Video Friday: Bring Him Home
Posted: October 16, 2015 Filed under: Videos | Tags: 24601, bringhimhome, broadway, broadwaycommunity, broadwayhistory, doyouhearthepeoplesing, fireescape, jeanbaptiste, jeanvaljean, kylejeanbaptiste, lesmiserables, lesmiserablesrevival, lesmiz, onedaymore, valjean, videofriday, videooftheweek, whoami 2 Comments
Kyle Jean-Baptiste was the first African American (and youngest actor) to play Jean Valjean on Broadway in Les Misérables. Tragically, he died in August at the age of 21 after falling from a fire escape. This video was going around a bit this summer, but in case you didn’t see it, I wanted to share it here. What a shining light.
Click here to view Kyle’s audition for Les Miz.
Cloud Nine
Posted: October 14, 2015 Filed under: Becca Doodle - Happy, Comedy, Off-Broadway, Play, Revival | Tags: atlantic, atlantictheater, atlantictheatercompany, carylchurchill, churchill, cloud9, cloudnine, cloudninereview, crossdressing, drag, equality, feminism, feminist, gay, gaytheme, gender, homosexual, homosexuality, jamesmacdonald, lindagross, offbroadway, offbroadwayreview, revival, sex, transgender, victorianera, womensequality Leave a comment
The last time a major production of Caryl Chuchill’s Cloud Nine was seen in New York was in 1981 so I was very pleased to catch the revival at Atlantic Theater Company. This lovely, touching performance is running through November 1st, and I do think it’s worth your time.
Cloud Nine was a popular play to study back in college, especially in my Contemporary British Feminist Playwrights class when I studied abroad in England. How does one sum up this play? It’s about family, love, and sex. Even more so, it’s about oppression and putting people in boxes, forcing them to meet certain expectations, particularly gay people and women.
The first act is set in colonial Africa during the Victorian era, and then the second act jumps forward to 1979 in London. However, the characters have only aged 25 years, something my older seatmates across the way had a little trouble grasping, but don’t worry, we talked it out during intermission. This storytelling twist provides a unique opportunity to view this set of characters in two contradicting worlds, yet ironically, the standards and expectations of society seem not to change much between the two time periods. And as we watch this in the year 2015, we find that the topics of LBGT rights and feminism are just as ripe.
Cloud Nine is point blank and subtle all at once. It’s controversial and ordinary. It’s goofy and serious. Done in the round, this production, directed by James MacDonald and featuring a smart, excellent ensemble, accomplishes just what I think the play intends. I would love for you to go and tell me what you see. Do you think it makes a point? Do you think the point has been made before and it’s becoming trite? Or is this old play still bringing something new to the table?
The older folks sitting by me asked, “Is Caryl Churchill a feminist?” “Yes,” I replied. “Ohh, did she hate men?” I hope they are able to come away from this piece recognizing that those are two different things.
Note: the seating is not very comfortable. The bleachers that were constructed to allow for a more intimate, in-the-round performance are not ideal. The Atlantic is encouraging audience members to bring a pillow or small cushion to make their seat more comfortable. Usually I’m the first to complain about bad seating (my back issues makes me an easy target), but I did okay! It’s not a reason to skip the show.
Cloud Nine
Written by Caryl Churchill, Directed by James MacDonald
Atlantic Theater Company, Closes November 1st
Photo Credit: Doug Hamilton
Pictured: Lucy Owen and Chris Perfetti
The Gin Game
Posted: October 9, 2015 Filed under: Becca Doodle - Meh, Broadway, Comedy, Drama, Play, Revival | Tags: broadwayreview, cicelytyson, darthvader, dlcoburn, gingamerevival, jamesearljones, noiamyourfather, pulitzerwinner, starwars, thegingame, thegingamereview Leave a comment
Do you know this play? I had never heard of The Gin Game until it was announced for this season. Written by D.L. Coburn, the two-hander (a play with only two characters) ran on Broadway in 1977, directed by Mike Nichols and starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, and I was surprised to learn that it won the Pulitzer in 1978 for Drama. Thanks Wikipedia!
