Comments on: So Why Do You Go to Theatre

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:01:53 +0000

As a kid, our family could only afford the 55 cent Sunday matinees in the top balcony. But, it was amazing to see famous stars in fabulous New York productions–without amplification. Theater appreciation started early.

In Washington, we’re particularly impressed by the richness of the theatre scene. Drama, comedy, musicals, Shakespeare, world premiers, traditional, and cutting edge. This variety is constantly stimulating. Also, there is an intimacy in most of the theaters here which allows you to experience the acting in a way that makes movies seem flat and distant.

May’s schedule: Communicating Doors (Silver Spring Stage), The Happy Time (Signature), The School for Scandal (Folger), David in Light & Shadow (Theater J), The History Boys (Studio), and The Visit (Signature). Should be a good month.

By: Ted

Ted — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:43:40 +0000

Well, it seems like we have a mix of performers and audience, both of which are critical elements to keeping live theater going. I hope that some lurkers are inspired to see more theater or to encourage others to feel the true power of live theater. As much as I love movies, it just isn’t nearly as gripping and powerful to me as live theater.

And I did not list my upcoming theater in my first post. For the rest of this month we will be seeing PGLT’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Toby’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, ImaginationStage’s LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE and our Signature subscription’s to THE HAPPY TIME and THE VISIT.

By: Ed Cragg

Ed Cragg — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:35:25 +0000

Many Decades ago - Pre Kennedy Center and Shady Grove Music Fair (who remembers that?) I was heavily involved in high school theatre and worked part time for Ben Lust Theatrical Supply Company. I participated in every aspect of theater EXCEPT acting (I can’t stand makeup). On the income of a Saturday soda jerk at Peoples Drug Stores I was able to attend every single professional production in this town. As a result I became addicted to theatre. When my mother bought me my first subscription to the Arena, the box office tried to talk her out of buying it - they couldn’t believe a high school student would actually want to go to the theatre.

When the time came to go to college, I had two alternatives: Science and Engineering or Theatre. I decided to study science and engineering (in the days of slide rules). I told myself that if I flunked out, I could always come back to DC and major in theatre under Father Hartke. Well, I never flunked out, so since then I have been limited to being a “professional audience member”

Once I was no longer constrained by non-theatre loving wives, I have dedicated myself to being one of the “usual suspects” at TicketPlace and PWYC performances.

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:53:34 +0000

Well, speaking of Andrew Long’s performance in Frozen, I have to say that was the most amazing performance I’ve ever seen. It will stick in my memory and will be hard to top. And to think I didn’t want to see it because of the subject matter! (Thank you, Cheryl for inviting me to come along with you guys that day.)

In my earlier post, I forgot to mention the upcoming plays I want to see. The only play I have a ticket in hand for is The Visit. Others I would like to see are both the Shakespere plays and both of the Arthur Miller plays at Arena, which I hear are superb.

By: Kalyn

Kalyn — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:33:20 +0000

It seems like an easy question, yet how can I put into words the effect theatre has on me? Every aspect of a production - story, acting, lights, sound, design, costumes - thrill me when it pulls together into a cohesive vision. It is a unique art form that can entertain, question, or move. It can be risky and daring; painfully true or joyfully whimsy. And it all plays out live in front of you in all it’s raw energy. And, when you see it - it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. That production won’t ever be performed in that exact way again - people/place/timing. It’s not a performance that is frozen on celluloid. If you miss a show, you MISS it! And all you can do is lament your loss. And that drives me to try to see as much as I can - even if some disappoint, most are memorable, while a few are true gems to be cherised forever. To think back on seeing Cherry Jones in Doubt; Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson in Grey Gardens; Andrew Long in Frozen; Nancy Robinette in Souvenir; Marc Kudish in Witches of Eastwick! And History Boys at Studio was better than I saw on Broadway. Just a tiny few examples of some great moments I’ve seen on stage that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss for anything. I can’t tell you how sad I get when there is a show I so want to see but don’t get a chance before it closes. If I miss a movie premiere, I’ll catch it on video. Not so with theatre, and so, I make as much time as possible and go as often as possible, and usher as often as possible to see as much as possible. Coming up I’m looking forward to Happy Time and The Visit at Signature; View from the Bridge at Arena; Measure for Pleasure at Woolly; and Antony & Cleopatra at Shakespeare. And am hoping I can find time for Intimate Apparel at Atlas; These Shining Lives at Center Stage; and Translations at Church Street. I am so glad to live in a city with so much truly terrific theatre to offer!

