IMAGINATION: The act or power of forming a mentle image of something not present to the senses or not previously known or experienced. Creative ability. Resourcefulness. I mental image: a creation of the mind.
Tragedy, tragedy and more, you guessed it. The dilemma of tragedy had been divided by the neoclassical view of the Greek tragedy and by the Elizabethan past in the Shakespearean tragedy. The argument is whether modern tragedies are just that, tragedies, by the Greek standard.
Strindberg's naturalistic tragedy, Miss Julie is a raw play. Set in the 1880’s, has all of the basic themes in Greek tragedy. Miss Julie is the daughter of a Count, who sleeps with her servant because of her desire for power over men. Here we see the Greek tragedy standard by which a person of noble birth has a problem that affects everyone and it has to be solved. The entire play happens within one night, another standard. She then in turn, faces her own fate when the obstacles against her become overwhelming, and she commits suicide, here is the recognition. Her servant is left with his job as a servant, with no one knowing they had an affair; this is the restoring of balance in the world with a grand sense of justice to remember later. Would the audience experience catharsis? I think so. Does this sound like a traditional Greek tragedy, YES!
So, can a modern tragedy be a tragedy? Yes it can. Though many critics will disagree, that is the beauty of the topic.
Have you read this play? If not, get on it, it’s amazing, intense and downright vulgar. I love it!
“People who keep dogs are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves.”
Being a fan of playwright Richard Greenberg, I was excited to see the play, Take Me Out, at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I knew nothing of the play accept that a friend of mine who is in it said he drops his pants. I was in. Not what I anticipated. The play is about Baseball. All I was thinking is, how long can this stay interesting. Well, it didn't STAY interesting...it GOT interesting. The themes that spun through this web of drama kept you wondering whats next.
Opening the play with a slow start we learn that the Superstar Baseball player, Darren Lemming, played by Yjohnzail Mack, comes "out" about his homosexuality to the public. We later find that one of his best friends on a rival team had encouraged him to be honest about life, not knowing his friends secret, and so Darren acts on it. My mind goes straight to the prejuduce Darren will face in the locker room from his team mates. Not the case. Which shows us all how the understanding of this lifestyle is much more accepted by the mainstream. Ok, so what can happen now? Well, Darren's good friend and team mate, Kippy, played by Chance Havens, is the rough around the edges, tatooed, kindhearted narrator and adds a refreshing contradiction to what we expect of this kind of character. And then we meet Shane Mungitt, played by Khris Feazell. Shane is an unknown transfer pitcher, who is know a part of Darren's team. Shane doesn't ever talk until Darren and Kippy approach him and pick his brain. Through this conversation we find that the outstanding pitcher isn't much for words because he is shy, but because he is dumb. Literally. Coming from a childhood of foster care, and lack of education. His Midwestern roots show us that he doesn't have the progressive mindset of the rest of the team, and most of a modern society. Racism starts to shine through. See, not only is Darren gay, but he is black. And this professional baseball team has a mix of races. Once Shane gets comfortable with his new fame, he starts to talk, and probably shouldn't. In an Interview with the press, Shane exploits his racism and views about his multicultural team. The man who never said a word. has said too much. So much, that he is suspended from the team.
The play slowly progresses with themes dealing with levels of masculinity, what baseball means to people and a great monologue by my favorite character, Mason played by Kevin Sanchez. He compares baseball to hope in a Democratic society. Talking about the game, Mason says "Equality, of opportunity. Everyone is given exactly the same chance. And the opportunity to exercise that chance at his own pace....In baseball there is no clock. What would be more generous than to give everyone all these opportunities and the time to seize them in, as well." This monologue puts this whole play into perspective. He goes on to say, "I like to believe that something about being human is...good. And I think what's best about us is manifested in or desire to show respect for one another. For what we can do." Isn't that what we assume? Then what happens when there is a variable that changes that. That's Shane.
Shane gets to come back to the team. Darren is furious that he has to play with a blatant racist. The two men have an altercation in the locker room before a game, and during the game when Shane is pitching, he throws a wild pitch that kills the batter, who happens to be Darren's good friend. He too is black.
As the play ends, Khris Feazell does a captivating scene as Shane. The best one in my opinion. While at the police station he talks with Darren and Kippy. I actually feel sorry for this guy. During his heart wrenching monologue he says, "I'm not suppose to talk, I don't know how. I am suppose to throw, and now they won't let me throw!" This was one of those plays that is so relevant to today, how old ways of thinking in America have progressed away from racism to civil rights on all planes. But unlike Democracy, baseball acknowledges loss. Someone has to lose, even though we strive for equality in opportunity, other variables contribute to inequality in the outcome.
As one critic put it, this play is part essay on baseball and homosexuality in American masculinity, part contemporary Greek tragedy, with Darren as the hero whose overwhelming pride leads to his downfall, Kippy as the messenger, and Mason as the chorus. Betty Karlen directs a surprise, and what is left is thoughts about where our country has been, and where our culture is going.
I found an old love. The Libertine by Stephen Jeffreys, an acclaimed playwright. Written in 1994, this raunchy play about the Earl of Rochester set in 1675, has it all; sexuality, whores, King Charles II, plays within the play, and a servent named Alcock. Not to mention one of the best opening monologues eva! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMCYrqtmFpM
In addition to the opening monologue, there is scene I have been dying to do since I read this play. Act 1 Sc 4. The exchange between the Earl, John Wilmont, and actress Elizabeth Barry. He is attempting to train her in acting with believability and truth. She assumes, by his reputation, he wants to train her in something "else". But her desires to be loved my her audience compels her to continue with the studies. They end up having a love affair that changes the Earl's life, even though it does not end well.
