Comment Archives: Stories: Theater
Re: “God, I Hope You Get It: A CHORUS LINE kicks high at Theatre Memphis”
Yes, D10L3 is the correct title although T&A was the original title, and-- for an old burlesque refugee like me-- the big takeaway But thanks for noticing that.
Re: “God, I Hope You Get It: A CHORUS LINE kicks high at Theatre Memphis”
Isn't the song titled, "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three," not "Tits and Ass?"
Re: “Threepenny Review: The University of Memphis gets Brechtian”
I just happened upon this blog for the first time and I can put some of your worries at ease. I served as the production stage manager for the show (calling a 400 cue, 3hr 20min evening of theatre is a rewarding challenge), and I can attest to the fact that any alterations/change (the moving of "The Ballad of Mack the Knife") made to the show were approved by the Kurt Weill Foundation and other parties involved. Thanks for the thoughts, Chris!
Re: “God, I Hope You Get It: A CHORUS LINE kicks high at Theatre Memphis”
Glad to see this positive review. I have not this particular production, but I've seen it elsewhere at least four times, and it always works.
Re: “Waiting for Ma: Hattiloo checks out Ma Rainey's Black Bottom”
I never said Ek wasn't engaging, just that his choices aren't interesting. His big monologue -- turned into a big spotlight moment removing him from the ensemble -- is absolutely moving work. But it's not very courageous to make Levee simple and sympathetic instead of bright and impetuous but a complete dupe, from the toe of his shiny shoes, to the tip of his shiny knife.
Re: “Waiting for Ma: Hattiloo checks out Ma Rainey's Black Bottom”
WOW! I don't know where you were sitting in this ever-so lovely intimate theater, but we did not see the same show. Levee's performance was breathtaking, leaving the audience speechless. It was well worth my time and my money.
Re: “Oedipus the King on Your Computer”
Thanks, Chris! By the way, that great artwork above is by the talented RahLeeCoh Ishakarah.
Also, Act II is actually here: http://www.chatterboxtheater.org/node/1657
For your readers who aren't familiar with Chatterbox, there's lots of other fun stuff on our website as well. And everything is free.
Re: “Debbie Does Dallas: Only the good parts (part two, the review).”
Buster's right.
Re: “Debbie Does Dallas: Only the good parts (part two, the review).”
Midtown and East Memphis being both geographical locations and states of mind, I'll stick with my shorthand. But you've spelled it all out about right, I think.
Re: “Debbie Does Dallas: Only the good parts (part two, the review).”
>>Maybe it's just the difference between Midtown and East Memphis.<<
Close, but not quite right. It's less the difference between certain parts of town and more the difference between the specific audiences the two theatres have cultivated. It's what each theatre has "trained" its audience to expect, just as retailers have "trained" all of us not to buy anything at full price because it will be going on sale soon.
The POTS/Circuit family of theatres has trained its audience to expect "edgier" fare on all of its stages. Not for every show, perhaps, but the possibility is always there.
Theatre Memphis has trained its audience to expect mostly "family friendly" fare (whatever the hell that is) on its main stage and to look for "edgy" stuff only on its smaller stage. When something slips through, it is disconcerting to at least some of the audience members.
That's in general.
In the case of "Six Degrees of Separation", there were at least 3 specific triggers for some people:
(1) Two men kissing--and passionately, not just a quick peck.
(2) Two men of DIFFERENT RACES kissing passionately.
(3) The kiss was played seriously--not for laughs.
The biggest problem here was most likely the fact that it was interracial. Had they both been white or both black, I don't think there would have been quite so many strong reactions.
The earlier sexual encounter in the show, with one man parading around all-but-nude on stage never prompted any walkouts...because it was played for laughs.
DDD will probably not have any walkouts because it, too, is played for laughs.
Just some thoughts.
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
Nice coverage of beautiful folks trying to do beautiful things. gp
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
If you're volunteering, http://www.friendsforlifecorp.org/
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
Heres the CDC info - again new HIV cases are indeed driven by african americans -look at the numbers of men who have sex with men and men who have sex with men who share needles. This is a gay male issue - not some mythical hetro african american issue but a gay male sex issue. So what are my "friends for life" doing about that?
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm#hivaidsexposure
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
There is a non-profit nationwide cottage industry in “HIV prevention”. It rests on the backs of gay men both black and white that were at the forefront of the struggle to defeat it when it was out of vogue. CDC statistics will tell you the vast majority of HIV infections are from men who have sex with men. However, you will not see the HIV non-profit cottage industry taking any risks to confront homophobic African-American churches, to take out safe sex ads in our local alternative newspaper because gay male sex is still considered dirty by those whose livelihood rests on so-called HIV prevention. Having lost dozens of friends to AIDS (all gay men) this is my heartfelt feeling. Does it come from a place of anger? Perhaps.
Perhaps you can address how Memphis “HIV” organizations are 1) helping teach gay men about safe sex while remaining sex-positive 2) confronting homophobia within our community so that gay men don’t feel shame (which leads to unsafe sex).
Sorry for being out of line – sometimes my AIDS med make me cranky
Enjoy the play!
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
Dislike this: If you're describing sincere people paying heartfelt tribute to lost friends--black, white, and latino friends-- as "Middle class white people patting each other on the back," you're out of line.
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
I made the video. All on my iPad during the media event. And agree, it is well beyond lazy. Thanks. Also, I think the point is very clearly made in the video that the hardest hit by HIV in Memphis are poor African-Americans between 18-24. Same demo running a high risk of incarceration. Which is something I intend to address more directly when I write about the play.
Re: “Angels in Memphis: Playhouse on the Square remembers the early days of the AIDS epidemic”
The bold engagement that needs to take place to prevent HIV transmissions in Memphis needs to take place in the African American gay male community. While middle class white people pat each other on the backs for their deep concern about the spread of HIV the cause would be better served by handing out condoms and taking about safe-sex. I am willing to bet Tony Kirschner would agree.
Also, while the opening montage is quite moving the quality of the video was beyond lazy. I have seen better quality video from an iPhone. Honestly, can’t an “arts” organization bother to do a better job in producing a video for public consumption?
Re: “Bad Cops, Good Show: A STEADY RAIN is pouring at Theatre Memphis”
A tremendous night of theatre! Engrossing, spellbinding, and thrilling. One of the best shows that I've seen this season. Thank you Mr. Maness and Mr. Moore for an amazing ride.
Re: “The Return of Larry: Memphis' joke-telling, chainsaw juggling, doer of impossible deeds is back”
Simply an amazing show! I was captivated the entire time!
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Re: “God, I Hope You Get It: A CHORUS LINE kicks high at Theatre Memphis”
Personally, I like the title, "Tits and Ass" better! Didn't know it was the original title. Thanks for the tidbit.