Sunday, August 9, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Welcome to Summer
Hello all....... Welcome to Summer Vacation! Well sad to say my internship with playhouse square has ended for a time and so therefore there will be no more reviews on Plays. Now other things there might be. I may post pics from a trip I made to Hawaii, then maybe write a review on a new movie or something. Finally, I may even post my Spanish videos on here. I will have to see how important it is to me and how much time I have. Please check back at least once a month and see if I have any updates for you. Thanks, God bless and message/e-mail me.
~Din
Thursday, May 7, 2009
“When” Will It Be Over?!?!
Have you even been somewhere when you find yourself checking the clock every five minutes in hopes that time may have passed? That is exactly the way I felt Tuesday night as I sat through An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin.
The opening scene was a piece from the musical Company. This song quickly gave me an idea of which path the show was going to take. Lupone and Patinkin seemed to be looking into their pasts for songs and story lines. The romance that went on between them always seemed a little too complicated for their ages. I pictured a young couple in their shoes for almost every number. At one point in the play, Lupone and Patinkin brought out desk chairs on wheels and did a little dance while sitting. Although this is a creative idea, I picture my younger brothers and sister doing the same thing, but doing it better.
When Lupone finally sang her solo from “Gypsy,” the theatre was filled with thunderous clapping. Very curious how an audience will award an actress credit for so very little talent. Perhaps this audience felt obligated to give Lupone recognition for her many years of performing this song. Her vocals did not seem quite as impressive as they may have been years ago. It is very sad to see her up there unable to hold a note through the end and at times have difficulty reaching a note. To add to all this, her final gestures at the end of the song seemed out of place. She had already stopped singing when the music became very loud and a soft spot light encircled her as she raised her hands toward the sky. I personally feel like she was looking for applause.
In productions I have seen recently, they have provided the audience with something to talk about. Either their costumes were grand or the scenery spectacular, or hopefully the singing and acting just blew the crowd away. Sometimes it is difficult to please this generation without it being on the big screen, but this year there have been many enjoyable productions that can be ranked as high as some recent films. An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin is not one of those. It seemed as if their set had gone back in time from the lack of creativity and originality. Also, they were both dressed in black the entire evening. It almost felt as if they were going to a funeral. For me, the costumes were just as boring. Now possibly these views are only from my younger perspective, but a woman near me, who had probably seen Lupone and Patinkin in their years of fame, commented that this production was “O.K.” Apparently, this production was not enjoyable for any age.
If you don’t trust my review and desire to go see An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin, it is now playing at Playhouse Square from the 5th- 17th. Go to playhousesquare.com for more information.
The opening scene was a piece from the musical Company. This song quickly gave me an idea of which path the show was going to take. Lupone and Patinkin seemed to be looking into their pasts for songs and story lines. The romance that went on between them always seemed a little too complicated for their ages. I pictured a young couple in their shoes for almost every number. At one point in the play, Lupone and Patinkin brought out desk chairs on wheels and did a little dance while sitting. Although this is a creative idea, I picture my younger brothers and sister doing the same thing, but doing it better.
When Lupone finally sang her solo from “Gypsy,” the theatre was filled with thunderous clapping. Very curious how an audience will award an actress credit for so very little talent. Perhaps this audience felt obligated to give Lupone recognition for her many years of performing this song. Her vocals did not seem quite as impressive as they may have been years ago. It is very sad to see her up there unable to hold a note through the end and at times have difficulty reaching a note. To add to all this, her final gestures at the end of the song seemed out of place. She had already stopped singing when the music became very loud and a soft spot light encircled her as she raised her hands toward the sky. I personally feel like she was looking for applause.
In productions I have seen recently, they have provided the audience with something to talk about. Either their costumes were grand or the scenery spectacular, or hopefully the singing and acting just blew the crowd away. Sometimes it is difficult to please this generation without it being on the big screen, but this year there have been many enjoyable productions that can be ranked as high as some recent films. An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin is not one of those. It seemed as if their set had gone back in time from the lack of creativity and originality. Also, they were both dressed in black the entire evening. It almost felt as if they were going to a funeral. For me, the costumes were just as boring. Now possibly these views are only from my younger perspective, but a woman near me, who had probably seen Lupone and Patinkin in their years of fame, commented that this production was “O.K.” Apparently, this production was not enjoyable for any age.
If you don’t trust my review and desire to go see An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin, it is now playing at Playhouse Square from the 5th- 17th. Go to playhousesquare.com for more information.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Spamalot
The humor in Spamalot had me almost rolling out of my chair and close to peeing in my pants like the “Brave Sir Robin” did in many of the scenes. The only reason why such a corny play can be so entertaining is because of the creativity involved. There aren’t very many productions out there like Spamalot and therefore the unique plot captivates many audiences. Spamalot can be described as a spoof on “the arts.” In the musical number “The Song That Goes Like This”, the cast members sing a song that sounds like it would be the song that “starts of soft and low and ends with a kiss.” In reality they can’t wait for the song to end and are continually making comments on how the song irritates them.
As in most theatrical productions at Playhouse Square, the acting highly impressed me. The Lady of the Lake played by Merle Dandridge, had a voice that could reach many graceful octaves during supposedly “serious” numbers, while at other times her tone appeared more modern. Her voice was comparable to Mariah Carey’s or Whitney Houston’s. Dandridge’s acting also gained my attention when she was able to define her character even in song. Her skill in vocals and comedy made her the most appropriate woman for the part.
