TribLIVE: Ask Ted Pappas to name a theatrical masterpiece, and he offers a half-dozen titles.
Not coincidentally, all six are the Pittsburgh Public Theater producing artistic director's choices for the company's 2013-14 Masterpiece Season.
Between Sept. 26 and June 29, 2014, the Public will offer three dramas, a musical, a comedy and a farce that measure up to Pappas' standards for greatness.
5 comments:
I absolutely support the idea of reverting to old classics. Looking back at what has been done is a great way to refresh us as artists, young and old, about what has been successful in a true conveyance of themes, ideas, and messages. I of course think that exploring new ways of writing is always good and keeps the theatre scene fresh, but, and this may not be true of theatre, what I've scene on television recently is poor writing with uninteresting plots. The classics are classics for a reason, so why not pull from them what we can? As for a definition of a masterpiece, that can change with each person. However, I do feel like if a piece can transcend time and still be successful, then it can be called a masterpiece.
The idea of a classic season seem like a fantastic one and i think this season will be a wonderful season. Reviving classics always attracts a larger crowds. It is a great way to keep profits up and attract already theater goes to see more. However I am always in support of putting on a season of new works in responsive to the "master piece season", to put forth an effort of creating new masterpieces.
I love the idea of having a season of classics. I also love that CMU is doing a season of all American classic works as our Mainstage season. Like Jacquelyn, I believe classics are classics for a reason. There are so many wonderful new works in the world today, but classics will ALWAYS be classics, and I can't wait to see what shows from today are classics in 100 years. I really do love classics and would love to see what they are doing with their season at the Public.
In high-school I attended many shows at the O'Reily and enjoyed almost all of them, especially God of Carnage that was right up my alley. This looks like a super interesting season especially the one man take of The Illiad. I would love to see that as well as the last two Candida and Noises Off. I don't agree with the reasoning behind the masterpiece season though. There is a lot of bad stuff getting published, but its also much easier to get published so its more worth it for people to try. I think that there is probably plenty of good stuff out there, you just have to look harder because its buried under loads of bad stuff.
A season of classics to reinvigorate the up and coming new works does seem to be a good idea. It is always wise to look to the masters of the past if you intend to be a master in the future. I agree with the decision, and I hope that young playwrights do realize what they need to keep of the old and what they can bring in that is new and unique to them.
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