Thursday, June 25, 2009
Support from Coal Country
This just in: Blackdamp (local blogosphere on the arts) is a new recommended stop for playwrights. Check out interviews, submissions, and general artistic shenanigans at http://www.blackdamp.org/ - and tell them that Dae-Bue sent you!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
UPDATE: Dae-Bue's FIRST Play Reading Post
Matthew Hinton's latest play, entitled "QUIET COWBOY," will have it's premiere staged reading at Paper Kite Press.
When: Saturday, July 18th, 2009 @ 7:00PM.
Where: Paper Kite Press Studio is located at 433 Main Street, Kingston, PA 18704.
There is NO COST for this event, so come on out for a night of culture and support your local studio(s)!
(A very special thanks to Jenn and Dan at Paper Kite)
“Quiet Cowboy” is the story of Wally, a man confronting the realities of his ever-shrinking family. Set somewhere in rural Pennsylvania, Wally and the audience encounter layered flashbacks, telling the story of his father’s death and the aftermath of a family forced into change. His mother is aging, his brother’s thirty-year wanderlust has become abandonment, and his own marriage has long ended in divorce. The only guidance for the silent Wally comes from watching old cowboy movies and shows, and an imaginary role-model: a simple cowboy who doles out poetic advice from the prairie.
When: Saturday, July 18th, 2009 @ 7:00PM.
Where: Paper Kite Press Studio is located at 433 Main Street, Kingston, PA 18704.
There is NO COST for this event, so come on out for a night of culture and support your local studio(s)!
(A very special thanks to Jenn and Dan at Paper Kite)
“Quiet Cowboy” is the story of Wally, a man confronting the realities of his ever-shrinking family. Set somewhere in rural Pennsylvania, Wally and the audience encounter layered flashbacks, telling the story of his father’s death and the aftermath of a family forced into change. His mother is aging, his brother’s thirty-year wanderlust has become abandonment, and his own marriage has long ended in divorce. The only guidance for the silent Wally comes from watching old cowboy movies and shows, and an imaginary role-model: a simple cowboy who doles out poetic advice from the prairie.
The Legend of SLEEPING Hollow
Recently, I attended a very seasonal, outdoor production of a stage version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in Greenville, South Carolina. It was an “Upstate Shakespeare Festival Production” in the spirit of Halloween, in a wonderful little plaza in the downtown area; curtain time appropriately set at 7pm, which made for an exciting experience with natural lighting.
Unfortunately, I cannot say that the play was as thrilling. Written and directed by John Fagan of the Warehouse theatre, it had a few interesting “story-telling” transitions, as the characters found a journal and introduced scenes through lengthy exposition. This technique, though a good idea, fell apart quickly, leaving only some overly loud and stiff actors to deliver agonizing clichés.
The play was certainly aimed at a family-based audience, but that is no excuse for bad writing. Furthermore, seeing Ichabod Crane mount a rocking-horse and ride it furiously to escape the perilous headless horsemen was not nearly as funny (or thrilling) as it sounds. Instead, the effect came across as disturbingly sexual. Finally, the appearance of said spirit was a bit of a climax, to be sure, but revealed itself to be yet another technical downfall. It might have been better to simply omit an appearance by the creature, and utilize lighting, acting, and imagination to make it real.
I hate to sound so nasty, but the play really was that disappointing. The only thing that got me through the experience was quipping with my date at nearly every line, a la Mystery Science Theater 3000. So I suppose that it was a scary experience - though for all of the wrong reasons.
Unfortunately, I cannot say that the play was as thrilling. Written and directed by John Fagan of the Warehouse theatre, it had a few interesting “story-telling” transitions, as the characters found a journal and introduced scenes through lengthy exposition. This technique, though a good idea, fell apart quickly, leaving only some overly loud and stiff actors to deliver agonizing clichés.
The play was certainly aimed at a family-based audience, but that is no excuse for bad writing. Furthermore, seeing Ichabod Crane mount a rocking-horse and ride it furiously to escape the perilous headless horsemen was not nearly as funny (or thrilling) as it sounds. Instead, the effect came across as disturbingly sexual. Finally, the appearance of said spirit was a bit of a climax, to be sure, but revealed itself to be yet another technical downfall. It might have been better to simply omit an appearance by the creature, and utilize lighting, acting, and imagination to make it real.
I hate to sound so nasty, but the play really was that disappointing. The only thing that got me through the experience was quipping with my date at nearly every line, a la Mystery Science Theater 3000. So I suppose that it was a scary experience - though for all of the wrong reasons.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
THE DEBUT OF DAE-BUE!
Welcome to the all new blogspot for fresh young plays and playwrights: Dae-Bue! While the start of this blogspot will feature critiques and reviews of premiere performances, the focus will later expand to include news of first performances, as well as the publication of new works. Dae-Bue's goal is to keep the NEPA theatre community informed about budding thespians and writers, to help get people into the seats at local production companies, and to encourage home-grown culture. Stay tuned to this blog for debuts, reviews, and more!
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