Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| It is one of my all time favorite books. One of my all time favorite movies. Yet, I have no interest in seeing the Broadway production. I did some thinking about it this past weekend as I walked by the Shubert Theater. I think what really turns me off is I don't like the idea of adult actors playing Scout, Jem, and Dill. I think it is different with HARRY POTTER because the actors are young (in their early to mid twenties) and they are playing roles that are about 14 to 17. But the children characters in TKAMB are much younger; Jem is supposed to be about 11 or 12, and Scout and Dill are supposed to be in single digits. I think the story loses a part of its essence if these roles are not played by children. And I don't buy for one second the claim that there are not enough good child actors who could play these roles; have the TKAMB team not seen FUN HOME, MATILDA, BILLY ELLIOT, GREY GARDENS, A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING, LOST IN YONKERS?? All of those shows have demanding roles for children that were played by children/ | |
| reply to this message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: EvFoDr 01:09 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| I say you do you. We are absolutely allowed to say, based on what we have heard or read, that something does not interest us. That is not the same as saying that it isn't actually good--because you can't make that claim unless you see it. And I don't think you have made that claim. Our tastes and opinions inform how we decide how to spend our time and dollars. On the other hand, I am sure we can all think of something we were sure we'd love/hate, saw it, and felt differently than we thought we would. So that can happen too. I saw the show late in previews before reviews, based on having an affection for the book and story, in conjunction with re-reading the book in a club with some friends. I happen to agree with you that I was not a fan of the choice to cast adults as the children. And as another poster mentioned, there is tons of narration to the audience, a theatrical device I loathe. So if those things bother you, then why spend your time and money seeing it? I didn't hate it. I wouldn't tell people to go running in the other direction. But I did feel some buyer's remorse paying full price (for a not very good seat because it was so well sold). And when I read all the glowing reviews, I just thought, okay they see something I don't. No big deal! There are plenty of shows to go around and be liked or disliked by many. |
|
| reply to this message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: Teacher64 10:25 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - EvFoDr 01:09 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
|
|
|
| I'm disappointed to hear that there is so much narration. The previous dramatization suffered from the same problem. I was hoping this one would fix that problem. I think that narration tends to not be dramatic and should be used sparingly if at all. I did see that previous adaptation years ago with adults playing the children and it simply did not work. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: AC126748 10:33 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| There have been many highly regarded, successful shows that I didn't want to see. I never felt the need to have others validate my taste. See it, or don't -- that's your business. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: seenenuf 12:37 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| Did anyone here ask you this question? No one cares, not one bit. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: Roz5678 04:09 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - seenenuf 12:37 am EST 01/08/19 | |
|
|
|
| seenenuf says: "Did anyone here ask you this question? No one cares, not one bit." That's a bit harsh, I think. Teacher64 is posing the kind of question that's of interest to many ATC-ers. Here's a well reviewed show with great source material and a wonderful cast--why am I not plunking down my money to see it? The question forms the basis for a good discussion about the show itself and about the B'way/Off B'way tipping point: what makes you really commit to see a show and what keeps you away? |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: robert_j 05:14 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Roz5678 04:09 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
|
|
|
| Seriously. At times I wonder if this is a chat board or academic peer review. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: steven_carter 12:25 pm EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - seenenuf 12:37 am EST 01/08/19 | |
|
|
|
| I agree with Teacher64 about this. I thought MOCKINGBIRD lost so much of its power with adults playing the kids' roles. There's an archness where there should be innocence. What makes this work so affecting is, for example, a young girl's misunderstanding of why the townsmen have gathered at Tom Robinson's cell. It is her guileless attitude that shames them. A kid naturally conveys that. An adult "acting" a version of a kid-not so much. And, by the way Aaron Sorkin, what happened to the most moving lines in the entire work???? People on this board have asked over the years things like "how can you do "NINE" and leave out "Getting Tall"? That's the whole point of the work"., etc... Well, how can you adapt TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and leave out "Stand Up, Miss Jean Louise, your father is passing." That moment, which embodies the whole theme that we, like Atticus, must strive to do what is right, EVEN WHEN WE KNOW WE WILL LOSE, in this deeply flawed world....that moment, which always leaves me shaken and deeply emotionally moved, isn't even in this Sorkin adaptation. These two MAJOR MISTAKES in this adaptation will ensure that despite its current box office success (what serious theatregoer wouldn't anticipate a drama with Jeff Daniels, written by Sorkin? Of course it will be widely attended...at least initially), this will NOT be a MOCKINGBIRD for the ages. Listen to the people talking in the lobby, and leaving the Shubert. I was far from alone in my opinion. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: twocents 09:59 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - seenenuf 12:37 am EST 01/08/19 | |
