Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The good news that does relate directly to the great Pittsburgh playwright is at Carnegie Mellon University, where the drama school is tackling “Seven Guitars,” a big, rich tragedy that challenges presenters and audience alike. It’s good news to have August Wilson produced in his hometown, where the playwright spent more than half his life in the Hill District, and where nine plays of his 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle are set. But it’s even better when they’re done with such assurance as this.
5 comments:
I'm so pleased that 'Seven Guitars' is so highly recognized! I am seeing it on Friday, so I cannot speak personally to the acting, but the design is absolutely outstanding! It is such a beautiful set which doesn't overpower people on stage; the costumes are subtle yet fashionable; the lights are soft and dim some of the set's vibrant colors. All of that works so well together so that when people are on stage, it seems extremely realistic. I have seen one scene during a call, and the acting is incredible. I am so excited to see the show, and from this review, I am so happy for all the seniors. They are all such nice and helpful people and they deserve all of the credit they receive. All of the production crew deserve credit as this was an enormous project and was done to such a wonderful degree.
It's interesting because I was actually sitting behind Christopher Rawson during the opening night performance (I may have seen him nod off once or twice) but that is beside the point. This article is completely on point about the show. The focal point of the show is truly the actors. Without the extraordinary of each actor on stage, the show would not have been able to be carried by any other element of the show. That being said though, the sets, lights, music, and costumes made the show that much better. I wish that the article would have talked about more of the music. While although subtle, it was extremely effective and emotional.
Being part of the crew for Seven Guitars has been a really amazing experience and it's awesome that it its being recognized on such a well known magazine. The cast has worked so hard on the show and the review is just spot on.
But let's not forget about the amazing set design with it's complementary colors that are brought out that much more by the complementary colors of the lighting design. The orange lights softened the green of the house and brought out the warm reds and browns of the rest of the set while the blue lights brought out the green and simultaneously gave the darker, mysterious, intense look that was best for the ending scenes when Floyd was murdered.
It makes me smile to read such a wonderful review! This is the first show I've seen at CMU and i feel incredibly fortunate to be training in this program. To think I'll be in the place of these actors in four years is absolutely crazy. All seven actors are absolutely INCREDIBLE and TRULY inspiring. I am on costume crew for this show and the actors are constantly thanking me for my help, when in all reality I should be thanking them! I feel fortunate to be a part of this amazing show and to be able to watch them from the wings every night. I can see everything I'm being taught used by the actors in the show and it's definitely pushing me to work even harder. I hope to have the talent that these actors have in their pinkies! There is never a moment when they lose my attention. I am completely invested in their story every single night.
The Pittsburgh Gazette is right. Seven Guitars was wonderful. Everything about it was so thought out and very well executed. Not only were the actors top notch, but the set was AMAZING. Congratulations Dan. I think this show was a great way to start the season and sets the bar high for every other show. There was no way, with the make up of the senior class, that we couldn't do an August Wilson piece. Wilson's plays are truly momentums of Pittsburgh. Being at CMU and always being so involved in the work we are doing here doesn't really allow us the time to appreciate and explore the amazing city that we are in. People don't realize how much American culture has been inspired by our Steel City. I hope that our production of Seven Guitars gives people insight into the city that we live in as well as exemplifying the nature of our program.
Post a Comment