Monday, June 13, 2005
The Play
OK, having seen the play multiple times now, I feel like it's time to comment on it. Needless to say I like it. I've watched it three times now, and it never bores. Obviously the most engaging thing about it is it changes each time I see it. Sure, it's pretty much the same, but there are definitely subtle differences. The first big one is Jeff's adlib at the beginning of the scene with all three of them. Cracks my shit up everything. Also, Nell's slap at the end has come at a different point every time. I commented to her about this the second time I saw the show, and I almost commented about it again last night, but I didn't want her to become conscious of it because the coolest thing about it it is you can totally watch her character coming to that point each and ever time. Speaking of character, watching Nell and Darren embody these characters has been awesome. The first few times we got together, it was clear that they both had an appreciation for the material. Exhibit A being Darren wanting the screenings of Eva to keep going. The way they play off each other is great. Knowing the script I can tell when they mess up the lines, but it never really feels like a mistake because they've got the conversational style of the characters so well developed.
Admittedly I do have a few problems with the play. There are a few moments where it feels like Frank injected some conversational stylings of our group of friends rather than the characters style. True, these characters are probably people who would hang out with us in real life, but it's still a little jarring. Also, it's a little weird to have a marriage being affected by this affair. I don't know what it is, but a marriage seems above an affair based on a mutual love of erotic fan fiction. However, as the show has gone on, this has bothered me less and less, which is probably a testament to the chemistry of Nell and Darren.
Certainly I'm biased, I was production manager. However, I purposely stayed out of the rehearsal process for most of the time to try and be as objective as possible once the show went up. One thing is for sure, I definitely rekindled my love for theater with this whole process. Who knows, maybe I'll even act again...
Admittedly I do have a few problems with the play. There are a few moments where it feels like Frank injected some conversational stylings of our group of friends rather than the characters style. True, these characters are probably people who would hang out with us in real life, but it's still a little jarring. Also, it's a little weird to have a marriage being affected by this affair. I don't know what it is, but a marriage seems above an affair based on a mutual love of erotic fan fiction. However, as the show has gone on, this has bothered me less and less, which is probably a testament to the chemistry of Nell and Darren.
Certainly I'm biased, I was production manager. However, I purposely stayed out of the rehearsal process for most of the time to try and be as objective as possible once the show went up. One thing is for sure, I definitely rekindled my love for theater with this whole process. Who knows, maybe I'll even act again...
