Sunday, October 07, 2007
A Cockney Flower Girl Goes Back to School
New York Times: "WHAT do you say to a director whose show wins a Tony Award on closing night? “Congratulations I’m sorry”? David Grindley, who directed last year’s Broadway production of R. C. Sherriff’s World War I drama “Journey’s End,” might well have heard that phrase a few times last June. Although it was lauded by critics, the box office sat out the party, and the show closed the same night it picked up a Tony for best revival."
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5 comments:
I didn't know that My Fair Lady was based on a George Bernard Shaw play. I haven't read much of his work, but what I have read I've really enjoyed. It's hard for me to fit it into a certain genre of theatre. I love that Claire Danes is working on Broadway. Usually, I'm irritated that celebrities can get Broadway roles because of their film or TV fame, but I guess eventually you just gotta accept it.
I've always thought it's a little strange that My Fair Lady and Pygmalion can be performed seperately, at the same time. I found it really interesting what was said about working as an ensemble, with a sense that everyone is coming from the same place on a production. It ounds like the company is very focused in its vision. And then on the other hand, you have someone like Claire Danes to bring something fresh to the group. While there's something to be said for working with the same group all on the same page, new people means more variety, more room to grow.
David Grindly attributed the partial reason for the success of "Journey's End" to the team's cooperation and experience-sharing. I agree with him. A production presented in a limited space contains different kinds of artistic elements which one might affect another one. Plus the opening time is scheduled beforehand and time is pitiless. If this production lacks all members' commitment and collaboration, it could hardly become a good production.
I think that having Claire Danes in this production brings in a nice balance between the pragmatic utilization of celebrities in hopes of box office glory and the aesthetic choice of the perfect girl for that part. I can really see her rocking it out.
The theatrical tourism in New York City seems to be directed more at musicals than dramas. The touris department needs to emphasize all areas of theatre becasue their are great shows out there that are not being recognized because most tourists just want two hours of frolicsome entertainmemt. Journey's End is just a prime example of a great loss of a work of art. Why does the public generally shy away from drama? It has been completely reinvented over the years and can still bedazzle you like any musical can.
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