-all actor takes it upon him or herself to tell you how to do your job, tell them to back off!
Oh, and if an actor is perverting either the lines or the staging in such a way that it is interfering with you doing your job and you feel something really must be said, take it up with the director if you are in rehearsals or alternatively, with the stage manager if you are already in performance.
I have done this, and it may seem like tattling, but it's not. It's the proper way to handle it.
Hat tip to SpearBearer Down Left for the link to Joshua's piece.
I cannot do it justice, you simply must read it.
I would just like to add something building on what one of Joshua's commenters said. Joshue makes a point of noting how one should respect the protocol of who gives who advice and notes.
As one of his commenters points out: actors should never give other actors notes, critiques, ine readings, suggestions.
I cannot agree more. It is so not our job. And, in fact, it is against Equity rules to do so. So next time some pompous, know-it-all actor takes it upon him or herself to tell you how to do your job, tell them to back off!
Oh, and if an actor is perverting either the lines or the staging in such a way that it is interfering with you doing your job and you feel something really must be said, take it up with the director if you are in rehearsals or alternatively, with the stage manager if you are already in performance.
I have done this, and it may seem like tattling, but it's not. It's the proper way to handle it.
Hat tip to SpearBearer Down Left for the link to Joshua's piece.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Review of "The Light in the Piazza" is coming...
Yes, I chose "The Light in the Piazza." I'm still in NY, so full review is yet to come, but I will say this: it was lovely and most of all because sometimes I still want to hear non-power-pop singing and non-sung-through scores!
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Oh, and in case you didn't put 2+2 together...
I'll be out of town for a few days, but I and the blog will return next week. Obviously with a Broadway show review in hand.
If you had but one day in NYC?
I'm leaving for NYC in a couple of hours. And although I'll be there for longer than one day, I'm going on business and really only have one chance to see a show: tomorrow's matinee.
If you had only one shot to see a Broadway show with today's line-up...what would you see?
Spamalot is silly fun I'm sure, and that Tony-winning chick is leaving soon, so it's sort of the last chance to see her in her star-making role.
Light in the Piazza looks just lovely.
The Spelling Bee show looks fun.
Doubt is supposed to be great, and I'd love to see Cherry Jones if she's still in it.
I could let fate decide and just show up at TKTS and see what's there. Or I could pick exactly what I want to see and walk up to the box office to pay full price for a single ticket.
Any suggestions?
If you had only one shot to see a Broadway show with today's line-up...what would you see?
Spamalot is silly fun I'm sure, and that Tony-winning chick is leaving soon, so it's sort of the last chance to see her in her star-making role.
Light in the Piazza looks just lovely.
The Spelling Bee show looks fun.
Doubt is supposed to be great, and I'd love to see Cherry Jones if she's still in it.
I could let fate decide and just show up at TKTS and see what's there. Or I could pick exactly what I want to see and walk up to the box office to pay full price for a single ticket.
Any suggestions?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Review: BBB "Ragtime"
Since we had so many Foothill alums in the Broadway by the Bay production of Ragtime (closed now sadly) thought you might be interested in my review of their closing performance here.
To further expand, the alums all did great. It was especially nice to see Kieleil step up into the role of Coalhouse!
Congrats to everyone for a fine show (which looked very familiar!)
To further expand, the alums all did great. It was especially nice to see Kieleil step up into the role of Coalhouse!
Congrats to everyone for a fine show (which looked very familiar!)
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Some new theatre blogs are out there
Hey, maybe theatre blogging is catching on. You'll notice I've added a few more to the side bar, namely:
Mirror Up To Nature, by a Boston-based theatre person; Spearbearer Down Left, by a San Diego-based theatre person and Theatre Ideas by a North Carolina-based theatre person.
These bloggers are way more philosophical than I am, and I look forward to subscribing to them all...and hopefully joining in on the conversation when I get a chance.
Mirror Up To Nature, by a Boston-based theatre person; Spearbearer Down Left, by a San Diego-based theatre person and Theatre Ideas by a North Carolina-based theatre person.
These bloggers are way more philosophical than I am, and I look forward to subscribing to them all...and hopefully joining in on the conversation when I get a chance.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Playwright August Wilson dead at the age of (only) 60
August Wilson is dead.
That is far too young.
Theatre people love theatre, but most of us can list on one hand the top theatre going experiences of our lifetimes. Shows that didn't just entertainment or thrill or amuse or move, but that shook us deeply...whether with joy or anguish (and sometimes both.
Mine include the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd, the Steppenwolf production of The Grapes of Wrath on Broadway...and the original Broadway production of August Wilson's Fences starring James Earl Jones, Mary Alice and Courtney Vance.
I'll never forget the moment when Alice's long-suffering wife finally lets out her pent-up anger and frustration, physically flailing at Jones' imposing presence. Some weeks later I rode the elevator in the Equity building with Alice. When one lives in NY or LA, one typically tries to act all nonchalant with the stars one sees. But I had to say something to Ms. Alice. She was kind and self-effacing.
Of course Fences was an early work in Wilson's ongoing telling of the story of African American life. He went on to tell many more stories. And he likely had a few more in him that never got out. More's the pity.
That is far too young.
Theatre people love theatre, but most of us can list on one hand the top theatre going experiences of our lifetimes. Shows that didn't just entertainment or thrill or amuse or move, but that shook us deeply...whether with joy or anguish (and sometimes both.
Mine include the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd, the Steppenwolf production of The Grapes of Wrath on Broadway...and the original Broadway production of August Wilson's Fences starring James Earl Jones, Mary Alice and Courtney Vance.
I'll never forget the moment when Alice's long-suffering wife finally lets out her pent-up anger and frustration, physically flailing at Jones' imposing presence. Some weeks later I rode the elevator in the Equity building with Alice. When one lives in NY or LA, one typically tries to act all nonchalant with the stars one sees. But I had to say something to Ms. Alice. She was kind and self-effacing.
Of course Fences was an early work in Wilson's ongoing telling of the story of African American life. He went on to tell many more stories. And he likely had a few more in him that never got out. More's the pity.
