Friday, December 19, 2014
Theatre Review #2: A Christmas Carol
I was very impressed with this production of A Christmas Carol. It's always a joy to see Chamblee Ferguson, as he is a fearless actor who captures every essence of a character. The production as a whole was very grand. The set was very versatile and set the tone for the show as a whole. The way they incorporated the bed was very interesting as it added levels and movement throughout the show. The show kepty attention the whole time, and I never checked out. I thought the music was incorporated into the traditional play very well. There were a few times when I wish they hadn't been so modern (ex. Ghost of Christmas Present). The levels in the show, regarding tone, were incredible. Between the peaceful yet intimidating nature of Christmas Past, the peppiness of Christmas present, and the creepy honesty of the Ghost of Christmas yet to come. I thought the show as a whole was full of talent and was incredibly well directed and well executed. I highly suggest seeing it.
Character Wants
Character Name: Julie Jordan
Main Objective: lure Billy, capture his interest and trust, figure him out
Wants: convince Billy she isn't afraid because she doesn't want to seem inferior. She wants to appear accepting, yet innocent. She's also lost in her own imagination picturing her life with Billy. She also wants to be weary because she doesn't want to get hurt by him.
Main Objective: lure Billy, capture his interest and trust, figure him out
Wants: convince Billy she isn't afraid because she doesn't want to seem inferior. She wants to appear accepting, yet innocent. She's also lost in her own imagination picturing her life with Billy. She also wants to be weary because she doesn't want to get hurt by him.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Theater Review #1: ROCKY HORROR
Last Saturday I saw The Rocky Horror Show at Dallas
Theater Center. This was my first time
seeing the show live. I thought it was
done extremely well. The design of the costume and sets was new and
inventive. The designers did an
excellent job at maintaining the feeling of the original while incorporating a
design independent of the previous productions.
Speaking specifically of costumes, there were some bold choices
made. Frank n’ Furter did not sport his
iconic black hair, but rather a large blonde curly wig. This led to an even more drastic choice of
making Rocky have dark hair, and not wear his usual gold shorts. The production maintained the tradition of
Rocky Horror without sacrificing new ideas in order to remain completely loyal.
The
staging was did a good job at holding the audience’s attention. Whenever a part of the stage would move, or
they would bring on a new set piece there lied some fascination regarding the
cleverness that backed the idea. The only fault I would find with the staging
is that it was rather repetitive, however this did not bother me during the
performance. There was a very interesting use of a camera on stage. I thought this was cleverly ironic. Usually with Rocky Horror, the movie plays in
the background and the performers imitate the action on screen. In this performance, the action of screen was
copying that onstage.
The
choreography and ensemble had a fresher feel to them than that of the movie. They
seemed more updated which allowed for the audience to believe in the
timelessness of the show because they did not feel stuck in a 60’s vibe. The choreography did a great job at adding
another dimension to the show. There
were certain things that stood out because they didn’t quite set right to fans
of the show. The Time Warp moves seemed
slightly altered from the original. It
was very subtle, yet it was enough to dampen the sense of community that
usually comes from that number.
Regarding
the casting and character development, there were so many minute details that
really added to the background of the show and plot. Frank ‘n Furter gave a great performance and
turned the character into a very likeable and relatable one. He almost made it seem as if all evil aspects
of him were only due to immaturity or impulse with no real evil
intentions. I thought this was a great
character choice because it made the audience root for him. From what I could tell, there was some
adlibbing in the show. This added to the
audience connection, as well as the comedy of the show. It allowed for more audience interaction. Since it is the kind of show that is an “event”,
many people hold specific memories with it.
It is the kind of experience that needs to have an atmosphere behind it,
and many people take it upon themselves to create this atmosphere
themselves. The show was open, and gave
an opportunity to audience members to make the experience into what they
wanted, which was a very open environment.
D.A.R.
