Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The 1950s were the "Happy Days" in TV sitcom land, where nostalgia for a simpler time struck a chord with viewers in the 1970s and '80s. Thirty years hence, when technology keeps us connected on a global scale 24/7, that yearning has led us to the intersection of "Maple and Vine."
That corner with street names from Anywhere, USA, is the title of Jordan Harrison's play of what-ifs that opens City Theatre's 33rd season.
5 comments:
I was actually thinking about going to see this play, and this article is really making me want to take the time and go. The plot is based on such an interesting, and rather disturbing, concept. The idea of committing so fully to a past time period and turn into a way of life is, as the article pointed out, almost cult-like; it's a creepy image, to refuse to adhere to the present day's reality and rather live in an alternate world that is long gone, fully going along with its ideals and flaws. This is yet another piece of thought-provoking theater that looks into the human nature and its shortcomings.
City Theatre recently won a local award for the best Pittsburgh theatre. Having seen several productions here, I would have to say that they deserved it. Yes, there are bigger venues with grander shows, such as CLO, but they are not entirely home grown. City is all Pittsburgh. I was able to work with and get to know their production director Tony Ferreri over this past summer, and although we were not at City specifically, I gained some insight on just what it takes to make good theatre here. It isn't always easy, and the people who take on that challenge are to be commended. I'm sure this production will be a great kickoff to their season.
I was actually talking with Tim the other day about this (he works at the city theatre). He said I should so see it, and I wasn't sure what it was about, so I read a little bit about it, and this is where I ended up. As for the show, it is such an interesting concept, everyone should see it. The show is a portal to another time via one of the most integral parts of life since the 1950s: television. I don't know a whole lot about the '50s, but I am very excited to see the play.
I love the basic plot of this play. The idea of going back into time to "simplify" life is a thought that every generation can relate too, whether it is back in time to the fifties or to our childhood. We almost always think that the past had almost no conflicts, so, when this play directly asserts problems with the past society instead of letting them be underlining the whole play, it allows us to really think what happened in our past. I think this play is not just a way to deal with is the past simpler but instead a way to really make us think about what we notice and remember as we move forward. I love the fact the set has no walls, it is like taking down the walls of the past and present letting nothing hide. I would love a chance to go see this.
I was fortunate to have been able to see this production and I was relatively satisfied with it. The set, designed by our very own Narelle Sissons, successfully conveyed the decor of both a home in the modern age, as well as living arrangements in 1955. Probably because of the complex script, the set was significantly more fluid the second half of the show, as was the rest of the design elements. Overall it was well executed and reasonably lengthened.
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