My favorite comedians in Spamalot were probably Patsy played by Jeff Dumas and Sir Robin played by James Beaman. Dumas was a master at producing horse sound effects with coconut halves. Although he had only a few lines, he surprised the audience with his few, but hysterical, words of wisdom. In the second act, Beaman began his comedy and throughout the play never stopped adding to the performance. His solo song “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” finalized my view of him as a talented actor and comic.
Although the humor in Spamalot had me roaring with laughter, the writers went slightly over board with the sexually jokes. I could have done without a few of those scenes and the plot of the play would not have been spoiled. In my opinion, there were a few too many crude body movements and middle finger gestures, especially in the French Castle scene.
I was also disappointed in the number of scenes in which the other female actresses seemed to lose their clothes. Ending up in a bikini at the end of every scene does not constitute good acting. Women are worth so much more and it saddens me to not see their talent accurately displayed.
The best part of the entire play was the fact that the cast interacted with the audience and made them sing, dance and laugh right along with the show! I truly loved watching the amusing and engaging performance of Spamalot. Spamalot is showing from March 31st, 2009 to April 5th, 2009. To buy tickets and for more information go to playhousesquare.com.
As in most theatrical productions at Playhouse Square, the acting highly impressed me. The Lady of the Lake played by Merle Dandridge, had a voice that could reach many graceful octaves during supposedly “serious” numbers, while at other times her tone appeared more modern. Her voice was comparable to Mariah Carey’s or Whitney Houston’s. Dandridge’s acting also gained my attention when she was able to define her character even in song. Her skill in vocals and comedy made her the most appropriate woman for the part.
My favorite comedians in Spamalot were probably Patsy played by Jeff Dumas and Sir Robin played by James Beaman. Dumas was a master at producing horse sound effects with coconut halves. Although he had only a few lines, he surprised the audience with his few, but hysterical, words of wisdom. In the second act, Beaman began his comedy and throughout the play never stopped adding to the performance. His solo song “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” finalized my view of him as a talented actor and comic.
Although the humor in Spamalot had me roaring with laughter, the writers went slightly over board with the sexually jokes. I could have done without a few of those scenes and the plot of the play would not have been spoiled. In my opinion, there were a few too many crude body movements and middle finger gestures, especially in the French Castle scene.
I was also disappointed in the number of scenes in which the other female actresses seemed to lose their clothes. Ending up in a bikini at the end of every scene does not constitute good acting. Women are worth so much more and it saddens me to not see their talent accurately displayed.
The best part of the entire play was the fact that the cast interacted with the audience and made them sing, dance and laugh right along with the show! I truly loved watching the amusing and engaging performance of Spamalot. Spamalot is showing from March 31st, 2009 to April 5th, 2009. To buy tickets and for more information go to playhousesquare.com.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Hi!
Hello all! I feel like it has been forever since I have talked to you guys or heard from any of you. Just sitting at home, enjoying the peace and quiet of life.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Hello all my readers........
As you may have noticed, I do not have a review for the month of March.
It just so happens that this month, the play was Spring Awakening.
I heard that it tends to be blunt.
Apparently it is all about teenagers "awakening" to their sexuality.
For this reason I requested that I be allowed to skip this production.
Sorry to all who will miss it.
Thanks for your encouragement!
~Din
It just so happens that this month, the play was Spring Awakening.
I heard that it tends to be blunt.
Apparently it is all about teenagers "awakening" to their sexuality.
For this reason I requested that I be allowed to skip this production.
Sorry to all who will miss it.
Thanks for your encouragement!
~Din
Saturday, February 7, 2009
You Can’t Stop the Beat of Hairspray!
Grab that hairspray and boost that crazy “doo!” Tonight at Playhouse Square you will need all the hold you can get to keep that hair up while you dance and sing along with the songs from Hairspray!
Although some of the acting and singing from the performance of Hairspray was moderate, most of the actors had amazing talent. Christian White (Seaweed), Jerry O’Boyle (Edna Turnblad), and Amber Rees (Penny) either had the audience rolling with laughter or had the ability to make their characters complex with a little dialogue and a few songs. Certain performers like Matthew Ragas (Link) and Yvette Monique Clark (Seaweed’s mother) possessed phenomenal voices, which were essential to eliminate the tragic sound of Erin Sullivan’s screechy voice. Brooklynn Pulver (Tracy) was a blast to watch! Her dance moves combined with her fun personality allowed everyone to admire her and everything she did. The overall dancing of the cast was astonishing! The ways that they could twirl, pop, and twist just blew my mind.
Add to the lighthearted dancing a colorful and bright display and I don’t see how anyone could not delight in Hairspray. Every set change brought with it new hairstyles and different shades of pink and blue. Compared to the sets of other productions, I was impressed with the scenery from the opening to the fall of the curtain.
Despite the fact that Hairspray leans toward the side of a “chick-flick”, the underlying points touched deeper issues. Tracy is told by her father to work hard for what she wants therefore, Tracy pursues her dreams with enthusiasm and faith. If every teenager lived life following after their hopes, with Tracy’s passion, this world would be filled with a great generation of hardworking people. Also, this production emphasized the idea that the inward appearance of a human being matters more than the outward appearance. In the end, the talented and diligent people gained love and fame, while the “pretty elite” lost it all. In today’s day and age, girls and boys need to embrace this philosophy on life.
Hairspray was entertaining to the entire audience, due to its family atmosphere and clean storyline. It was perfect for the young viewer and also engaging for the adult audience. Everyone was singing by the end of the production and ready to dance. I just can’t seem to “Stop The Beat” even hours after the show! This is definitely one of my top picks for the 2009 Playhouse Square Season.
Hairspray now showing at Playhouse Square from February 6th- February 8th.
Go to playhousesquare.com for more information and contact numbers.
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