Monday, December 31, 2007
Your Top 10 2007 Theatre Picks?
So Karen D'Souza from the Merc published her top 10 local theatre picks for the year 2007.
a) I think it's sad I've seen NONE of them. Proves that I totally de-emphasized attending cultural events this year...from theatre to concerts to even movies in the movie theatre. When I focus on work, I really focus. It can be a great thing. It can be a little too much too.
b) I also think it's sad that a San Jose columnist has only one show on her list that wasn't in San Francisco or Berkeley. having not seen a lot of theatre in any part of the Bay Area this year I can't say whether it's a sad statement about the state of South Bay and Peninsula theatre or a sad statement about the pretentious preference our San Jose paper shows for theatre from our friends to the North and East, but it's sad either way.
I'm not saying I had any transcendent San Jose theatre experiences, I probably didn't, but then I went to the theatre only about half a dozen times this year! (Ouch.) The only transcendent experience I had was Spring Awakening in New York.
So, those of you who DID see a lot of great theatre this year...what is D'Souza missing?
a) I think it's sad I've seen NONE of them. Proves that I totally de-emphasized attending cultural events this year...from theatre to concerts to even movies in the movie theatre. When I focus on work, I really focus. It can be a great thing. It can be a little too much too.
b) I also think it's sad that a San Jose columnist has only one show on her list that wasn't in San Francisco or Berkeley. having not seen a lot of theatre in any part of the Bay Area this year I can't say whether it's a sad statement about the state of South Bay and Peninsula theatre or a sad statement about the pretentious preference our San Jose paper shows for theatre from our friends to the North and East, but it's sad either way.
I'm not saying I had any transcendent San Jose theatre experiences, I probably didn't, but then I went to the theatre only about half a dozen times this year! (Ouch.) The only transcendent experience I had was Spring Awakening in New York.
So, those of you who DID see a lot of great theatre this year...what is D'Souza missing?
Sunday, December 23, 2007
My review of SJ Rep's "This Wonderful Life"
Sunday, December 16, 2007
It's all Sweeney, all the time
And to continue my Sweeney-posting trend, here is this morning's article in the NY Times about Sondheim, and how he approached slicing and dicing his murderous masterpiece for the silver screen.
And slice and dice it he did. Sounds like much of the great score is on the cutting room floor. And unlike a musical like, say, Rent, where you sit through the half of the score that is forgettable to get to the brilliant, about 100% of Sweeney is brilliant.
Is it tragic? Perhaps not if, as Sondheim himself avers, it makes it a great movie, not just a filming of a stage show.
Continue to be incredibly curious and all worked up with anticipation.
And slice and dice it he did. Sounds like much of the great score is on the cutting room floor. And unlike a musical like, say, Rent, where you sit through the half of the score that is forgettable to get to the brilliant, about 100% of Sweeney is brilliant.
Is it tragic? Perhaps not if, as Sondheim himself avers, it makes it a great movie, not just a filming of a stage show.
Continue to be incredibly curious and all worked up with anticipation.
Labels: Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd
Friday, December 14, 2007
BroadwayWorld has Sweeney Todd's opening credit clip
Big focus on blood.
Sondheim score intact.
Who knows...maybe I'll end up not liking the film because Tim Burton focuses too much on the gore!?
Sondheim score intact.
Who knows...maybe I'll end up not liking the film because Tim Burton focuses too much on the gore!?
Labels: Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
More on the Sweeney Debate: Will the non-musical trailers piss off moviegoers?
Check out the passionate comment thread on this post at the Entertainment Weekly blog.
I've brought up the same apprehension: that the lack of music in the movie trailers for Sweeney Todd may mean that some movie goers are taken by surprise by just how musical the movie is. and that they won't like being misled.
Of course some of the commenters think that assumes that moviegoers are culturally illiterate folk who not only are unaware of Sweeney Todd, but don't research their movie selections online before they head out. Yeah? So? :)
I really hate the commenters who contend that Sondheim's score is "unmelodic". So not true. That score if full of soaring heart-breaking melodies!!!
Well, we're a mere week away from the film's opening. Color me excited.
I've brought up the same apprehension: that the lack of music in the movie trailers for Sweeney Todd may mean that some movie goers are taken by surprise by just how musical the movie is. and that they won't like being misled.
Of course some of the commenters think that assumes that moviegoers are culturally illiterate folk who not only are unaware of Sweeney Todd, but don't research their movie selections online before they head out. Yeah? So? :)
I really hate the commenters who contend that Sondheim's score is "unmelodic". So not true. That score if full of soaring heart-breaking melodies!!!
Well, we're a mere week away from the film's opening. Color me excited.
Labels: Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Taye Diggs teaching dance in campbell...is this for reals?
OK, I got the following email. I'm not sure i've gone into it here, but I am a bit of a Taye Diggs fan. Often calling him my other, other boyfriend (Seal being my first boyfriend and Johnny Depp being my second.)
Today I got this email from the parent of a kid in theatre (who I'm not sure I actually know):
Am I the victim of a prank or what? Yes, I know Taye was a song and dance guy (in the original casts of Rent and The Wild Party, and in the movie Chicago.) And I did find a dance studio called The Dance Zone in West San Jose. But there's no mention of this auspicious event, and what would bring Taye...currently co-starring in a hit primetime series, to San Jose?
Well, there is the writer's strike I guess.
Still, can it be for real, this arrival of Taye Diggs, like manna from heaven, to dispense dancing wisdom upon us?
Who has more scoopage? I am in serious need of scoopage. And perhaps a laminated card a la Friends, so my S.O. (now my husband) will give me a free pass for Taye. (I'm sure Idina won't mind, right?)
Today I got this email from the parent of a kid in theatre (who I'm not sure I actually know):
I wanted to let you know that xx' (The artist formerly known as "xx" from xx) dance studio, "The Dance Zone" will be hosting a Master Dance Workshop with Taye Diggs, star of Private Practice.
Here are the details:
February 24th between 1pm and 5:00pm
Campbell Community Center
1.5 hour Hip Hop Class
1.5 hour Contemporary Jazz Class
$40 for one class
$60 for both classes
$20 to observe the classes and meet Taye
The classes will be geared to the advanced dancer.
If you are interested in participating in the dance classes or in being an observer let me know and I can arrange to get you tickets. Spaces are limited so reserve your spot now!
Thanks,
Jane Doe
(408) xxx-xxxx-cell
Jane_doe@xxxxxxx.net
Am I the victim of a prank or what? Yes, I know Taye was a song and dance guy (in the original casts of Rent and The Wild Party, and in the movie Chicago.) And I did find a dance studio called The Dance Zone in West San Jose. But there's no mention of this auspicious event, and what would bring Taye...currently co-starring in a hit primetime series, to San Jose?
Well, there is the writer's strike I guess.
Still, can it be for real, this arrival of Taye Diggs, like manna from heaven, to dispense dancing wisdom upon us?
Who has more scoopage? I am in serious need of scoopage. And perhaps a laminated card a la Friends, so my S.O. (now my husband) will give me a free pass for Taye. (I'm sure Idina won't mind, right?)
Labels: Taye Diggs