Describe: Lately in class, we have been working on rep. We are mainly focusing on ensemble work, however there has been incorporation of solo work. Part of this is working on harmonies and different musical styles. After learning the songs, we began to learn choreography and staging which also adds in the acting aspect of the number.
Analyze: The most fun part of this experience has been being able to put together the music, acting, and dancing to create a whole piece. Nothing has really been to difficult yet. The songs are not too complicated neither is the movement, and if you take everything as it comes along and fully absorb it then nothing is very difficult.
Reflect/ Relate: This process is very entertaining. I think things have really come together, and our performance will be pretty good. I do think we should have either started earlier, or not have done as many songs so we could work more intricately on each number. I still think the performance will be good, and I'm excited to see how it goes.
Analyze: The most fun part of this experience has been being able to put together the music, acting, and dancing to create a whole piece. Nothing has really been to difficult yet. The songs are not too complicated neither is the movement, and if you take everything as it comes along and fully absorb it then nothing is very difficult.
Reflect/ Relate: This process is very entertaining. I think things have really come together, and our performance will be pretty good. I do think we should have either started earlier, or not have done as many songs so we could work more intricately on each number. I still think the performance will be good, and I'm excited to see how it goes.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Character Analysis
1. Hodel
2. She is very excited for her future, She believes the next step of her life will hopefully open up some mystery to living a more fulfilling life. Yes, she wants to get married, and in the beginning she feels very firmly grounded in her Jewish upbringing. However, as the story goes a long and she meets Perchik, she realizes that her entire self is defined by the limitations that her Jewish lifestyle has put upon her. Perchik gives her the opportunity to reinvent and redefine herself. This is an exciting step forward that she is open to, very similar to the moment her and Perchik dance together. She sees herself as independent and non reliant on customary matters. She will think for herself, and sass whom she will on occasion. Yet, she still believes there is a place for her and she should respectfully not cross the boundaries, simply push them.
3. Other people would describe her as strong willed and passionate. It is clear through her persistence regarding her love for Perchik. She is determined to pursue this love that she has found. One can see from her original attraction to the Rabbi's son that she wants the best for herself. At that time, the best she can think of is a high up position in keeping with her culture. However, she later discovers that what's best for her is completely unconventional. I believe she can also be described as unapologetic. She knows what she wants, and she"ll hope for it to please others, but she will not sacrifice her ultimate happiness to appease someone else. She also has an interesting balance of internal maturity, yet social innocence due to the sheltered nature she was raised in.
4. Hodel is very focused on the future. She doesn't understand Tzeitel's not wanting to get married. She is intrigued by new and exciting ideas, such as men and women dancing together. I believe she is very open to others. Yet, she is easily offput by ideas not similar to hers when first introduced.
5. Her father is worried about her, yet has faith in her passion and deedication she has to love. It is clear to both her father and Perchik that she has a teasingly indignant personality, sharp and witty, yet respectful. One of the most straightforward depictions of Hodel's personality is when she tells her father that she is engaged, and she and Perchik say, "I am not asking for your permission, only for your blessing.". Hodel is respectful, and is not overly troubled by others. Her independence sets her aside from much of the unnecessary drama.
6-7. The character is in love with Perchik, a man who has just been arrested and taken to Siberia. She is leaving her village, family, culture, and essentially herself, in order to be with her love. She is having to explain to her dad that she never intended for something like this to happen, but now there is no way around it. She is helpless, and must be with her love. In order to convince her father, she must find peace with it herself. She is not wishing for his permission, so there is no fight, but rather his blessing (once again). She has to present a reasoning and explanation to her father to achieve this. In the end, she demonstrates much maturity to her father by explaining as hard as it is to leave everything she's ever loved, her home, the man that she loved is where her heart lies therefore making wherever he is her home. There is really no solution, but rather a pleasant departure between her and her father.
