Next Up : “Getting Out” at the Adrienne
Tonight, I’m going to the show opener for Getting Out at the Adrienne Theatre (21st and Samsom in Philadelphia). It’s part of the Simpatico theatre project. It’s an arts project that believes theatre to be a force of positive social change in the world. Definitely admirable, but let’s hope they do good shows too ! You can read more about it here.My review of “Ying Tong” at the Wilma
I saw Ying Tong at the Wilma Theatre last Thursday. Now, I like comedy as much as the next guy (who doesn’t like to laugh ??), and the Wilma does amazing productions, so I had some lofty expectations. I’ll be honest, I was a bit disappointed… Now mind you, I think it was actually a great show (way to go Wilma), but I just couldn’t connect with it. First, I think wasn’t old enough to get the jokes, and second, I wasn’t British enough to get the jokes. Plain and simple, there was a generational and cultural gap, and I couldn’t get across it.Given that I was a big Monty Python fan, I thought I would get the jokes, but didn’t. So, would I recommend the show ? Yes, it’s a very solid production; however, you’ll have a much better time if you’re old and British !
Next Up : Ying Tong
I’m going to see Ying Tong at the Wilma Theatre on Thursday night. Now this is all before my time, but the way I understand it, way back in the 50’s, there was a famous radio show called The Goons. This show apparently defined sketch comedy as we know it, and heavily influenced the creation of Monty Python.Ying Tong chronicles the creation of The Goons, following it from cult icon to huge success. The Wilma does great stuff, so I’m really looking forward it !
Review : Fire Burn
I went to my hometown, Lancaster, this past weekend, and saw Fire Burn at the Theatre of the Seventh Sister. It was a staged reading, not a full-blown play. Honestly, I didn’t really care for Fire Burn, but the experience of attending a staged reading was fun.A staged reading is when the actors simply sit on stage, scripts in hand, and read through the entire play. Depending on how serious the reading is, they may rehearse once or twice, or they may rehearse six or seven times. At the performance, again, they’re sitting in chairs, and reading through the script; however, they’re still acting out the parts. It’s a great way for a playwright to see his work “on it’s feet” without the time and expense of a full-blown production.
After the performance, there is often a talk-back. During the talk-back, the playwright will join the actors on stage, and the audience members are in the spotlight. They get the chance to make or break the play. Did it suck ? Then tell them. Was it fantastic and engaging ? Tell them. Once you get comfortable being really honest, it’s terrific fun !
Reason or Faith ? Find the answer in Wittenberg
I saw Wittenberg at the Arden this past Wednesday, featuring Scott Greer as Dr. Faustus and Greg Wood as Luther. Scott is quite a prolific and talented actor in Philadelphia. Most recently, I saw him in Assassins at the Arden. I was also looking forward to seeing him in 1812’s production of This is the Week that Is; unfortunately, his understudy went on that night. I was bummed. I hear he was also pretty good in Mice and Men at The Walnut last year.Wittenberg boils down the debate of faith vs reason, in a very funny mix of old world and new world. Dr. Faustus and Luther spend two hours sparring with each other, trying to find their way to common ground. I really liked it. Yet another example of good theatre at the Arden. I couldn’t help but cheer for Faustus…. What does that say about me ??
You can get tickets here.
Final words about “The Price”
So, should you go see it ? I say yes. It ends up being a really interesting story about lifelong differences between two brothers. Is there such a thing as irreconcilable differences ? Can you make up for lost time ? Can you see through your own problems to understand someone else’s point of view ? All these questions, and more, are tackled by this show. I really enjoyed it. Plus, as always, the Walnut did a stellar job with the set. Big, and brilliantly done. Honestly, I think they built the better part of a complete house, on stage !Did I have a few quibbles ? Sure. It ran a bit long, something north of 2 hours, and it could have easily been shortened. For example, there were a few long dialogs in the 2nd act where I found myself drifting… and checking out the set. But outside of that, a really good play and production. It plays through March 1st, and you can go here for tickets.
More about “The Price”
Robert Prosky’s son, Andy, played the role of Victor. He was on stage, performing a long monologue when the stage lights slowly faded to black, and the house light slowly came up. Ooops ! But as they say, the show must go on ! And he did, flawlessly playing his role. About 30 seconds later, the house lights fade back down, and the stage lights came back up. Without missing a beat, Andy turns his head towards the audience, and with a sly smile says “Crazy lights, huh ?”. He brought down the house with laughter ! Then, like a good performer, he slipped back into his role, and moved along…My review of “The Price” at the Walnut
I saw “The Price” at the Walnut Street Theatre on Wednesday night. In some ways, kind of what I was expecting, and in other ways, totally different (that’s live theatre, eh ?). As I said a few days ago, Robert Prosky (of Hill Street Blues/Mrs. Doubtfire fame) played one of the main roles, with his two sons filling out the cast. Victor, played by the son Andy Prosky, spent the first few minutes on stage by himself. A bit of walking around, and a bit of monologue. Then you hear footsteps coming up the stairs, and Gregory Solomon (played by the senior Prosky), steps on stage…. Before he can get a word out of his mouth, the audience erupts in applause ! Just at the sight of the him ! How cool is that. Accolades for just stepping on stage. Turns out the guy has had quite the long and storied career. This guy has done it all, and he’s a Philadelphia native, to boot. So I have to admit, it was pretty fun to welcome him to the stage like that.Oops, I’ve got to run, but I’ll tell another story about the opening show tomorrow….
“The Price” is opening at the Walnut
The Price is opening at the Walnut Street Theatre this week. From the Walnut’s web site :This great American classic is one of Arthur Miller’s masterpieces. The Price is a deeply moving drama that reunites two long estranged middle-aged brothers. Nostalgia and recrimination erupt as they sell off an attic full of furniture, their last link to a family and a world that no longer exists. In the tradition of Death of a Salesman, this compassionate story gives us a rare insight into an all-American family.
This kind of piqued my interest in Arthur Miller (the playwright), so I looked him up on Wikipedia. Wow, that dude wrote alot of plays ! Among them is Death of a Salesman. What’s more interesting is that we’ve got a minor celebrity in the play, Robert Prosky. You’ll probably remember him from Hill Street Blues as Sgt. Stan Jablonski. What’s more interesting is that both of his sons are in the play as well.
I’m seeing it this week, so I’ll report back, and let you know what I think !