April 03, 2010
"Godspell" at the Straz Center
Today I went to see "Godspell" at the Straz Center in Tampa.
Even though I didn't agree with one or two of the artistic choices, I really enjoyed the show overall. Let's face it, the music is so good that it's nearly impossible to break this show. I also love that the show is flexible enough to accommodate all sorts of current pop culture references. Plus, that wonderful moment after Jesus is crucified and a single voice begins the refrain: "Long live God"...well, that just takes my breath away every time.
My favorites among the cast were: Alison Burns and Michael Indeglio.
Alison kicked off the show with an especially great "Tower of Babble," then never came down from that high. The aforementioned "Long live God" moment was also hers. The truth is, I knew that moment was coming and I wondered who it had been given to. I hoped it would be Alison, and it was.
Michael Indeglio was also brilliant as John the Baptist and Judas. When Judas betrays Jesus...well, it just tears your heart out. At least the way Michael played it. In lesser hands, those last scenes wouldn't work as well.
I encourage everyone to see the show while you have the chance. This production only runs through May 16th, and you don't get a chance to see a production of "Godspell" very often. Trust me, I've been waiting for years. And this production didn't disappoint my very high expectations.
Posted by Selena at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2007
Super Shrew
I've been meaning to blog about how great The Taming of the Shrew was in DC, but the week just got away from me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It's a gorgeous production. Plus it's funny, as most productions of Shrew are. This production is even a bit romantic, which you don't always get with this difficult play. If you have a chance to see the show, I encourage you to do so. You aren't likely to get another opportunity to see a Shrew this good.
There are so many great moments in this production; I couldn't begin to list them all. There is one in fact that I won't detail because it would spoil the surprise. All I will say is that the text just indicates Petruchio is inappropriately dressed when he arrives for his wedding. It doesn't say what he is wearing, and it didn't prepare me for what Taichman and company did with the opportunity.
My favorite moment, however, is when Petruchio and Kate first meet. Kate walks by Petruchio and she literally slows down and turns back to have another look. It's a beautiful, romantic moment. I only wish I could have been watching Petruchio at the same time so I could have seen if he was equally smitten. It's a real "love at first sight" moment. I always thought the play needed that to make all that comes later believable.
The chemistry between Petruchio and Kate is palpable, which is another element I consider critical to the success of a production of Shrew. Plus, Christopher Innvar somehow makes Petruchio likeable, despite the way Petruchio bullies and manhandles Kate. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Innvar is so handsome.
Still, Petruchio manhandles Kate a little too much for tastes. But that's part of the play, and it's tough to get around. In this production, I found it a little odd to watch Petruchio best Kate physically because Charlayne Woodard, who plays Kate, has arm muscles like a bodybuilder. It kept reminding me of that scene in "What's Love Got to Do with It" where Ike is roughing up Tina, and Angela Bassett's muscular arms are shown off by her sleeveless top, and all I could think is "She could totally beat the daylights out of him! Why doesn't she?" Likewise, in this Shrew it was a little hard for me to believe that Petruchio could so easily out-brawl Kate. I kept waiting for her to punch him really hard right in the face. It might not knock him out, 'cause Petruchio's a big guy, but it would certainly stun him long enough for Kate to run away. But she doesn't, of course. I guess I could refer to my "favorite moment" above for a hint about why.
Kate's speech at the end is probably the toughest in the play. It's a real problem—especially for a female, maybe even feminist, director. But Taichman pulls it off.
I especially enjoyed how Petruchio handed Kate the money after winning the bet. It's a choice I recommended back in college when I wrote a paper on how to produce a feminist Shrew. I remember my professor called the choice "problematic." Whatever. I still believe the gesture is crucial to re-establishing balance between Kate and Petruchio, and showing that despite public appearances to the contrary they are equal partners in the game. Certainly, I'm not laying claim to the idea. I'm probably not even the first one who suggested it. But it was still lovely that this successful director, who I have come to admire so much, made one of the same choices I would have made. It was a little moment of personal validation for me.