8. Independent, witty, curious, excited, passionate, dedicated, loving, respectful, strong-willed, open minded
9. She has mainly existed within her family, Due to her culture she has not been allowed much interaction with men. She has now fallen in love with Perchik. It is the first relationship that she has really made herself. Most others she was born into. She is very close to her family, especially her father. She holds a lot of respect for her community, but she is overwhelmed by the love that develops for Perchik. It ultimately trumps her other relationships, as she goes off to be with him breaking all other ties she's ever had.
- about 17
- Poor Jewish family from Anatevka. Her father is a milkman, and she is one of five daughters. They are to be married off to Jewish men from the village, so that is the future they have to look forward to. A very strict sense of Tradition among her family and friends.
- A young, pretty Jewish woman with dark hair and eyes. Probably at the most beautiful stage of her life considering the harsh world they live in, so they age much earlier. Since they are poor, she is most likely thin and not too tall as for lack of nutrition. She wears tradition, conservative clothing for the time and place.
2. She is very excited for her future, She believes the next step of her life will hopefully open up some mystery to living a more fulfilling life. Yes, she wants to get married, and in the beginning she feels very firmly grounded in her Jewish upbringing. However, as the story goes a long and she meets Perchik, she realizes that her entire self is defined by the limitations that her Jewish lifestyle has put upon her. Perchik gives her the opportunity to reinvent and redefine herself. This is an exciting step forward that she is open to, very similar to the moment her and Perchik dance together. She sees herself as independent and non reliant on customary matters. She will think for herself, and sass whom she will on occasion. Yet, she still believes there is a place for her and she should respectfully not cross the boundaries, simply push them.
3. Other people would describe her as strong willed and passionate. It is clear through her persistence regarding her love for Perchik. She is determined to pursue this love that she has found. One can see from her original attraction to the Rabbi's son that she wants the best for herself. At that time, the best she can think of is a high up position in keeping with her culture. However, she later discovers that what's best for her is completely unconventional. I believe she can also be described as unapologetic. She knows what she wants, and she"ll hope for it to please others, but she will not sacrifice her ultimate happiness to appease someone else. She also has an interesting balance of internal maturity, yet social innocence due to the sheltered nature she was raised in.
4. Hodel is very focused on the future. She doesn't understand Tzeitel's not wanting to get married. She is intrigued by new and exciting ideas, such as men and women dancing together. I believe she is very open to others. Yet, she is easily offput by ideas not similar to hers when first introduced.
5. Her father is worried about her, yet has faith in her passion and deedication she has to love. It is clear to both her father and Perchik that she has a teasingly indignant personality, sharp and witty, yet respectful. One of the most straightforward depictions of Hodel's personality is when she tells her father that she is engaged, and she and Perchik say, "I am not asking for your permission, only for your blessing.". Hodel is respectful, and is not overly troubled by others. Her independence sets her aside from much of the unnecessary drama.
6-7. The character is in love with Perchik, a man who has just been arrested and taken to Siberia. She is leaving her village, family, culture, and essentially herself, in order to be with her love. She is having to explain to her dad that she never intended for something like this to happen, but now there is no way around it. She is helpless, and must be with her love. In order to convince her father, she must find peace with it herself. She is not wishing for his permission, so there is no fight, but rather his blessing (once again). She has to present a reasoning and explanation to her father to achieve this. In the end, she demonstrates much maturity to her father by explaining as hard as it is to leave everything she's ever loved, her home, the man that she loved is where her heart lies therefore making wherever he is her home. There is really no solution, but rather a pleasant departure between her and her father.
8. Independent, witty, curious, excited, passionate, dedicated, loving, respectful, strong-willed, open minded
9. She has mainly existed within her family, Due to her culture she has not been allowed much interaction with men. She has now fallen in love with Perchik. It is the first relationship that she has really made herself. Most others she was born into. She is very close to her family, especially her father. She holds a lot of respect for her community, but she is overwhelmed by the love that develops for Perchik. It ultimately trumps her other relationships, as she goes off to be with him breaking all other ties she's ever had.
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