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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: JohnDunlop 09:09 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - Dale 04:48 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| I completely agree. And I saw the 1950s television version with George Abbott, Helen Hayes, Mary Martin and Don Murray |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: BruceinIthaca 10:02 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - JohnDunlop 09:09 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| Is that available anywhere? I would love to see it. I actually love the play--and, given what we know about anthropology (and where humans probably originated), having the Antrobuses played by actors of African descent actually makes sense! | |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 10:32 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - BruceinIthaca 10:02 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| Genuine question, how does anthropology and the origins of humans play into the racial background of a family living in New Jersey during the prehistoric ice age that is also the present? | |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: BruceinIthaca 09:46 am EDT 03/16/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - Singapore/Fling 10:32 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| My posting was partly tongue in cheek, but if, as archeology suggests, human beings seem to have originated in sub-Saharan Africa and if we view the Antrobuses (and Sabina) as some version of Adam, Eve, and Lilith (only one of many readings), it is not simply knee-jerk "wokism" (as its detractors might suggest--I hate the use of "woke" to dismiss efforts to move dialogue and action on racial issues forward) to cast POC in these roles. Of course, the play is an expansive, ambitious reach on all levels (and, controversially, perhaps more influenced by Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" than Wilder first acknowledged--though, to his credit, when it was pointed out, he very non-defensively expressed his admiration for that novel and said he was possibly influenced by it in writing Skin). But, of all 20th century plays of the period I can think, this one seems one of the least needing "naturalistic" casting. It's a bit like children's theatre for grown-ups. (And one of my favorites.) | |
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| The Vivien Leigh tv version is on YouTube if you look | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 12:32 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 12:32 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - BruceinIthaca 09:46 am EDT 03/16/22 | |
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| actually only the first two acts on separate links, as the 3rd Act is presumed missing. She's great, with star power galore and excellent comedic ability. | |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Last Edit: lordofspeech 11:05 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
| Posted by: lordofspeech 11:02 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - Singapore/Fling 10:32 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| it’ll be very tricky to cast. Sabina has to be such an entertainer, but she also has to be very okay with being the chippie, the loose woman, and second-class because she’s not the wife. And I think that’s where the play might run aground...on the unfashionable un-wokeness of the husband-wife-maidservant triangle. I grant you that Wilder knew what he was doing, but the “woke” climate might disapprove of this and refuse to laugh. Sabina has to be deeply contented with her lot in life for the play to work. Like a Tuesday Weld or an Ann-Margret. Plus she’s like a charismatic emcee. Big shoes to fill. The woke culture often casts shame (and shade) upon what we used to laugh about regarding sex and sex roles. | |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 01:02 am EDT 03/16/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - lordofspeech 11:02 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| Mary Wiseman killed as Sabina in the TFANA production, which approached the part as an archetype (as I think Wilder’s script does), which gave them space to both embody the tropes and comment on them - as I think the script also wants from the performer. You have an odd reading that Sabina is contented, though. Modern productions have very successfully presented the opposite, with Sabina as the ultimate striver who steals the power from Mr. Antrobus and claims her own destiny. There’s nothing more woke than that, and nothing more subversive from a playwright that America still doesn’t like to acknowledge was queer. |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: ryhog 11:28 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - lordofspeech 11:02 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| Like someone else whose post I commented on, you seem to think that being sensitive to social justice is a bad thing. It would be really nice if people would stop employing "woke" as a pejorative because it isn't. FWIW, I know the play inside and out, I love it, and Sabina is the smartest, wisest, sexiest, and most powerful person on that stage. That production in the park that everyone seems to be obsessed with was not representative of the play. It was a dumb production that was presented at or near the nadir of the Public Theater. | |
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| re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." | |
| Posted by: mgm79 11:25 am EDT 03/16/22 | |
| In reply to: re: "play is very much still relevant if the production finds a modern way to tell the story." - ryhog 11:28 pm EDT 03/15/22 | |
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| Tremendously challenging piece of theater for the creatives and the audience. I have seen several productions over the years and only one was able to keep the tone and themes afloat and resonant - Darko Trensjak's 2000 production at Williamstown. Great cast, smart design with strong sense of play and whimsy but packed a shivering chill. | |
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