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| Blue Ridge | |
| Posted by: stan 09:08 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| A halfway house in Western N. Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains. People I'm not too familiar with. Better spoken, I believe, then the situation calls for, but this makes the play pretty good. Raw talk and deep psycho-emotional discussions, and a lot of Jesus -- the uproars are as funny and caustic as in Neil LaBute. When all the actors are so interesting to watch -- I praise the director, Taibi Magar. However, the reason to go is the fabulous Marin Ireland -- who, like the opera greats, is worth a trip from anywhere. OMG. The play still needs some work ... my wife finally figured out the ending (I guess). But it's funny and engaging and maybe I learned something, too. | |
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| re: Blue Ridge (SEVERAL SPOILERS!) | |
| Posted by: dmcree 01:30 pm EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: Blue Ridge - stan 09:08 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| I agree that excellent acting and ensemble, which this show has, is created by both performers and director. Very good work here in those fields, esp. Ms. Ireland who is stunning, again. I think the back wall opens up so that you do not think you are still at the center, but in another place, as well as shows us Marin’s character out of the rehab world. I was more concerned with her “confession” or “admission” in the last scene. For such a destructive character, who lies so easily and well, I didn’t know if I was supposed to believe her tragic story. And if I am supposed to believe it, I don’t like the character suddenly asking for pity because of her past. If that is where the play is going, I really liked every moment until then. |
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| re: Blue Ridge | |
| Posted by: AC126748 11:33 am EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: Blue Ridge - stan 09:08 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| Better spoken, I believe, then the situation calls for, but this makes the play pretty good. This may come as a shock, but there are intelligent and articulate people everywhere, including Appalachia. |
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| re: Blue Ridge | |
| Posted by: stan 11:40 am EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Blue Ridge - AC126748 11:33 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| I come from the South. I'm pretty aware of the brilliance and imagination and thoughtfulness of many citizens. However, this was a halfway house and everyone has such sparkling things to say. (come on Shakespeare does the same thing ... his wittiest and brightest characters are often low caste) It's not a shock to me ... it's just that we're more use to realism today and prison shows usually flaunt the imagery. I'm happy that the writer shows the characters in a high form. | |
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| re: Blue Ridge - spoiler request from stan | |
| Posted by: Gregv212 10:56 am EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: Blue Ridge - stan 09:08 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| Can you share what your wife thought the ending was? I went with a friend and we are scratching our heads and have different ideas. I agree that the play needs work but the performances are all top notch especially, as previously stated, by Marin Ireland. She is fascinating to watch even when not speaking. As difficult as I heard it was to watch, I am very sorry to have missed her in Blasted. |
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| spoiler | |
| Posted by: stan 11:33 am EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Blue Ridge - spoiler request from stan - Gregv212 10:56 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| At the end, as my wife convincingly thinks, Alison is setting up an algebra classroom (why no set, except in the Blue Ridge forest?). maybe she's always been an aide or a custodian at the school. she's delusional? like Blanche Dubois? ... always about her ... always inflating or lying about her accomplishments (Trumpian). And her meddling and superiority have ruined Cherie's dreams. But who knows what the writer or director meant. | |
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| A different take on the ending... | |
| Posted by: frankm 12:13 pm EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: spoiler - stan 11:33 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| ...I didn't think Alison was setting up for an algebra class but was setting up for an anger management group session in that algebra classroom. (The chairs were being set up in the same kind of semi-circle that was used in the group home sessions. She hadn't thought she needed help when it was court ordered but after the events earlier in the play she finally has admitted to herself that she does need it. It was clear to me that she was in fact a teacher. The director of the group home made reference to that fact early in the play. He would certainly know if that were not the case. I'm seeing it again next week. Maybe things will become clearer....maybe not! | |
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| re: A different take on the ending... | |
| Posted by: stan 01:02 pm EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: A different take on the ending... - frankm 12:13 pm EST 12/24/18 | |
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| Plausible. This may be a small school and English teachers sometimes use "Group" techniques for their lessons -- Not Algebra teachers -- I never doubted that Alison had the interest and knowledge to be an English teacher -- and she was an employee of the school -- but do you think the Principal would keep her in front of students? -- my wife reminded me that the pastor might easily write a letter of recommendation just to get rid of her -- I've seen this done many times in school systems (where it's hard to fire an incompetent but easy to pass him/her along -- actually that's the premise of Doubt!) | |
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| re: A different take on the ending... | |
| Posted by: frankm 01:27 pm EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: A different take on the ending... - stan 01:02 pm EST 12/24/18 | |
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| Yes, the Principal would return her to the classroom after meeting her court-ordered time in the group house and getting a letter from the pastor giving his opinion that she was ready to return to the classroom. And I wasn't suggesting that she was using "group techniques" for lessons. I believe she was setting up for a group therapy session IN that classroom in order to continue with the anger-management therapy she now believes she needs. | |
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| re: Blue Ridge —running time? | |
| Posted by: lowwriter 09:40 am EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: Blue Ridge - stan 09:08 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| How long is the play? 90 minutes or more? | |
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| re: Blue Ridge —running time? | |
| Posted by: stan 10:23 am EST 12/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Blue Ridge —running time? - lowwriter 09:40 am EST 12/24/18 | |
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| About 2 hrs 15 minutes with a 10 min intermission. | |
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