Comments for Stage Magazine http://www.stagemagazine.org All your theatre news in one place! Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:11:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN: A “Who Dunnit” at Newtown Arts Company by M http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/the-pink-panther-strikes-again-a-who-dunnit-but-why-do-it/#comment-31699 M Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:11:29 +0000 http://www.stagemagazine.org/?p=10890#comment-31699 We went to see "The Pink Panther Strikes Again" at its second performance. We found it to be very shaky. Many of the actors were tripping over their lines and the blocking and set dressings, boring and lazy. At one point, Dreyfus is supposed to run his finger nails over a chalkboard in order to torture another character. The problem was that the "chalk board" wasn't even a chalk board but a DRY ERASE WHITE BOARD-with old messages written that couldn't be fully erased from some meeting having nothing to do with the show! The Newtown Arts Company doesn't have 25 dollars to buy some plywood, and a can of chalkboard paint to make an actual chalkboard? The tickets themselves were 17 each! Set changes were also weird! The same couch covered with a different colored afghan does not make it clear we've moved to a new place. I often did not know what was going on and was confused. We actually left at intermission as we simply could not take any more. We went to see “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” at its second performance. We found it to be very shaky. Many of the actors were tripping over their lines and the blocking and set dressings, boring and lazy. At one point, Dreyfus is supposed to run his finger nails over a chalkboard in order to torture another character. The problem was that the “chalk board” wasn’t even a chalk board but a DRY ERASE WHITE BOARD-with old messages written that couldn’t be fully erased from some meeting having nothing to do with the show! The Newtown Arts Company doesn’t have 25 dollars to buy some plywood, and a can of chalkboard paint to make an actual chalkboard? The tickets themselves were 17 each! Set changes were also weird! The same couch covered with a different colored afghan does not make it clear we’ve moved to a new place. I often did not know what was going on and was confused. We actually left at intermission as we simply could not take any more.

]]> Comment on MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: A Valentine from Collingswood Shakespeare by Marge Walker http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/much-ado-about-nothing-a-valentine-from-collingswood-shakespeare/#comment-31603 Marge Walker Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:41:38 +0000 http://www.stagemagazine.org/?p=11059#comment-31603 The cast of this show is excellent, true Shakspeare. The cast of this show is excellent, true Shakspeare.

]]> Comment on Time Is On My Side—(yeah, not so much)….Curio Stages SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Jack Shaw http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/time-is-on-my-side-yeah-not-so-much-curio-stages-slaughterhouse-five/#comment-31410 Jack Shaw Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:09:35 +0000 http://www.stagemagazine.org/?p=11044#comment-31410 I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your review of SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE. I can't imagine the stage play, but, without seeing it, I am sure the elements you focused on had to be a real directing challenge. Vonnegut is no easy study, but I think has opportunity shine in theatre with the right touch. I took a seminar in Vonnegut in college and read all of his books up to Breakfast of Champions--the latest at that time. I actually wrote a paper that all of Vonnegut's books had elements of science fiction in them. I can't imagine a play that works without careful regard to Vonnegut's themes and juxtaposition. Great job, Ellen! I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your review of SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE. I can’t imagine the stage play, but, without seeing it, I am sure the elements you focused on had to be a real directing challenge. Vonnegut is no easy study, but I think has opportunity shine in theatre with the right touch.

I took a seminar in Vonnegut in college and read all of his books up to Breakfast of Champions–the latest at that time. I actually wrote a paper that all of Vonnegut’s books had elements of science fiction in them. I can’t imagine a play that works without careful regard to Vonnegut’s themes and juxtaposition. Great job, Ellen!

