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re: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar"

Posted by: WWriter 12:51 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar" - UWS_JIM 10:21 am EDT 03/31/14

I saw a very early preview of the Library, so take what I say with the appropriate serving of salt.

It feels like a screenplay, not a play. Many scenes, different locations, etc., but no scenery to speak of, just tables.

It's lit so darkly that you can barely see people's faces. It wasn't until his 3rd or 4th appearance that I recognized Michael O'Keeffe, because it was the first time I got an actual look at him. The lighting is a bad, bad idea--distancing, annoying, and headache-producing.

The play itself is occasionally quite interesting, but not that often, and the whole was less than the sum of its parts.

The girl was uncertain, Taylor was good but mostly doing what she always does, O'Keeffe and Jennifer W were good, but no one was great.

On a whole, it lacks luster.

Or did during that early preview.


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re: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar"

Posted by: larry13 08:55 am EDT 04/01/14
In reply to: re: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar" - WWriter 12:51 pm EDT 03/31/14

Haven't seen "The Library," but I just want to address the comment you make in your second paragraph. MANY of the new plays I see today seem like screenplays, not plays. I wonder if the writers know--or care--about the difference. Ditto the producing company.
Short, short scenes and, yes, usually different locations. Often an opportunity(doesn't seem like it here)to show off the stage equipment and/or the scenic designer's skill. Anything to distract from meaningful dialogue that may get you somewhere.

Of course, the playwright MIGHT be making a comment about how people interact today. If so, that's getting very old fast. How many more plays and characters do we need to see making this point?
And/or, as another thread(Encores and Roundabout trimming shows)mentions, is this what theaters nowadays think audiences want? Shorter and shorter attention spans? Movies, not plays, to get audiences in?


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re: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar"

Posted by: WWriter 09:29 am EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: re: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar" - larry13 08:55 am EDT 04/01/14

I agree with you wholeheartedly. And, beside everything else, the scene changes are total momentum destroyers even when the show is good.


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Thanks very much! nmi

Posted by: UWS_JIM 12:55 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: re: Any comments on "The Library" or how Hanke is in "Buyer and Cellar" - WWriter 12:51 pm EDT 03/31/14

nmi


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