This "Taming of the Shrew" is worth flying a thousand miles for. I'm certainly glad I made the trip. If I was still in DC, I'd go see it again.
Posted by Selena at 11:52 PM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2007
More Articles on "Shrew"
The more I hear about Taichman's production of "The Taming of the Shrew," the more I am looking forward to seeing it. (Won't be long now. Yeah!)
Here are some interesting articles about the show:
A 'Shrew' That's Tamed But Wildly Entertaining
I think it's interesting that Marks mentions the importance of casting. I always thought the casting of Kate and Petruchio is particularly critical to this play's success. I think that to make the show work, you've got to have obvious chemistry between those two characters.
Of course, I also believed that to make the show work you couldn't set it in modern times. I figured that the play only really made sense in a strongly patriarchal society and our modern society just isn't anymore. (Thank goodness.) But it sounds like maybe Ms. Taichman and crew are proving me wrong.
In the Upcoming 'Shrew,' Love Is for Redder or for Worse"
"Lipstick-red stage." If the words don't grab your attention, check out the photo. Also, I can't remember ever hearing the phrase "drop-dead sexy" used in reference to "Shrew" before. Love that.
'Taming' a Tough Role
It’s fascinating to me that Charlayne Woodard's initial response to the idea of playing Kate was "No." I'm glad she changed her mind.
All three articles are from The Washington Post because that's where I get my WDC news. :) Actually, even though I no longer live in DC, The Washington Post is still my main news source. Old habits die hard, I guess.
Posted by Selena at 10:29 PM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2007
Cool Article on Shrew
Today I came across this interesting article on the production of "The Taming of the Shrew" that I am looking forward to:
It's not often you hear this particular Shakespeare play referred to as "modern."
Posted by Selena at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2007
Can't Wait for Shrew
I am so excited about the upcoming production of "The Taming of the Shrew" in my beloved Washington, DC. Shrew is my favorite Shakespeare play, and it's one that is hardly ever produced. Just having the chance to see it is a rare opportunity.
Ever since I studied the play in college, I have believed it is possible to produce a Shrew that is both romantic and feminist. I don't imagine it would be easy. There are formidable challenges, like a text that seems misogynist and archaic to a modern audience. I have never seen a production that manages to overcome that, but I am still hopeful that it can be done.
After listening to director Rebecca Bayla Taichman talk about the upcoming production, I am even more hopeful. If a romantic, feminist production of Shrew can be had, Ms. Taichman seems exactly the woman to pull it off. At the theatre's website, you can see video of her talking about the show, or listen to the podcast version.
Listen to the part where she talks about what being a shrew means. I love how she points out that Kate is silent through much of the play in direct opposition to her shrewish label. I was nodding my head when she said that.
As I studied Shrew, one of the things that appealed to me was the tension between this woman who is labeled "shrew" and the fact that she is not the most shrewish person in the play. Petruchio out-shrews Kate more than once. I think he must do it on purpose because it has two very positive results: 1) it puts the townspeople on Kate's side for a change (against Petruchio, her new husband, who behaves appallingly at their wedding), and 2) it gives Kate the opportunity to redefine her role (suddenly she is the one defending the servants from abuse, Petruchio's abuse).
I am also pleased that the notes on the website quote Coppelia Kahn. I think it was her "Man's Estate" I read back in the day, but what Coppelia Kahn has to add to the Shrew equation is the insight that Kate truly holds the power over Petruchio despite her submission to him at the end. Actually it is because of her submission. Kate doesn't need Petruchio. But Petruchio needs Kate. He needs her submission to validate him as an adult male in the strongly patriarchal society of the play. Without a wife who submits to him, Petruchio is a marginalized member of society. Only through his successful "taming" of a wife can he be respected. That is a key piece to understanding the play.
Don't miss the video where Taichman wrestles with the question of whether Shrew is "a great love story or a sexist put-down?" In her wisdom, she declares that it is both -- and much more.
I can't wait to see the show. I've got my tickets. How about you? Really, when do you think you'll have another opportunity to see "The Taming of the Shrew?" It could be awhile.
Posted by Selena at 05:48 PM | Comments (0)