03 April 2004
39*21*50
Keith Johnson and I went to see Alice Ensor and Drew Droege at the The Theatre District at the CAST's production of 39*21*50 (804 N. El Centro, Hollywood). I'm guessing the numbers represent the turning-point ages at which we find some of the characters.
The bad news is, the writer wanted the whole play to be a turning point. It was very heavily written and even excellent acting by our buddy Drew and a delightfully comedic Suzie Kane couldn't overcome the self-important tone of the play itself.
This came from a one-act, from what I hear, and I'd be willing to bet that the one-act version is far better. Odd choices from the director--having every character put on some sort of odd accent, never using music... until that ONE moment where we're supposed to cry, and having the actors smoke--twice--on stage without having given fair warning in the program. Gotta say, that last one is a really big problem for me (you know how we former smokers are the most militant anti-smokers, right?).
I really enjoyed the last play I saw Alice in at this location (Meetin's on the Porch). This was just much less... everything. Bummer. I've since learned that a major glitch came at 3pm on show day. An actor had to leave town on an emergency/family trip and the cast and director spent the few hours prior to showtime rewriting the play WITHOUT a character! That certainly explains the unevenness.
But, WOW, what gorgeous sets (again)! Two Blue Chairs Design is a group I will definitely keep on my short list of "gotta work with you" when I mount a theatre production in the future. Really great visuals.
The bad news is, the writer wanted the whole play to be a turning point. It was very heavily written and even excellent acting by our buddy Drew and a delightfully comedic Suzie Kane couldn't overcome the self-important tone of the play itself.
This came from a one-act, from what I hear, and I'd be willing to bet that the one-act version is far better. Odd choices from the director--having every character put on some sort of odd accent, never using music... until that ONE moment where we're supposed to cry, and having the actors smoke--twice--on stage without having given fair warning in the program. Gotta say, that last one is a really big problem for me (you know how we former smokers are the most militant anti-smokers, right?).
I really enjoyed the last play I saw Alice in at this location (Meetin's on the Porch). This was just much less... everything. Bummer. I've since learned that a major glitch came at 3pm on show day. An actor had to leave town on an emergency/family trip and the cast and director spent the few hours prior to showtime rewriting the play WITHOUT a character! That certainly explains the unevenness.
But, WOW, what gorgeous sets (again)! Two Blue Chairs Design is a group I will definitely keep on my short list of "gotta work with you" when I mount a theatre production in the future. Really great visuals.
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