|
|
|
| It's an interesting question. Adult "kids" break the suspension of disbelief for many, including me half the time. The neighbor in this production is particularly annoying and intrusive, both in the writing and acting. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Last Edit: robert_j 10:18 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| Posted by: robert_j 10:17 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| Don't sweat it. It's only a play! After a while you learn to trust your instincts on these things. For what it's worth, I did go to Mockingbird and did not care for it at all, not because the kids were played by adults but because they wouldn't stop narrating. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: twocents 10:00 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - robert_j 10:17 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| It's only a play! But a favorite book and film of OP's. Yeah, the narrating just never ends! |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: Deirdre 07:23 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - robert_j 10:17 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| I didn't like it either. And I think the OP's concerns about not liking it if it's one's favorite book/movie are valid. I felt that unless one had something really important to add to the story, why bother and I just didn't feel that Sorkin's changes/additions contributed much. But I did go to see it because I wanted to - the kids played by adults were the least of my issues. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: twocents 10:01 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Deirdre 07:23 am EST 01/08/19 | |
|
|
|
| why bother Boffo BO. So, there's that! |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| your thoughts concerning the production may be valid | |
| Posted by: garyd 09:41 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| IF you have seen it. Otherwise your thoughts are simply your own rationalizations for not seeing it. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: Indavidzopinion 09:26 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| The two extremely talented adult actors playing the kids are entirely believable as kids. The show is SUPERB. Last week, it broke Broadway records for revenue earned on Broadway by a play. If you do not see it, you will be denying yourself a wonderful theatrical experience. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: BalbertBW 08:59 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Indavidzopinion 09:26 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| Totally agree. The actors are wonderful. I would add that this is a “memory play” and Scout is placing herself back in these scenes. When we reflect on an earlier event, we transport our present consciousness back to the earlier situation. My initial skepticism melted away pretty quickly. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? | |
| Posted by: ryhog 07:48 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| If you have pre-judged the show, as it seems you have (and notwithstanding everything you have read about its reception), then you have answered your own question, haven't you? Beyond that, I have two questions: 1. As rehearsed in the previous post, how do you expect anyone here to help you? 2. Do you want to admit that your question was really just a pretext for a little rant about grownups playing kids (one that you could have made without pretext, I might add. :-) ) | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| Don't ask us. Ask your shrink. (NM) | |
| Posted by: Seth Christenfeld (tabula-rasa@verizon.net) 06:53 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: Why don't I want to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? - Teacher64 06:51 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| Seth, seeing it anyway | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Don't ask us. Ask your shrink. (NM) | |
| Posted by: bmc 08:56 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: Don't ask us. Ask your shrink. (NM) - Seth Christenfeld 06:53 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| Freud aside, sometimes people can Not see well-reviewed film or plays. When the movie of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD came out, I didn't see it-I had seen the play at the Booth and had been so moved by Phyllis Frelich's performance that I didn't want the memory of her erased and I chose not to see the film with a different actress. If I lived in NYC I would go see MOCKINGBIRD, but since I'll only have a few days, there wont be room for MOCKINGBIRD on my 'dance card'. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| Are you sure you saw it at the Booth? | |
| Posted by: FleetStreetBarber 11:05 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Don't ask us. Ask your shrink. (NM) - bmc 08:56 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| I think it played only at the Longacre. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Are you sure you saw it at the Booth? | |
| Posted by: bmc 12:09 am EST 01/08/19 | |
| In reply to: Are you sure you saw it at the Booth? - FleetStreetBarber 11:05 pm EST 01/07/19 | |
|
|
|
| No. I just remembered a smaller theater, with audience facing south? When I think intimate, I think Booth. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
Time to render: 0.067734 seconds.