The play was given its American premiere by the Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Chicago, Ill, April 7, 1996 with John Malkovich as the outrageous Earl. It is also now a movie with Johnny Depp as the Earl and John Malkovich switching to Henry II. The film is GREAT! I own it and can't tell you how many times I have seen it. Not only does the script stay close to the play, but come on, does Mr. Depp ever fail us! He encompasses everything the Earl is, and more.
Have you ever heard of the Oedipus Complex? A subconscious desire in a child ages 3-5, perticularly a male, for the parent of the opposite sex. Usually accompanied by hostility to the parent of the same sex. The thing with Oedipus is that he didn't choose his fate by willingly sleeping with his mother! He didn't know. There are a lot of examples out there of plays and films with themes of the Oedipus Complex. A lot of Hitchcock films and in the O'Neill classic, Desire Under the Elms. This play has some crazy Greek tragedy themes all in it! A complex, meaty story that ends tragically, but justice prevails.
Fate VS. Free Will. A lot of times you may think you have free will, but there are always other people contributing to the outcome. Oedipus wants to avenge the old Kings death, not knowing it is his father.
Eben, in Desire Under the Elms, wants to avenge his mother death, yet willingly falls in love with his step-mother, Abbie, all the while loathing his father. A little Oedipus Complex or what! Undeniably an amazing play I plan on diving into this this week. Very interesting how "desire" is seen in the definition of the Oedipus Complex, and in the title..ummm.
Little tid bit: the original broadway play was unsuccessful until it moved uptown, because of the content, police attempted to close it. After the notoriety the play was a success.
"I am far from being a pessimist...On the contrary, in spite of my scars, I am tickled to death at life!"
Sophocles lived a long life. Born in 496 B.C.E. in Colonus, a village outside of Athens, Greece, he is considered one of the three greatest playwrights of classical Greek theater. Not only a playwright, but he held political and military offices in fifth-century B.C.E. Athens. Only seven of his complete plays have are still around, but he wrote more than 100 and won first place in 24 contests. He found his fame by defeating the playwright Aeschylus in 468 B.C.E. He is the one known for changing Greek drama by adding a third actor, paying greater attention to the character development, and reducing the role of the chorus. His best known plays are Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus. These three Thebian plays were explained best by my Professor, they are a modern day Kennedy family. I love it! Sophocles's other complete works are Philoctetes, Electra, Ajax, and Trachinian Women. This man shifted the way we are entertained as an audience, and how we as actors have a monologue! Sophocles died 406 B.C.E.
This is first entry excites me. Its goes right along with my theme now. Troubadour Theater Co. is putting up "Oedipus the King, Mama!" The synopsis says it's a "Maternal Musical", mixing the classic tragedy with the music of Elvis Presley. I guess he sings for the love of his Mama! I gotta see this, so you'll have the low down soon.
Oedipus the King, Mama! by Sophocles and Troubadour Theater Co. ~Falcon Theater~ 4252 Riverside Dr. Brubank, CA #818-955-8101 tix $27.50-40.00 *runs through Sept. 27 2009
This Play is a favorite of mine, and one I have wanted to do for a couple years now, "Boston Marriage" by David Mamet.If you love Mamet's style, you have to see it or at least read it. It is set at the turn of the 20th century, where we find two women in a relationship that may be both physical and emotional. This play proves that Mamet can write for women!
Boston Marriage by David Mamet ~Group Rep @ Lonny Chapman Theatre~ 10900 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, CA #866-811-4111 tix $22.00; $17.00 for Students *runs through Nov. 8 2009
"Manuscript" by Paul Grellong was one that I thought I might have watched a scene from at Beverl Hills Playhouse, but now that I have checked it out more, I guess not. Still looks good to me. Catchy, fast-paced dialoge between three young twenty something, struggling writers. Reminds me of "This is our Youth", without them being writers, ANYWAY another must read. I digress. I thought this would help bring some relevance to my selections. It is only about four years old, with a young cast.
Manuscript by Paul Grellong ~Elephant Theater~ 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA #323-360-5774 tix $15.00 *runs through Oct. 3 2009
Hope this tickles your fancy. Get out there, see some shows, and tell us what you think!
All right people, you call yourself an artist. I do to. Then we need to start acting like it. Most reading this can say that they once went to school for theatrical training, and some have not. This blog is for all of you. For those of you who are in L.A. working on film and commericals, becuase, well, that is where the money is, you may have forgotten about what started it all. PLAYS! There are some oldie's but goodies, and then there are some new stuff out there worth reading. So I am going to get the process started for you. Each week I will be giving you plays you may have and should read. I will provide a lil' synopsis and analysis, if you likey, you should read. If you have read it, well, what a great refresher!
Not only will I post plays to read, I will also post plays in the L.A. area to see, and critiques of plays I have seen.
It's time to step it up as artist and stay true to the craft. I know people are busy, and it's easy to leave all the academia behind, but it is important to stay fresh with creativity and ideas. Reading and seeing plays has to be a part of that.
You might be wondering why I am choosing to do this blog. Well, to be honest, I am officially a college student again. With two small children at home, that leaves no time to audition the way I want, so school it is! And I am excited to jump back into it! Some of the plays I will be reviewing are from the class I am taking, Masterpiece Drama. Exciting, right!?
With that said, the first classic play I will be talking about this coming week is Sophocles Oedipus Rex. This play is OLD, OLD school, where plays began...as an actor it is a must!
I know you will enjoy this blog, stick with it and return back to your true inner artist!
