HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites.

Posted by: blahblah14606 10:34 am EDT 04/03/14

If you thought keeping track of which character you were looking at in Idina's show was tough....

As it stands in its second preview, the structure of CASA VALENTINA is more than a little alienating to non-transvestites. It doesn't even begin to explore the perspective of those not in drag until late in the second act, by which point you will have already tuned out all the shrill politics. That's really unfortunate since there is some thoughtful provocative writing in the characterization of transvestites' wives and children.

SPOILER ALERT:

At this point, the last line of the show seems the most appropriate for the entire production. "What the hell? WHAT THE HELL?"

A little contrast and restructuring would definitely save this show and make it far more accessible.


reply to this message |
re: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites.

Posted by: enoch10 04:25 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites. - blahblah14606 10:34 am EDT 04/03/14

>> It doesn't even begin to explore the perspective of those not in drag

i haven't seen it but i am baffled by this. why would a play clearly about drag be reprimanded for concentrating on drag? hopefully i am misreading it but this comes off as, ok, you can talk about drag (in a play about drag) but only after you've attended to the perspectives of everybody else first.

doesn't pretty much every play "explore the perspective of those not in drag?" must this be the primary concern even of plays specifically about drag?

i hope i'm just misreading that.


reply to this message |
re: CASA VALENTINA - who looks good in drag?

Posted by: PlayWiz 05:44 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: re: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites. - enoch10 04:25 pm EDT 04/03/14

I'm curious - some guys aren't terribly attractive in drag (i.e. Nathan Lane in "The Nance", Mandy Patinkin in "The Knife") while others look great (Bob Gunton in "Rosza"). Any standouts in that respect?


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: CASA VALENTINA - who looks good in drag?

Posted by: enoch10 11:33 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: re: CASA VALENTINA - who looks good in drag? - PlayWiz 05:44 pm EDT 04/03/14

sorry, i haven't seen it.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites.

Posted by: TheatreFun 11:20 am EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites. - blahblah14606 10:34 am EDT 04/03/14

I have a very different opinion after seeing it last night. I really liked the play and appreciate a straight forward without gimmick or shock value. I'm neither cross dresser nor transvestites but I have strong sympathy both the characters and also Rita (the wife).

I found it is refreshing to see this non-traditional story line in a traditional play writing style.

I think the characters are confused with who they are and what they want so 'What the hell?' made perfectly sense to me.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites.

Posted by: Teesh 11:27 am EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: re: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites. - TheatreFun 11:20 am EDT 04/03/14

I agree. I think this is definitely Fierstein's finest work since TORCH SONG TRILOGY.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites.

Posted by: Ncassidine 10:50 am EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: CASA VALENTINA is IF/THEN with no music and transvestites. - blahblah14606 10:34 am EDT 04/03/14

I didn't think anything about If/Then was hard to follow, but now I'm looking forward to seeing Casa Valentina all the more, I guess.


reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.425931 seconds.