Hello, dear readers!
Over the last several weeks, I’ve been very moved by how many people have come up to me, or written, and said something along the lines of, “Well, Smash is doomed, but I’m sad! I enjoyed your recaps and I wish you could keep writing!” I should also note at this point that I was moved because this number was greater than zero. Let’s not parse it any further.
But good news! By some combination of luck, force of will, and my relentless gushing about it, another series has caught the attention of DC Theatre Scene and given me a new opportunity for recaps over the summer! A series…that ended in 2005?
That’s right, theatre fans, starting soon after Smash has taken its final bow on May 26, I will be creating recaps of the entire 18 episode run of Slings and Arrows, the series involving actors, producers and, even, critics involved in a Canadian Shakespeare festival. And this time, there will be a twist.
Part of the fun of watching Slings and Arrows as a theatre professional was tuning in and relating (often painfully) to the insanity it presented. Ironically, the premise of Slings and Arrows is more fantastical than Smash or Glee, and yet, the stories manage to be truer. The characters are ones we’ve actually met, instead of hodgepodges of archetypes and stereotypes (or maybe theatre people just know a whole lot of archetypical people in real life).
Without saying too much more, I know for a fact that far more people than myself have things to say about these stories. They may actually have smarter, funnier, more salient things to say. I, for one, can’t wait to hear them.
So please, watch along with us! There are a number of easy ways:
1) Borrow the complete series DVDs from a friend. Trust me; someone you know owns them. If you want to drop the cash, they sell the DVDs in the Shakespeare Theatre Company gift shop and on Amazon, where the whole series is $38.99.
2) Netflix! This will be my viewing method of choice. For those considering, Netflix costs $7.99 a month for full access to their entire catalog.
3) Amazon Prime. If you’re already paying for the year-round two-day shipping ($74.99 a year), you already get it for free! (It’s part of their unlimited streaming content.)
4) Amazon Instant. $1.99 per episode, or $8.99 for each whole season, should you decide you just want to own it digital outright.
This is a bit of a new venture for me, so I’m in as much suspense as you are. I promise to work hard to give you great content. I might go crazy with the effort.
See you in a few weeks!
SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS! My personal “Slings and Arrows” type experience takes me back to the “Slings and Arrows” pilot…you know, when Kate’s drama teacher comes to Midsummer! I remember the time when my former drama teacher (who was GORGEOUS to my twelve year old eyes!) came to see me in my first professional production…except the last ten years had not been good to him. He had a gross beer gut and was losing his hair…oh well, he inspired me to pursue a life in the theater and here I am!