]]> Comment on THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN: A “Who Dunnit” at Newtown Arts Company by Amelia http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/the-pink-panther-strikes-again-a-who-dunnit-but-why-do-it/#comment-31360 Amelia Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:47:44 +0000 http://www.stagemagazine.org/?p=10890#comment-31360 I didn't like the script for The Pink Panther Strikes Again when I read it. It was a chore for me to get through it. So I went to see the show to support fellow actors and without high expectations. The "sophomoric humor" had me in stitches the entire time. From the leads all through the supporting cast, everyone knew what this show was about and how it needed to be played to be effective. In particular, there was a scene in a bar filled with assassins that was so well done that I almost felt like I was watching an episode of "Get Smart". If I didn't know already, I would not have suspected that at least half of the people involved in the scene had never done fight choreography before. I actually enjoyed the "Panthers" and the set changes. I think adding to the fact that they took twenty minutes total time was that there were so many set changes and that they were elaborate. But twenty minutes spread over eighteen changes didn't make me restless. I've seen (and have been in shows) that have had longer and more awkward set changes. This is community theater and isn't the goal to give our community (and our actors) a variety of types of entertainment to choose from? If there are actors and audiences members who want a slapstick comedy, who are we to tell them that it's not "real theater"? Theater is a broad term that is applied to many different types of events ranging from Shakespeare to Blue Man Group to Sondheim to Cirque du Solei to Tennesee Williams to shows like this and so much more. But even all that aside, this was supposed to be a review on the production and not a critique on what shows Newtown Arts Company picks for their season. Why deprive a talented cast of a real review of their talents in a show that they obviously put a lot of work into just because you have a gripe with the show that was chosen? I didn’t like the script for The Pink Panther Strikes Again when I read it. It was a chore for me to get through it. So I went to see the show to support fellow actors and without high expectations. The “sophomoric humor” had me in stitches the entire time. From the leads all through the supporting cast, everyone knew what this show was about and how it needed to be played to be effective. In particular, there was a scene in a bar filled with assassins that was so well done that I almost felt like I was watching an episode of “Get Smart”. If I didn’t know already, I would not have suspected that at least half of the people involved in the scene had never done fight choreography before.

I actually enjoyed the “Panthers” and the set changes. I think adding to the fact that they took twenty minutes total time was that there were so many set changes and that they were elaborate. But twenty minutes spread over eighteen changes didn’t make me restless. I’ve seen (and have been in shows) that have had longer and more awkward set changes.

This is community theater and isn’t the goal to give our community (and our actors) a variety of types of entertainment to choose from? If there are actors and audiences members who want a slapstick comedy, who are we to tell them that it’s not “real theater”? Theater is a broad term that is applied to many different types of events ranging from Shakespeare to Blue Man Group to Sondheim to Cirque du Solei to Tennesee Williams to shows like this and so much more. But even all that aside, this was supposed to be a review on the production and not a critique on what shows Newtown Arts Company picks for their season. Why deprive a talented cast of a real review of their talents in a show that they obviously put a lot of work into just because you have a gripe with the show that was chosen?

]]> Comment on THE PILLOWMAN At Bootless Artworks Is A True Gem by A Small Delaware Theatre Company « lyric7264 http://www.stagemagazine.org/2011/03/the-pillow-man-at-bootless-artworks-is-a-true-gem/#comment-31245 A Small Delaware Theatre Company « lyric7264 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:23:01 +0000 http://stagepartners.org/?p=4291#comment-31245 [...] Stage Magazine photo credit [...] [...] Stage Magazine photo credit [...]

]]> Comment on Philadelphia Theatre Company’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS: A Momentous Must-See Musical by Debra Miller http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/01/philadelphia-theatre-companys-the-scottsboro-boys-a-momentous-must-see-musical/#comment-31078 Debra Miller Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:17:31 +0000 http://stagepartners.org/?p=10477#comment-31078 Philadelphia Theatre Company just announced that they have added one final performance of this extraordinary production, on Sunday, February 19, at 7:30 PM, in response to the great critical acclaim and popular demand. The show has been playing to sold-out audiences, but must close after this one additional performance, so this is your last chance to see the musical that everyone is talking about!. Philadelphia Theatre Company just announced that they have added one final performance of this extraordinary production, on Sunday, February 19, at 7:30 PM, in response to the great critical acclaim and popular demand. The show has been playing to sold-out audiences, but must close after this one additional performance, so this is your last chance to see the musical that everyone is talking about!.

