"Blood on the Stage" is a series of annotated repertoires that cover the milestone plays that between 25 year periods. The one for 1975-2000 is the fourth installment in this series. Amnon Kabatchnik gives a brief summary of the plays, a biography on the author, cites critic reviews, number of performances, awards for the play and/or author and where you can find acting editions of the plays.
Some of the plays covered in this edition include: CHICAGO, TWELVE ANGRY WOMEN, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, EXTREMITIES, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, A SOLDIER'S PLAY, THE INVISIBLE MAN, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, DRACULA, THE HOUNDS OF THE BASKERVILLES, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, FRANKENSTEIN, THE TURN OF THE SCREW, THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEPP, TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, and MOOSE MURDERS. Kabatchnik also states which plays were based off of books or films and which plays were later adapted into films.
This is a great resource for any theatre artist to have in their collection as it provides insight and history to plays we know and plays we have not heard of.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
"Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This is the first novel I've read by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and I am glad I did. I picked this book up as the "book that takes place in another country" part of my 2015 reading challenge. While this book mainly takes place in the United States, the characters are from Nigeria and we get a glimpse into their lives before and after living in the US and England respectively.
The description on the back of the book says that the main characters are separated after political unrest in their country. While this does happen, the book is much more than that. It mainly focuses on Ifemelu's life in the United States with the main issue being race. She never realized race was an issue until she came into a country where she was made to feel different because of the color of her skin. We also get small glimpses into her love interest's struggles in England being an undocumented immigrant.
After spending my summer in Williamstown, Massachusetts I have become more aware of the issue of race. I know this sounds strange especially since I am a woman of color, but growing up Latina in El Paso, Texas, is growing up the same as everyone else. We do have a small white community and a small black community, but the my people dominate the city. I have also, thankfully, never experienced any racism when I have traveled out of my city. I know it's there. I know it exists, but I never had to think about it before.
There are many insights into the life of a black woman in America. The difference being: Ifemelu is an "American-African". She is an African woman who emigrated to the United States. She sees the differences of being black in America (where she notices the color of her skin) versus being black in Africa (where she doesn't notice her skin color). She does point out differences between being black and coming to the United States versus being black and being born here. No matter what, she speaks with poignancy and I found myself relating to some of the things being said.
Ifemelu starts a blog about her observances and they are funny in their truthfulness. She is flawed, and you can see why. In Nigeria, she was smart and strong and she had a voice, when she came to the US she had to rely on others. She had to get used to being in another country while Obinze (her true love) and her parents are in Nigeria. She finds solace in her aunt who had to leave Nigeria years before and some school friends. She does not understand why they are acting different now than they did before. After experiencing some of the hardships she learns the reason. She now has to find her identity.
This book is mainly about race and yet it is also about so much more than that. This book gets you thinking. Whether or not you want to deny there are race issues, there are. Sometimes we are accidentally racist, sometimes we're intentional. We are all tired of speaking about race. We're tired of hearing about it, but it's important that we don't stop talking about it. That's how we're going to see changes. Real changes.
Adichie has created a beautiful story that makes you think. The characters are well written and you feel for them. You also get a glimpse into the life of undocumented immigrants. You find out some of the reasons why they go to another country and how much they truly struggle to find jobs. You read about the constant worry they feel about the risk of being deported and those that take advantage of them through the threat of deportation.
The description on the back of the book says that the main characters are separated after political unrest in their country. While this does happen, the book is much more than that. It mainly focuses on Ifemelu's life in the United States with the main issue being race. She never realized race was an issue until she came into a country where she was made to feel different because of the color of her skin. We also get small glimpses into her love interest's struggles in England being an undocumented immigrant.
After spending my summer in Williamstown, Massachusetts I have become more aware of the issue of race. I know this sounds strange especially since I am a woman of color, but growing up Latina in El Paso, Texas, is growing up the same as everyone else. We do have a small white community and a small black community, but the my people dominate the city. I have also, thankfully, never experienced any racism when I have traveled out of my city. I know it's there. I know it exists, but I never had to think about it before.
There are many insights into the life of a black woman in America. The difference being: Ifemelu is an "American-African". She is an African woman who emigrated to the United States. She sees the differences of being black in America (where she notices the color of her skin) versus being black in Africa (where she doesn't notice her skin color). She does point out differences between being black and coming to the United States versus being black and being born here. No matter what, she speaks with poignancy and I found myself relating to some of the things being said.
Ifemelu starts a blog about her observances and they are funny in their truthfulness. She is flawed, and you can see why. In Nigeria, she was smart and strong and she had a voice, when she came to the US she had to rely on others. She had to get used to being in another country while Obinze (her true love) and her parents are in Nigeria. She finds solace in her aunt who had to leave Nigeria years before and some school friends. She does not understand why they are acting different now than they did before. After experiencing some of the hardships she learns the reason. She now has to find her identity.
This book is mainly about race and yet it is also about so much more than that. This book gets you thinking. Whether or not you want to deny there are race issues, there are. Sometimes we are accidentally racist, sometimes we're intentional. We are all tired of speaking about race. We're tired of hearing about it, but it's important that we don't stop talking about it. That's how we're going to see changes. Real changes.
