… bold brilliance …
This play is for everybody who loves words, word play, unexpected puns and rhymes of an unbound imagination. It’s hilarious –and expands one’s sense of the English language.
Author: Yvonne Korshak Page 3 of 39
Author, Art Historian
Interests: literature, film, theater, classics, archaeology, classical literature, ancient greece, classical archaeology, off-broadway theater books
Written and Directed by Neil LaBute, Marco Calvani, Marta Buchaca
Each playwright wrote one of these short plays, directed by another of the authors, and the acting is for the most part stellar. It’s a brisk and engrossing evening of theater.
“Sometimes there is no why … ” The Mariner
In Albatross, Benjamin Evett gives us a surpassing performance in a magnificent play.
Alone on the stage, Benjamin Evett contends with the wind and waves, the details of his ship’s rigging, loneliness, madness, thirst, hunger, loss, memories, yearnings, cruelty, and the guilt of having caused the arbitrary death of an innocent, friendly creature. His is an ultimate human voyage. We are lucky to have so compelling an actor as Evett to take us on this journey: he keeps us tight beside him all the way.
… Socrates and Alcibiades? …
I wanted to see Consider the Lilies because Austin Pendleton is such a fascinating actor to watch: he didn’t disappoint here, but he’s the main element of interest. (Pendleton is also a fine director, though he didn’t direct this play.)
…. cultural ambassadors …
A travel weary Egyptian ceremonial police band on their way to play a concert in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva get off the bus by mistake at the small town of Bet Hatikva (you can see how that mistake can be made). There won’t be another bus until morning. Thank heavens for the mistake – or we wouldn’t have this wonderful musical!
… cabaret with Coward …
Not so much “conversations” with Noel Coward — think cabaret.
David Shrubsole on piano and Simon Green performing Life is for Living. Photo Heidi Bohnenkamp, 2016.
Seating is at intimate round tables. Simon Green, tall, slim, totally charming and with a wonderful wry smile sings Noel Coward’s songs, with a few by other songwriters, and songs developed from some of his letters and other writings by Green and beautifully turned to music and played by the exciting pianist David Shrubsole.
Two Indian classics re-imagined
First on the program, Devdas (The Lover) is a feast of dancing and music, choreographed with originality and variety by Swarali Karulkar, and with exciting music by Aalap Desai.
… minority opinion? …
Some Kazakhs in Mongolia use eagles to hunt wild animals, who knew? i.e., the material is totally new to most of us so that’s what’s interesting. But it’s not really a good movie.
… careless triumph …
Master Harold and the Boys moves with this compelling force of a Greek tragedy. It’s classic and iconic, and must be seen. It is profound in character and social vision.
… when the syllabus is better than the class …
Two one-act plays by A. R. Gurney are presented in tandem, Ajax, as in the ancient Greek hero, and Squash, as in the game. Having enjoyed many Gurney plays, I was keen to see these but Ajax and Squash are not Gurney at his best.