My review of “The Piano Lesson” at the Arden Theatre
I saw “The Piano Lesson” at the Arden Theatre last week. My friend, Yaegel Welch, was in the show. Yaegel is absolutely amazing on stage. Go see him. Period.Yaegel played opposite Meg last year in My Children, My Africa. It was a huge play that took you on this epic, amazing journey of discovery through South African Apartheid. Piano Lesson was just as good, but a bit lighter on it’s feet.
It was the story a black family in the 1940’s, wrestling with how to handle their one family heirloom, a piano… The brother wants to sell it, and the sister keep it. It was amazing how in course of the story you find yourself rooting for both of them. Very good story, very well portrayed, and totally worth your time… though be warned, it runs a bit longer than average… about 3 hours.
My review of “The Odd Couple” at the Walnut Street Theatre
The whole family went to see The Odd Couple at the Walnut Street Theatre this past Saturday. Everybody came along… My sister and her husband, Meg, and Mom and Dad.In short, I thought the casting could have been a little better, but I really enjoyed the show. I have a strong memory of the TV Show (the one starring Tony Randall), but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the original movie (starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau). I guess the play is much closer in plot to the original movie… OK, it’s probably the other way around. I guess the movie was based on the stage play (also starring Lemmon and Matthau). But still, try as I might, I couldn’t get Tony Randall as Felix out of my head ! I think Tony Randall did a great job playing Felix… He somehow managed to create this middle-age neat-nick, without going too far, and making him gay. Well, in the Walnut’s version, they didn’t pull off Felix as well… He came off gay, and I don’t think they meant him too.
But, outside of that foible, I enjoyed myself. Great lines, big laughs, a good time. It’s a simple, fun play, and you needn’t understand Shakespeare to have a good time. Some people may scoff at me, but you know, sometimes when I go to the theatre, I don’t really want to be challenged…. I just want to have a good time… This is one of those play. A good time.
And it was packed !! In fact, on the way in to the lobby, Meg says to me “I just love it. All these people could be doing almost anything with their time, and they choose live theatre.” She’s right, Philadelphia has a great theatre scene, and people know it. Get out there and enjoy it !
No show, but did see some trains !
Well, we didn’t end up seeing Getting Out last Friday. Just too many things going on at once. But earlier that day, I did end up going to the world’s largest model train display. It was awesome !! I’ll post up some pictures in a few days.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.Pictures from BoatHouse Row 150th Birthday Party
The Schuylkill Navy celebrated their 150th Anniversary this past weekend. The Schuylkill Navy is the governing body of Boathouse Row, so basically, it was a 150th Birthday party for Boathouse Row.The Navy asked me to come out and take pictures for the event, and you know I like posting pictures, so here you go :
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 !