So….
I’m definitely behind on my play-a-day schedule. I’m doubling up on hours at work and with school beginning again, I may need to switch it to play-a-whenever-I-get-some-extra-time. Either way, I’ll still be delivering quality posts. Just not as many. Sorry Tumblr. :/
Day 17: Auntie Mame by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
You can totally tell that Auntie Mame was written in the 1950’s. The characters, plots and conflicts just wreak of pearls and Ovaltine. But who doesn’t like a nice glass every now and then?
The main character (Auntie Mame) reminded me a lot of Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. She has that “I’m so fabulous attitude” but still has a good heart. When one of her typical house parties is crashed by a 10 year old boy (her orphaned nephew, Patrick, whom she’s never met before) she must learn how to care for a child. Despite his nontraditional upbringing (Mame’s got Pat making martinis and attending a grade school that practices nudism), the pair develop an extremely strong bond that is truly touching to see. As the years progress, they remain close, despite the distance. With all the wackiness in their lives, that relationship is what grounds the play in reality.
There are a whole bunch of other minor characters in the show. Each one of them is well thought out and has great comedic timing. The playwrights made use of the entire theatre space and have VERY detailed instructions as to the set, props, costumes, lighting, and the list goes on. I really loved this play but this is one of those rare occasions where I think it may have been better suited for film. The show requires so many location and costume changes that putting it on screen would really do justice to the playwrights’ vision. (History lesson: Warner Bros. did turn Auntie Mame into a film in 1958 and in 1966 it was turned into the famous musical review: Mame starring the glorious, Angela Lansbury).
No matter the platform (film, play or musical), experiencing the show is like drinking Ovaltine. But take a gulp of that chocolaty goodness and let the innocence of the 50’s fill your heart with joy. You won’t regret it.
Day 16: The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings by David Sedaris (Adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello)
This play was made up of two untraditional Christmas monologues. The first is about a New York slacker who is forced to apply as a Macy’s elf to make ends meet. He explains the rigorous training process Macy’s elves must go through, including a “dress rehearsal”. Unfortunately, he lacks the perkiness that the job requires and constantly gets repositioned in different areas of Santaland. On Christmas eve, he ends up working with a Santa he has never met before. This mysterious new Santa reminds him of the true meaning of Christmas and he leaves a changed elf. The monologue is too funny, especially because the matter-of fact delivery underplays the ridiculousness of it all.
The second monologue, Season’s Greetings, is spoken in the form of one of those cheesy Christmas letters. It’s delivered by the mother who explains the horrible year her family’s had with a smile plastered on her face. She goes into detail about her husband’s illegitimate Vietnamese child who shows up on their doorstep 22 years later. Khe Sahn can’t understand a lick of English except “shopping”, “shiny” and “Big Bird” (from watching Sesame Street reruns) and constantly makes inappropriate passes at her step-brother. Besides this unwanted visitor, the family is also looking after their eldest daughter’s “crack baby”. When Mother runs out to go Christmas shopping, she leaves the baby with Khe Sahn and asks her to “watch” it. To her horror, Khe Sahn misunderstands and actually WASHES the child. As in: SHE PUTS THE BABY IN THE WASHING MACHINE AND STARTS IT. Omg. I know. So the baby’s dead and the Mother’s character is now being called to question. She ends the letter requesting that family and friends attend her hearing and that they have a Merry Christmas.
These monologues were a perfect combination of twisted humor and holiday spirit. A merry Christmas in July to you and yours!
Day 15: Butterflies are Free by Leonard Gershe
This play was super cute and entertaining. Gershe’s set draws you in from the beginning: a quirky apartment (with a clawfoot tub for a dining table and a bed on stilts 7 feet high). The apartment’s owner is a nice young man named Don who we don’t find out is BLIND until 14 pages into the play. His neighbor, Jill, is just as suprised as we are to discover this. Still, her eccentric personality draws Don in and after less than an hour of knowing eachother, they are doing the nasty (and at seven feet in the air no less).
Their fun is ruined when Don’s mom barges in, demanding her son come back home. Mrs.Baker is horrified by the apartment and even more horrified by the sight of Jill in her underwear. After some witty banter and Mrs.Baker’s police-style interrogation of Don’s new friend, he leaves to run to the store. While he’s gone, Mrs.Baker guilts Jill into thinking she will just hurt Don’s. Later that night, when Jill doesn’t show up for their dinner date, Don begins to worry. Jill finally arrives with Ralph, her director and apparently, her new roommate. Jill tells Don that she is going to live with Ralph and when questioned about it she compares herself to a “butterfly” that can’t be held captive.
Just your typical college theatre student. Studying the craft, one play at a time. Join me. :)
