So much to talk about, so little time.
I recently say the Program in Educational Theatre's production of Kindertransport. It's a play about a young girl growing up in occupied Germany whose parents choose to send her to England to avoid the concentration camps. The production was directed by David Montgomery and played at the historic Provincetown Playhouse. Overall, it was a good show - most of my complaints had to do with the script needing to be trimmed. After the show, there were survivors of the real Kindertransport who spoke to the audience. It was fascinating to see them on stage telling their own personal stories. It was a great night.
Speaking of the Provincetown, I hear that Edward Albee is re-directing two of his best one-acts, American Dream and The Sandbox. Back in the day, many of Albee's plays premiered at the Provincetown, which is on the Western side of Washington Square Park. Albee is one of my all-time favorite playwrights, and I'm hoping to be able to catch this new (old) set of one-acts as I've never seen them produced.
A few weeks ago, I saw the touring company of Macbeth starring Patrick Stewart. It was a bit of a sensation due to its featuring of Captain Piccard as well as some innovative interpretation of the witches. I really loved the show because the director was clever in his choices and the actors seemed to really get into the depths of their characters. I wasn't completely sold on the witches' rap, but the accompanying projections against the stark white walls helped me get into it more.
I also recently saw Richard Foreman's new show, Deep Trance Behavior in Potatoland. If anyone has seen Foreman, you know it's hard to convey the experience in words because that's just what it is - an experience. I wrote a paper about this show for a class I'm taking with Richard Schechner so I don't feel like rehashing my reaction here, but in a nutshell, I would recommend it. It's still playing so go check it out.
And finally, not a play but still worthy of mentioning, I was able to watch a taping of Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago. I must say that this was one of the best things I've done since moving to New York. Although I did start waiting in line at 4am for tickets, it was completely worth it. To be in that historic studio was amazing and I felt so refreshed because I've never done anything like it. The show was also hilarious, but I was so intrigued with watching the goings-on of the backstage folks who are carrying out their work right before your eyes and just behind the camera. There were times when I thought the backstage people were the real show - it was kind of surreal. If you haven't gone to a taping of SNL, you really should treat yourself.
That's all for now in the tales of my adventures!