Adichie has created a beautiful story that makes you think. The characters are well written and you feel for them. You also get a glimpse into the life of undocumented immigrants. You find out some of the reasons why they go to another country and how much they truly struggle to find jobs. You read about the constant worry they feel about the risk of being deported and those that take advantage of them through the threat of deportation.
Monday, September 21, 2015
"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials"
3.5/5
PLOT: Thomas and his friends face new danger outside of the maze. PG13.
DISCLAIMER: If you're looking for a loyal adaptation of the book, this is not it.
CAST: Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Rosa Salazar
LENGTH: 2 hours, 11 minutes
You could say "The Maze Runner" franchise was late to the game as "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent" had already started their claim to fame as teen dystopian franchises. It also seems a little out of place is male instead of the strong, female leads we are getting used to seeing as the stars of these stories. Either way, this franchise definitely deserves to have a spot in the world of teen dystopias.
In the first film and book we are introduced to Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) as he wakes up in an elevator that drops him off in a glade surrounded by a maze. There are no females here and the boys have learned how to survive on their own. Eventually Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) shows up and the boys realize it is officially time to leave the maze. They escape and find out the maze has been an experiment, but they are now free from it and WCKD (the scientists who put them there).
"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" differs greatly from the book so the things I mention from here on out happen in the film. Thomas and the other gladers must now face the scorch. The scorch is a place surrounded by toppled buildings, heat and sand. They are headed to the mountains to hopefully join the rebel army, The Red Arm. On their way they have to fight the cranks (zombie type people).
I am a book purist. I get upset when the film adaptation is different from the book. Both films in "The Maze Runner" franchise have differed greatly from their source material, but I have been able to enjoy them either way. This film was so different from the book that it's hard to believe this is not an original film. While I still enjoyed it, this film has been suffering critically and I can understand why. The book focuses on Thomas and his journey. The reader knows nothing other than what he knows. The film seemed like it was trying to copy "The Hunger Games" films in which they give the audiences glimpses of what's going on in the capitol while Katniss is fighting elsewhere. We got glimpses into WCKD and their way of thinking, but had it been more loyal to the book I think it would have resonated more with a broader audience. While the first "Maze Runner" film varied from the source material, it was still close enough to it that it kept fans of the book happy.
Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and Brenda (Rosa Salazar) are great as are Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster). All four actors did a fine job in bringing the characters to life and I enjoyed any moments they were onscreen. The film did an okay job with the mystery aspect of not knowing who you can and cannot trust. It's obvious who you're supposed to root for while in the book you're not sure. When it comes to Teen Dystopian franchises, "The Hunger Games" is still the best. I found the "Divergent" series to be just okay and because of this I haven't been a fan of the films (apart from the fact that they have their own set of problems). I think "The Maze Runner" series has a chance to go out with a bang. While I understand that when making a film adaptation they have to appeal to those that have not read the series, they have to keep in mind that fans of the book want to see their favorite moments on screen. If you change those moments too much, the fans become angry. I don't know what it is about these films, but I haven't gotten angry. Annoyed yes, but not angry. I know the power of an angry fan. I've been an angry fan and I bash film adaptations to no end and tell people not to watch badly adapted films. Director Wes Ball has directed both films and he has some good ideas and the visuals are stunning, but as we know those are not enough to keep anything afloat.
Friday, September 11, 2015
"The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner
I enjoyed "The Maze Runner", but I must say I enjoyed this one more.
Of course I rushed to read it since the film comes out in a week and I don't like being unread when I watch a movie based on a book.
Anyway, it did take me awhile to get into the book. Not that it was uninteresting, but I could put it down and continue with my life if I had things to do. When the book neared the end I blocked out the world and read until it was over. It gripped me.
I'm excited to start "The Death Cure" now. I also wish it was next week so that I could be in the theatre watching the movie.
This book is a quick read and I could have finished it sooner if I wasn't distracted by other books and life.
I give this book three stars. I enjoyed the relationship between Thomas and the gladers as well as the conflict between him and Teresa. I was rooting for Brenda and Jorge, the new characters we are introduced to. I am anxious to find out where the relationships are headed especially between Thomas and the person he feels betrayed him. I also enjoyed the parallel between Group A and Group B.
Now the only thing I can hope for is an ending that is well worth the build up that has reached until this point.
Here's to "The Death Cure"!
Of course I rushed to read it since the film comes out in a week and I don't like being unread when I watch a movie based on a book.
Anyway, it did take me awhile to get into the book. Not that it was uninteresting, but I could put it down and continue with my life if I had things to do. When the book neared the end I blocked out the world and read until it was over. It gripped me.
I'm excited to start "The Death Cure" now. I also wish it was next week so that I could be in the theatre watching the movie.
This book is a quick read and I could have finished it sooner if I wasn't distracted by other books and life.
I give this book three stars. I enjoyed the relationship between Thomas and the gladers as well as the conflict between him and Teresa. I was rooting for Brenda and Jorge, the new characters we are introduced to. I am anxious to find out where the relationships are headed especially between Thomas and the person he feels betrayed him. I also enjoyed the parallel between Group A and Group B.
