(no subject)

[plumtreeblossom]

It was wonderful to finally see a well done, professional production of Othello on Friday, presented by the Guthrie Theatre. The now-defunct former theatre project I was involved with last year made such a complete farce of the play that seeing this production was a much needed palate cleanser, and a welcome opportunity to see such a beautiful masterpiece get the kind of production it deserves. Now I can once again think of it as the brilliant work it is. This time there was a talented ensemble who provided perfect foils for each other, beautiful and inspired costumes, a set that was simple yet incredibly flexible, and the very best fight choreography I’ve ever seen in my life. The drunken Cassio fight scene was stand-up-and-cheer good (and I wish we could have) and Desdemona’s screams from under the pillow in her death scene sent chills all the way down to my fingertips. Naturally I went with the agenda of checking out the Emilia, and she was a feisty redhead with an Irish-y toughness right where it was needed. She was truly first rate. It was great seeing it with Elizabeth, Jason, and Maitland from T@F. And aaah, the Emerson Majestic Theater... don’t you just want to eat it?

Last night Benjamin and I watched Act V of the other Othello from last summer, which I’d only watched once before (edit: I’d only watched the parts I was in and still haven’t watched the rest). I’d forgotten how amazing Seth Reich was as Iago and what a fortunate thing it was to have him, but aside from him and the brilliant woman who played Desdemona, it’s mostly un-watchable. My own performance was far below what I would want it to be, and I’d love the chance to tackle Emilia again some day with some needed improvements. I dumped more than just cash down the toilet on that doomed fiasco, but lesson well learned. Theatre@First has more than balanced the scale on that count, and I’ve got all the energy in the world for our next productions and projects.

Speaking of which, I’m excited that we’ll be reconvening this week to table the plans for the future and our next endeavors. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern was such an unprecedented success (4-digit profit on a first run! PIRATES huzzah!) not just financially but in a creatively cohesive way that is going to lead us in very exciting directions. And it’s wonderful to be working with people who have also become such good friends. I’ve got a list of ideas to bring, and we’ve all been bouncing possibilities around, so I know others have the juice flowing too. Between all of us we’ve got the resources, connections, dedication and talent to make it fly high.

Comments

[kalisti23.livejournal.com]

Best fight choreography you've ever seen? Jeepers, you gotta get out more! I mean, the cutlass brawl was fine, but really basic. The hits were clean and well-sold. But it really wasn't anything to sneeze at.

As for eating the Majestic, as an usher, I must ask you to refrain from eating anything in the theatre, including the theatre itself. -Thankyou.

But the show overall was extremely good. They succeeded in their goal of making Shakespeare accessible. And I thought Emelia really stole the show.