Valentine’s Day might seem commercialized, and it may well be. But I’m taking the opportunity to celebrate the many kindnesses shown to me by those in my life, personally and professionally. You’ve all, in your own special ways, helped me become the woman I am. Thanks for being you, and helping me be me.
Sending love to those in my ever growing circle,
–Sue
Add comment February 12th, 2010
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned how masterfully David Cromer directed Our Town. (And if you can see it, you’ll be glad you did.)
The seating is intimate, and in the round (almost like it was in Elizabethan times) surrounding the “stage”. (See the configuration in person, you’ll understand why I put “stage” in quotes.)
It was sold out when we went, every seat filled… And after one of the intermissions (there are two), a few patrons left. Their absence was easily noticeable…
If they’d only stayed, the payoff of the last five minutes are what make the entire show… and I thought it was a shame that they missed out.
But it set me wondering… How long is too long for the big audience “payoff” in a piece? In this age of short attention spans, how long are audience members willing to wait?
I’m sure the easy answer is that it varies, but there must be some threshold. What do you think? I’d love to hear your opinions…
–Sue
Add comment February 11th, 2010
I know it sounds funny, a playwright not ever having read or seen a version of “Our Town.” It is one of the seminal American plays.
But, though I knew I “should” read/see it… I wasn’t really interested. I’d seen it done over and over again in popular culture that it almost felt like I’d heard it and seen it all before.
And then I started hearing about this amazing production at the Barrow Street Theatre, and I knew it was a production people would be talking about 50 years from now, and I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t see it.
The lucky woman I am, hubby took me as part of my birthday gift a few weeks ago. (Which made Emily’s revisiting her 12th birthday that must more resonant.) We met the gifted actress, Jennifer Grace, who played a multifaceted Emily with so much depth after the show — and she was even sweet enough to take a photo with me, to preserve the moment.
After the show, I thought about all the moments that pass each day without so much as a blink of an eye or acknowledgment… which is Wilder’s point exactly. What David Cromer’s direction and Michele Spadaro’s set design did with this production to make it so special was to remind us that even the most mundane moments are ones we can celebrate with all of our senses to really appreciate our short time here.
I won’t give much away, but I will give a bit of advice: Don’t go hungry, because the last few moments of the play might make your stomach growl.
This production has been extended until March 14th, 2010… (and this has already been extended a few times)… So before time runs out — GO SEE THIS SHOW!!! It is truly a gift.
–Sue
Add comment February 10th, 2010
I always say you have to work with people from where they are; the producers of the Broadway revival of “Hair” are doing just that.
Nightly, the cast invites the audience to participate in ‘dance parties’ with them on stage… as interactive a show as it is, that might sound like they’re really making a huge connection, but it’s what they’re doing to take it one step further that’s amazing.
According to the Times, audience members can now find videos of themselves posted on Facebook, and tag themselves on the video… So everyone’s Facebook friends can see them on stage, getting down and funky.
And as the saying goes, “Seeing is believing.”
…just another way of keeping a revival relevant for our times.
–Sue
Add comment February 9th, 2010
J.K. Rowling has had her share of success and failure… and her story has been as romanticized and been given a “fairy tale ending”. Her speech at Harvard’s commencement goes into some detail about it, but beyond her own experience, she urges the audience to imagine the lives of others, and to give those who don’t have a voice, the power to be heard.
This has been one of my personal missions.
My eighth grade graduation “present” (a suggestion printed in the yearbook) from the staff was a megaphone, as I was known for being “loud”. At the time, I was hurt… grown women poking fun at a vulnerable young girl’s ability to make her voice heard. At moments like those, the strong voice inside got smaller and weaker.
A string of those moments throughout the years, and being called names I won’t repeat hear made that voice shrink until I almost fell down my own well of silence.
It was through much heartache, doubt, fear, and strife that I built myself back up…many times over.
And today, hearing how strong my voice is, one would never know it.
Having almost lost my voice, and having to work so hard to make it heard, I realize what a privilege it is to be heard — often without ever opening my mouth.
I believe that we are all right here, right now, to serve a purpose on this earth, and I’m so blessed to know mine.
–Sue
Add comment February 8th, 2010
“Business” has made it to the top of the list once more…The big changes I made to some of the character arcs, as well as some logistical scene rearranging have made a world of difference. It’s still the same story it always was, but it’s clearer what everyone’s motives are, and why they are where they are at top of the show.
As a playwright, my biggest challenge is transferring what’s in my head to the page — knowing when it’s clear enough for the audience and where they might need a bit of hand holding.
The fine tuning now at hand mainly deals with back-story… I want to be sure to keep the integrity of a family dynamic, as when families talk amongst themselves, they know their own history and don’t spell it out for one another, but still be sure the audience is on the same page.
It’s the trickiest part, finding the language of a family or anyone relating to another in any relationship — but when you hit it just so, it’s easily the most satisfying.
–Sue
Add comment February 5th, 2010
I wrote yesterday about “chasing after” a lyric most of the day. Today, I ended up changing that lyric again. And I finally hit it… along with a few others as well…
But since grad school, I’ve known that it’s better to write it down today and get it right tomorrow.
Many have quoted the him before, and with good reason. “ The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightningbug.” — Mark Twain
–Sue
Add comment February 4th, 2010
It was a long day today… sorting through lyrics… and it was finally when I was able to relax that it came to me in a moment of clarity –the line I had been chasing all day.
It’s not a line that will go down in history, but it doesn’t need to be… I needed something simple and elegant, and that just might be what I have.
–Sue
Add comment February 3rd, 2010
There are days when I wish we’d be done already… I want to finish this musical so much.
And then there are days like today… when I work for hours on end, and even come up with lyrics in the shower! And that’s when I realize that these things take time… And it’s just getting better and better with time.
And when it’s ready, the world will be ready too.
–Sue
Add comment February 2nd, 2010
Sunday night was spent babysitting, so I had my hands full of the original kind of gaga… not the kind that wears dresses that resemble a solar system.
The Grammys were on in the background (hubby insisted we watch). The little I did see, kinda made me sad. None of the performances seemed like they were about the songs being sung or celebrated last night.
I felt like I was under the big top, watching one act trying to outdo the next — one spectacle grander than the next… from monsters, to foot soldiers, and Cirque du Soleil impersonators… I felt bad for the musicians who just came out with microphones wanting to sing a song.
From the little I did see, there was no way I could have sat through the entire telecast… and I’m guessing I wasn’t the only one.
I applaud being an entertainer and giving a good show, I’m just not down with gimmicks.
–Sue
Add comment February 1st, 2010
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