Now the only thing I can hope for is an ending that is well worth the build up that has reached until this point.
Here's to "The Death Cure"!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
The Gallows
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| Reese Mishler and Pfeifer Brown in "The Gallows" | New Line Cinema |
The story takes place in Beatrice, Nebraska. A town where everyone knows everyone and the school is way too big for the small student population.
Of course the majority of this film takes place at night and with the maze of tunnels underneath, all I could think was, "This is what it must be like inside El Paso High School". I needed something to think about while my brain wrapped its head around the fact that this was yet another found footage film.
I don't like to be scared and I don't know why I still watch horror films. I need to calm myself down even if it's a film that isn't considered to be that scary. Thankfully, this film is one of those films where you can guess when something is about to pop out at you and I was able to prepare myself for them. I didn't think this film was anything surprising and new and I didn't particularly think that the plot twists at the end were clever.
The film opens in 1993 with some parents filming Beatrice High School's production of "The Gallows".
I guess they needed to make up a play since no other show includes someone about to be hanged for their crimes.
Charlie is playing the male lead at the last second and he ends up standing at the gallows with the noose around his neck when the trap door drops unexpectedly.
Twenty years later we are introduced to Ryan (Ryan Shoos), his girlfriend Cassidy (Cassidy Gifford), and his best friend Reese (Resse Mishler) who is currently the male lead in, of course,
"The Gallows".
Twenty years after Charlie's death everyone is okay with "The Gallows" being back in production. I don't know how this makes any sense, but things in horror films should never be questioned.
Anyway, Reese is a terrible actor and because Ryan is an obnoxious character, he convinces his best friend that the best thing he can do for the show is destroy the set so that the show will be cancelled and he won't humiliate himself. Since Reese has a crush on the female lead, Pfeifer (Pfeifer Brown), this plan will somehow get her to seek comfort in him.
Cassidy, Reese and Ryan sneak into the school after hours and start destroy the set and props. Pfeifer shows up after she sees Reese's car parked outside the school.... They seriously thought that was a good idea? Of course, things start going bad at this point. They can no longer get out of the school and the real scares begin. This film uses more jump scares and sounds to scare the audience which again is great for someone like me who doesn't like to be scared. If you're looking for something that will scare the pants off of you, this is not the film.
"The Gallows" is a short film. It has a run time of 80 minutes. You get introduced to the characters and the plot early on which saves plenty of time for scares. The actors all did a pretty good job in their roles and the ending leaves it open for sequels. I'm hoping their won't be because there really isn't anywhere new you can take this story, but we'll see.
2 out of 5 stars.
New Line Cinema. Directed and written by: Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff. Run time: 80 minutes. Rated R (Disturbing violence and terror)
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Tomorrowland
Directed by: Brad Bird
Rated: PG
Running time: 2hrs, 10mins
Walt Disney Pictures
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I was a little wary about a film based on a section in Disneyland/Magic Kingdom. Some of the films based on rides were awful (I'm looking at you "Haunted Mansion") while others lost their mojo three films ago ("Pirates of the Caribbean"). Still, I was slightly curious about what it was this film had to offer.
The film begins at the 1964 World's Fair (Disney buffs will know the significance of this). A young Frank Walker (Thomas Robinson) shows up with his invention hoping to win the top prize of $50 for his invention. He meets Nix (Laurie) and Athena (Raffey Cassidy). Nix is unimpressed by Walker and his invention, but Athena sees something in him that intrigues her. I really wish this was where the relationship had stopped.
We shift gears and we are now 50 years into the future. Casey Newton (Robertson) and her father (Tim McGraw) are preparing for the day he will lose his job at NASA. Casey tries to delay the layoff by breaking into Cape Canaveral and ruining the cranes that are there to destroy the launch platform. She gets caught and is arrested. After her bail is posted and her belongings are being returned, she finds a mysterious pin among her stuff. When she touches it she is transported to another land. Tomorrowland to be exact.
Frank and Casey meet thanks to the help of Athena. Frank basically represents the people who say this world is getting more and more screwed up each day but do nothing about it, while Casey represents the future generation and their passion to fix the world and make it a better place. Frank's negativity is slowly chipped away by Casey's optimism and they both set out to fix what seems to be an inevitable future of despair. The film is gorgeous to look at and the film's message is a good one, but I do feel as though it gets convoluted in all the action.
While the reference to the World's Fair and the significance of "It's a Small World" being there are fun, there were many times in which I felt Disney was promoting itself. I do understand it is a Disney film, but instead of trying to find little Easter eggs like at the beginning of the film, the whole Easter basket was delivered throughout the rest of the film. I was also very uncomfortable with the relationship between Frank and Athena. He falls in love with her at the age of 11 and fifty years later he still seems to be hung up on this unrequited child love. Can you say totally awkward? Anyway, Raffey Cassidy did a fine job as Athena and was definitely the standout character to me. The veteran actors did a good job as well and while Britt Robertson didn't do a bad job, I felt she was trying to hard at times. The film kept me entertained, but it will easily be forgotten amongst Disney's greatest.
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