By: Paula Y. Bickham

Paula Y. Bickham — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:05:47 +0000

Why do I go to the theatre? There is simply something so facinating about seeing people act out characters live. It is natural. It is truly an art that can be mastered, but it requires patience and dedication. The whole process of production is long and drawn out. Filmography does not move me so. In filmography the “bloopers” can be edited, and the movie goer or TV viewer has no idea how many retakes had to be done. I told my brother one day that I periodically turn on my TV just to make sure it works. In live theatre there is little room for bloopers. And if there is a blooper or two, it keeps things for real - reminding us that humans do indeed err. From the actor to the light, sound, and set designers, to costumers and hair stylists, and the whole production team (can’t find a better word at the moment) the need to be a coordinated effort is truly astounding. This is something that goes public, bears it all, is out in the open - so the challenge is everyone involved in giving it their all.

What will I see in May? “Richard III”, at Tapestry Theatre; “A Few Good Men”, at Zimfira Stage; and “Antony and Cleopatra” at Harmon Hall.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:37:02 +0000

I love the theatre. I can’t NOT go. There is nothing like watching actors right there in front of you turn into other characters and transporting you into their world for a while. My love of theatre has lead me to actually taking some acting classes myself and I love it. I don’t know if I have any talent, but it’s not about that. As my teacher said, you get bitten by the acting bug, I think I have. This is a direct result of going to see plays and getting just about addidicted to it.
I think I’ve been to 2 or plays in the last 3 months. If I had the money, I would go all of the time. Looking ahead, I want to go to see “Intimate Aparrels,” and, if I can budget it, “Antony and Cleopatra.” I do wish tickets were a bit more affordable. Thank goodness for ticketplace and “pay-what-you-can” evenings.

By: Janet

Janet — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:23:28 +0000

Terry, That’s a great story about your first experience seeing a movie after having been exposed to live theatre.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:37:53 +0000

My parents took me to plays at a young age. I absolutely loved seeing live people on stage and the lighting effects enchanted me. The first time I saw a movie in a theater (The Sound of Music), I had a hissy fit. I kept asking where the people were. I was crying over the disappointment. Live theater has always been my love.

I go to plays to be transported to another place or time, or dimension. I go to feel, to be moved, sometimes to laugh. I’ve seen some very good shows over the years, but Mary’s Wedding (H Street) has remained my favorite theater experience.

By: Bill and Louisa Newlin

Bill and Louisa Newlin — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:38:30 +0000

We go to live theatre because there is nothing more thrilling than seeing the fruits of the collaboration between author, producer, director, actors and the production team (set, costume, light and sound) — and live audience. When it really works it is absolutely magical; even when only parts of it work it is exciting.

Since Feb 1 we have seen 17 theatrical performance, but that includes two in New York and it includes Tamerlano.

In what remains of May (we will be out of town a lot so the theatre list is thin) we have tickets for Ant. & Cleo, School for Scandal, History Boys, Internationalist, Electra and Clouds (by Aristophones, put on by Hart Middle School in Anacostia in a version they have spent months translating into their own vernacular)!

As is clear from the above we get great pleasure from Theatre in Washington and from where we sit attendance does not seem to be declining — but if you’re counting, you are probably right.

Thanks very much for DC Theatre Scene.

Regards, Bill and Louisa Newlin