Author: John W. Kennedy
Email: rri0189@attglobal.net
Date: 1999/10/19
Forums: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Message-ID: <3809ED0B.816E7645@attglobal.net>
Well, we took the night off between dress rehearsal and opening of
the NJ Renaissance Kingdom's (http://www.NJKingdom.com)
Haunted Village and caught "Cranes". I was born too late to see La
Duse, but, hey, those that saw her were born too early to see La Furlan,
so it all works out.
It's a new play by a young playwright, one, I am afraid, of the sort
who is quite content to observe and depict character, while feeling
that the requirement to tell a story is a bit of an unwonted burden;
let us hope he will grow out of it. (Tennessee Williams was never
quite free of this taint, however, so it is not entirely a barrier
to success.) We overheard someone at intermission, asked how he liked
the play, reply, "I don't know; I'm waiting for something to happen."
Things most definitely happen in the second act, but I do not think
the playwright is quite certain yet what these things are. (The text
is not yet frozen.) In all other respects, however, the writing is
excellent.
The entire cast is first-rate, but our gal Mira outshines the rest
in sheer intensity. I must confess, however, that the experience was
not altogether pleasant for me, personally, as her character, Lara,
could have been cloned from my stepmother. And as Moyra remarked,
"She is such a bitch!"
On our night, the playwright, director, and one of the cast stayed
to answer audience questions. Mira was not there, because she wanted
to spare her voice, but by sheer chance we bumped into her while leaving
and exchanged a few words. Told her she should spend more time out
here on the civilized coast where the theatres are. (Let's face it:
B5 and Delenn were a miracle; among the dumb actioners, the teenysmut
and the goopy chickflicks, there's no room for an actress of Mira's
stature out there. Not that I'd altogether hate seeing her as a Bond
girl.)
Everybody reading this message who lives within 200 miles of Manhattan
should get there and see "Cranes" before it closes on November 14.
One caveat, though -- as my wife whispered to me: "That's so like
New York -- they warn you that there's smoking on stage, but don't
warn you about full frontal nudity." (It ain't Mira.)
--
-John W. Kennedy -rri0189@attglobal.net
Compact is becoming contract Man only earns and pays. -- Charles Williams