Why Theatre?

Ever find that when you’re really passionate about something people are always asking you what it is about that thing that makes it so special to you? Well I get that question all the time about theatre. So I decided to take a blog post to try to describe the reason that I love theatre so much.
1. When you watch a show you are often watching dreams come true...whether it's the actors, the crew, the producers, the writers, or the company manager's dream you are watching the fruits of someone labor of love. I don't think I've ever met anyone in the industry who didn't love going to work every day and felt extremely lucky to be where they were. Which is very rare thing; there are not a whole lot of industries out there that can make that claim.

2. The ability to create is almost endless - There is just so much you can put on stage to entertain, make a statement, to encourage and inspire people.

3. It's as scary as it is rewarding - there is something attractive about that combination

4. It's challenging - The theatre industry requires you to think creatively and problem solve every day. Plus it is always different from one day the next.

I guess that's it - at least the reasons that I can put to words. These questions are always hard because I think it's hard to describe anything we love. We don't always know exactly why we love the things we do…we just kind of do.

The Twelfth Night and Waiting for Godot

Theatre weekends are always the best most relaxing weekends for me...I don't know why but being in a theatre looking around at the lighting grids, reading the playbill about to see a show are some of my favorite moments. Especially in a house like Studio 54 which has no real house lighting and is lit by Stage lights. Studio 54 is my favorite Broadway House because when I walk in I feel like I should be in a flapper dress with a feathered hat on my head ready to go swing dancing or to a speak easy once the show is over. (Did I mention I was a bit of a nerd? Just checking)

Plus NYC provides great food options for before or after a show so be sure check out the restaurant McCormicks and Schmick's Seafood for great crab cakes. If you are looking for food options before Shakesphere in the Park however do not go to the Upper East Side. I have learned that Upper East Siders shop and do not eat from Lex to 5th Avenue. 3rd Avenue you'll start to find places but be sure you to have cash on you. Moving onward the purpose of my Blog...

The Twelfth Night - This was the first time that I had gotten the opportunity to see professionals perform Shakespeare and it was an incredible experience. First let me say that the Twelfth Night is one of the easier more accessible plays that Shakespeare wrote; it is in my opinion his best comedy. Raul Esparza was amazing as always, he didn't blow me away like he did during Speed-the-Plow but this wasn't that type of role. Anne Hathaway had an absolutely surprising stage presence which was really interesting to watch. I thought she'd be more stagnate and professional on stage but she was relaxed. Also...Man can she sing! The people that really stole the show were David Pittu who played Feste, Hamish Linklater - Andrew Aguecheek, and Jon Patrick Walker playing Fabian. Also Jay O. Sanders and Julie White were fantastic of course! All of these characters had the audience putty in their capable hands. Every time they came out the audience just wanted more and more. David Pittu really was my favorite though he was just brilliant! The way he seemed to be tailoring his performance to the audience’s reactions but not compromising his character was so different to experience. Can't wait to see him in more stuff, he is definitely one that I am going to keep my eye out for. I'd hate to say it but Audra McDonald was really great, but she was just so rigid on stage until the very end.

What I really loved about this play was the musical score they wrote for it. It was beautiful and the cast were all talented vocally. I was worried because I hadn't seen a play in so long that did not have scenery changes, but the way the blocking was done there was no need for it. The formation of the director's blocking allowed the audience to know where the characters were at all times. Kudos to Daniel Sullivan!

The Delacorte Theatre was a great venue - great site lines, but always remember to bring a sweater when you go see a show there because it is right off of Turtle pond and that makes it windy and cold sometimes. Learn from my novice mistakes.

Waiting for Godot - Ah gees...this play takes a certain audience and I don't know if I am the type to fit into that audience. It was a good play again no scenery changes, but this time during the first act I was falling asleep (sorry guys - shameful I know...but it's never happened to me before). Bill Irwin was really good - Nathan Lane was Nathan Lane but at times too much of his usual actor ticks came out (actor ticks - what I call recognizable actions and vocal inflections that actors reuse in various roles) John Goodman not a big fan but he was creditable. John Glover was great- his role was the most interesting to me. The play overall was about Waiting for something to change and being trapped in the same place because you keep on Waiting; People equate it to being in Purgatory. I felt like the first act they were talking in circles too much and the second act was much better. It was heart breaking at times, funny, and it gave you a lot to think about. It's one of those I don't quite know what I think of it but it was interesting and I'm glad I saw it.

Next up will be either West Side Story or Billy Elliot. I want to see Hair but I don't know what I'll end up seeing...until next time