Now James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson star in the second Broadway revival, and albeit engaging and laugh-out-loud funny at times, the piece didn’t resonate with me. Perhaps I’m not the right demographic. When you boil it down, the title hits the nail on the head – The Gin Game basically consists of two elderly people playing gin for two hours. The conversation certainly wanders to other topics like their families, struggles, and lives before coming to the same nursing home, but the play lacks an event. Tensions rise as they bicker and fight over round after round of gin, but it doesn’t build to anything.
Jenn and I couldn’t help but wonder how successful this play can be, regionally let’s say, without powerhouses like Mr. Jones and Ms. Tyson in the roles of Weller and Fonsia. These two are royalty, and at 84 and 90 years old, respectively, carrying a two-person play is crazy impressive. However, if Mr. Jones weren’t up there, for example, Weller would be way less endearing of a character since, essentially, he verbally abuses Fonsia for the duration of the play, pushing and poking at her until she finally snaps back.
Here’s what I’ll say: if you’ve never had the chance to hear that voice live or see either of them perform, then go check it out. But the ticket is for them, not the play.
The Gin Game
Written by D.L. Coburn, Directed by Leonard Foglia
Golden Theatre, Closes January 10, 2016
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
Pictured: James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson
Rating System: Activate!
Posted: October 8, 2015 Filed under: Miscellaneous | Tags: artist, beccadoodle, broadwayreviews, doodle, meh, onthefence, paint, rating, ratingsystem, reviews, smileyface, stickfigure, thumbsdown, thumbsup 6 CommentsIt is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to the one, the only – Becca Doodle.
Becca Doodle will be making appearances with my review posts from now on to give you a quick look as to how I feel about a show.
Designed and drawn by me with the most innovative of technology (ahem, Paint), Becca Doodle will help guide you as you make upcoming Broadway ticket-purchasing decisions. As you likely can gather, there’s happy Becca Doodle, sad Becca Doodle, and meh/somewhere-in-the-middle Becca Doodle (shout-out credit to Allie for the shrugging arms idea). This is really advanced stuff, I know, but go with me on this journey, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Becca Doodle’s future theatrical adventures!
The Prodigal Blogger Returns…
Posted: October 5, 2015 Filed under: Miscellaneous, Videos | Tags: bahamas, boston, chicago, fuerzabruta, improv, improvclass, improvisation, murdermystery, musicvideo, recap, reviews, springawakening, summer, summerrecap, thekingandi, vacation, vacay, wedding, weddings 4 CommentsOh hey there, friends. That was quite the unexpected hiatus, but I’m back! How was everyone’s summer? …and fall apparently. (Winter is coming). ((I don’t even watch that show)). Want a quick recap of where I’ve been?! Thought so!
My brother got married! How beautiful is this?
I had an 80s murder mystery birthday party and got to murder my friend Neil. It was quite the evening.
In July, I went to the 25th Annual Spelling Bee Reunion Concert, and it was as delightful as you’d expect it to be.
I saw a whole bunch of shows, many of which have since closed (sorryyyy): 10 Out of 12 at Soho Rep, The Wild Party and A New Brain at Encores, Cymbeline at Shakespeare in the Park, John at Signature. But I also saw things that are still running like The King and I, Fuerza Bruta, and Spring Awakening so we can get back to those at a later date.
I went to my friend’s wedding in the Bahamas and made another music video in honor of the occasion!
I visited my good pals in Chicago and my brother up in Boston.
I took my first improv class ever this summer, and it has been hilarious and terrifying all at once.
I went to a friend’s wedding in upstate New York — noticing a trend? One more in November will wrap up 2015 for me. Look at the pretty bridal shower!
And I just had a full weekend of shows which I will be posting about soon, I promise.
ALSO. I’m going to be introducing a rating system this week for the theatre I see. Stay tuned for some brilliant drawings by yours truly.
Until next time!
Becca on Broadway 