I always look forward to the new theatre season. It’s full of promise. It’s like a reset.
When I go to the theatre I go with fairly high expectations. I want to be transported in time and place, to have either an intellectual or emotional experience, one that I can recognize because whats being explored is the human condition and perhaps I’ll see or feel something I understand as an authentic part of that journey. My expectations are also focused on set, lights, sound, costumes, and projections if used and if Intimacy or fight choreography is used in the production I have an eye on that as well.
There is nothing about theatre or the theatrical experience that is matter of fact. Whatever is being presented, whatever style, there is something extraordinary about the moment, any particular moment, or why put it on stage.
So, the stakes need to be appropriately high, feel real and ought to be something that the audience recognizes that is understandable based on the given circumstances, on what the playwright is telling us.
As I begin this new journey I continue to want to be pulled into the story. I want to lean forward, to experience active choices, sharp and tasteful direction, appropriate and beautiful lighting, sound, set and costume design that evoke a time and place and that create an environment that is at the same time supportive of the story, elegant or appropriate and understandable.
Spain by Jen Silverman produced by Profile Theatre and Walden by Amy Berryman produced at 21Ten Theatre were the first two shows I’ve had a chance to see this season. I like to give a little context and while this is only my opinion, I’m sure others will disagree, I will always encourage folks to go to the theatre and decide for themselves.
Spain by Jen Silverman produced by Profile Theatre and directed by Josh Hecht.
A really interesting story and premise. (I actually liked this script more than Witch, from last season)
Context, I saw the first preview. I believe when an audience is being asked to purchase a ticket, wether it’s a preview or a performance in the regular run, the show ought to be ready to be seen. By previews there really ought to be only tweaking here and there. Tightening a scene shift or a cue to make the story flow better. Maybe rework a scene or help the actors find the flow now that they have an audience responding. I’m not sure this show was ready for an audience.
Let me start here…without giving anything away…work between Ms. Ash (Helen)and Mr. Tissell (Joris) brings a strong sense of relationship right from the start and a palpable discomfort and uneasiness as the play progresses and the sense of danger is fun as their stakes begin to grow. Joris’s opening monologue is completely engaging and a great way into the play and Helen’s monologue later in the play is absolutely captivating. It is a delight to see skilled actors, trained actors who understand the craft on stage together making things happen.
Mr. Trybom brings a lovely truth to Dos and the scene, later in the play, between Dos and Helen is gripping. I think I was actually holding my breath a bit. Mr. McBeth’s Earnest is appropriately bombastic and misogynistic though I felt just a bit too pushed during this performance..I imagine it’s something that will work itself out but he’s a great foil. And, who doesn’t love opera?
Unfortunately, on the first preview, the set was clunky and not yet dialed in (there are a lot of moving parts and reveals that just hadn’t had enough tech time to be successful) and it appeared the lighting design was being created/built during the preview that night. The sound design was compelling and brought a good clear sense of the suspense. And if there has to be a wig in a show, Ms. Gahagan brought it! That’s how you do a wig. Loved the period look.
There were too many technical mishaps to fully allow the show to land in a profound way on me. I have no doubt the stage manager was still finessing their cues, it’s a very technical show and when the tech isn’t working as intended it makes for a very tough time for the SM. SM’s are the heart of the show…please, set them up for success!! And, the stage crew! who were also not set up for success. Perhaps by opening or certainly their second week those issues ought to be worked out.
I know there is sometimes a sense that “something may happen during a preview” and that’s what makes live theatre exciting but this seemed like poor time management. All of the actors worked the show well. Some of the scenes were incredibly compelling. However the show lacked strong orchestration and pacing, this is also something that with time can work itself out. I still think anything over 1:20 is too long to ask folks to sit without an intermission.
All that said, it’s a fascinating story, a well written play, excited that Profile is producing it and I encourage folks to give it a go! for tickets go to:https://profiletheatre.org/spain/ YOU’VE GOT THREE MORE WEEKS!!! SEE IT!
Walden by Amy Berryman directed by Chris Harder and produced at Theatre 21Ten
I can guess why this play might have been chosen, the devastation of our planets resources and how to attempt to solve that problem. The argument is interesting but the stakes felt so low and the relationships not quite believable that it left me flat. Consequently, I found myself not really caring much for any of the characters. Until the very last scene…
That said The set was great. Ms. Bodner created an environment that was tactile, interesting and used the space in a really complete way. And, I have to say, though I’m not sure it was called for in the script, I’ve looked at photos from other productions and not seen it, the model house is awesome!!! The sound design is absolutely beautiful, Kaitlyn Gill has outdone themself with the seamless ambience which is at the same time gentle and haunting. It’s special and made me think about what might be lost or what I might never again hear-it’s what I left the theatre thinking about . The lighting by Ms. Kemp served the production well especially in the outside scenes.
There is danger in the play. Not big world stuff although one could argue that the imminent end of the earth is significantly consequential and the need to find another planetary option is critical, neither end of the argument felt dire enough for me.
It felt like the production lacked passion. It had the feeling of presentational intimacy but lack the authentic gritty, messy emotion we all recognize when we are “getting into it with our siblings or lovers.” Consequently moments felt slick and not truly lived in.
I think the scene that felt most authentic, and therefore the most satisfying, was the last scene between the sisters. Stella (Angie Tennant) and Cassie (Asher Kondziela- a new face to me and a welcome addition to the Portland scene. They got something going on). I wish the entire play carried that weight of truth, connection and vulnerability. So much was shared and the cost was huge. It was a beautiful scene.
The production felt very loosey-goosey as far as the delivery of the dialogue, actually messy. I have a feeling the script is tighter than that and can be more specific. I have not read the script but I do know sometimes too naturalistic is not interesting but commonplace and we loose what is important.
The play runs through November 15th for tickets go to:https://21ten.stageworks.com/ THE DESIGN IS DEFINITELY WORTH EXPERIENCING…And the last scene is really good!