]]> Comment on MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS: Fascinating and So Much Fun! by Buckle Up for Moonlight and Magnolias’ wild ride through the making of Gone with the Wind : Mainstage Center for the Arts http://www.stagemagazine.org/2011/06/moonlight-and-magnolias-fascinating-and-so-much-fun/#comment-30988 Buckle Up for Moonlight and Magnolias’ wild ride through the making of Gone with the Wind : Mainstage Center for the Arts Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:19:26 +0000 http://stagepartners.org/?p=5835#comment-30988 [...] If you love theatre and film, Moonlight and Magnolias is the play for you.” (complete review at http://www.stagemagazine.org/2011/06/moonlight-and-magnolias-fascinating-and-so-much-fun/ ). Samantha Morrone of South Philadelphia, portrays Miss Poppenghul, Selznick’s harried [...] [...] If you love theatre and film, Moonlight and Magnolias is the play for you.” (complete review at http://www.stagemagazine.org/2011/06/moonlight-and-magnolias-fascinating-and-so-much-fun/ ). Samantha Morrone of South Philadelphia, portrays Miss Poppenghul, Selznick’s harried [...]

]]> Comment on DIVA IS IN THE DETAILS: Find your own white horse by Mom http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/diva-is-in-the-details-find-your-own-white-horse/#comment-30962 Mom Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:35:08 +0000 http://stagepartners.org/?p=10271#comment-30962 The emotional ride must be something! Can't imagine it. The emotional ride must be something! Can’t imagine it.

]]> Comment on THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN: A “Who Dunnit” at Newtown Arts Company by MJ http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/the-pink-panther-strikes-again-a-who-dunnit-but-why-do-it/#comment-30855 MJ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:43:33 +0000 http://www.stagemagazine.org/?p=10890#comment-30855 why be so hard on local theater? the pink panther is filled with sophormic humor.. that's the idea of the "pink panther". The set changes may have taken a little longer than expected, but I thought it was clever they way it was weaved into the show. the effort of the cast was terrific, they were all spot on and fun to watch. I saw opening night with a lighter audience and everyone that I spoke with enjoyed it. the idea of local theater is to have the support of the community. if reviews like this come out, people may decide not to go and I'm wondering how that helps and shows support. I'm very surprised by this type of review. Wondering if I would support your monarch theater troupe? why be so hard on local theater? the pink panther is filled with sophormic humor.. that’s the idea of the “pink panther”. The set changes may have taken a little longer than expected, but I thought it was clever they way it was weaved into the show. the effort of the cast was terrific, they were all spot on and fun to watch. I saw opening night with a lighter audience and everyone that I spoke with enjoyed it. the idea of local theater is to have the support of the community. if reviews like this come out, people may decide not to go and I’m wondering how that helps and shows support. I’m very surprised by this type of review. Wondering if I would support your monarch theater troupe?

]]> Comment on THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN: A “Who Dunnit” at Newtown Arts Company by Stacey Berman http://www.stagemagazine.org/2012/02/the-pink-panther-strikes-again-a-who-dunnit-but-why-do-it/#comment-30850 Stacey Berman Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:30:14 +0000 http://www.stagemagazine.org/?p=10890#comment-30850 I was able to catch the show with a friend and had so much fun, I will go back again tonight with my husband and more family and friends. All the acting was spectacular, engaging, funny, and craftful, especially by Margaret DeAngelis/Olga. Judging by the packed house and the laughter, I am not alone in my thoughts here. A bit confused by your call for loftiness in the theater. Yes the humor was silly, but that's exactly the point, isn't it? No one goes to see The Pink Panther if they want "Long Day's Journey Into Night" or "Children of a Lesser God", they go to the Pink Panther for belly laughs, silliness and lose oneself for a few hours in the charm. This play provided that and then some. I would encourage anybody who wants to allow themselves to giggle a little and escape in classic fun, go see this (twice!). If you expect anything else from the Pink Panther - you're missing the whole point. Great show! I was able to catch the show with a friend and had so much fun, I will go back again tonight with my husband and more family and friends. All the acting was spectacular, engaging, funny, and craftful, especially by Margaret DeAngelis/Olga. Judging by the packed house and the laughter, I am not alone in my thoughts here.

A bit confused by your call for loftiness in the theater. Yes the humor was silly, but that’s exactly the point, isn’t it? No one goes to see The Pink Panther if they want “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” or “Children of a Lesser God”, they go to the Pink Panther for belly laughs, silliness and lose oneself for a few hours in the charm. This play provided that and then some. I would encourage anybody who wants to allow themselves to giggle a little and escape in classic fun, go see this (twice!). If you expect anything else from the Pink Panther – you’re missing the whole point. Great show!

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