Life With….

Sometimes life provides natural counter balances that are not at first blush obvious, but when seen from a slightly different angle work well together. This month I saw two theatrical productions, which on the surface have nothing to do with each other (except for constantly being alluded to by theater types), but after reflection some similarities appear that may explain some of the appeal to me of both. On St. Patrick’s day, I saw a classic of British (and World) theater at PlayMakers Rep, The Importance of Being Earnest, and last Thursday I saw a classic of current popular musicals, complete with allusions to the source material (book and movie) and pop culture references from Evita to preppy coloring – Wicked.  On the surface, outside of some arch allusions in both, not much is similar in either. True both are theater – but one relies on language alone while the other needs sets and music to convey its point – being less about the actual acting and more about audience expectations of grand theatricality. I came to each show with completely different expectations based upon my varying familiarity with each. For Earnest, I wanted to watch the actors and revel in the language looking for ways to play with the inherent comedy of the show. Having seen multiple theatrical (and film) versions of the show I was curious as to how it would be reinterpreted and thrilled to hear some of the great wit aloud and discover (or rediscover) meanings, humor, and allusions forgotten since the last visit. This is one of my favorite pieces of stage writing in English and I never tire of it. I was not disappointed by a minute of the production, acting, or staging. I came to Wicked in a very different position. I had read F. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz while still in elementary school, but did not treasure it as I did other “classics of Children’s Literature” like Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland (maybe my Arts and Crafts era interest started young), Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, 1001 Arabian Nights, The Hobbit, A Wrinkle in Time or A Little Princess. In fact I read it more to see what I was missing as I never loved the movie the Wizard of Oz – I did dress up as part of it for Halloween one year – but I never loved it. Currently, I have little to no interest in watching it. I do like the vibrancy of the sets though – they are fun. I also tried to read the source material Wicked by Maguire, but could not get through it. I had passed up the opportunity to see it before – thinking it was just a pop musical – but they became addicted to the soundtrack. I think that Kristen Chenoweth and Inidna Menzel shine as Glenda and Elpheba, and some of the songs are just infectious. Yet I enjoyed both productions – for similar reasons. I adored my familiarity with the stories, humor and where applicable songs in each as a given. But more then that in both cases I was blown by the costume and scenery changes. Wicked’s set is complex and loud – at times fluorescent green – and the costumes allow you to notice both the chorus and the principals, in unique ways (particularly in a scene taking place at a dance club when all are in White and Black except the principals). The Sets and Costumes reminded me of Tim Burton, Victorian Fashions (even though the Wizard of Oz is Ironically American) and the Arts and Craft Movement. In short they were fascinating. Similarly, the set and costume designers for Earnest, recreated Victorian period detail, while also creating a three story set that spun, with different door frames and windows on a lazy susan like staircase to indicate if they were in the country, the city, or the library, it was ingenious, and was completed with accurate depictions of late Victorian era clothing. I also enjoyed that both played with words and meaning, in a way that maybe not everyone watching Wicked caught, but that for those paying attention, the actors played up well. They seemed to know they were in a campy show, and enjoyed playing to the crowd, while also trying to convey true emotion in a cartoon show, a feat in which the principles mostly succeeded with the exception of Fiyero, who was way to bouncy and fey to be the romantic interest of the leading women. Similarly, the actors in Earnest were all phenomenal, and what could have turned into a campy trick, having Ray Dooley, a man, play the formidable Lady Bracknell, instead was incredible. He played it straight, and allowed her lines, which are incredibly funny without her being aware of it to create the humor rather then the upending of gender norms. Did I think Wicked was too long; yes it may not have needed the second act. But that complaint was overshadowed by the chills the set and costumes gave me, and hearing live, and well done, some of my favorite songs from contemporary musical theory. In short go see it, besides Spring Awakening (which is the best musical I have seen in years), it is the best thing I have seen at Durham Performing Arts this uear, and I am thrilled that they are predicting sold out crowds for the entire month. In this current traveling production of Wicked, the acting is well done and it is fun, poppy and contemporary with a strong message on the value of how perception shapes reality.  But, somehow, I doubt it has the legs to last centuries, as does the genius of Wilde’s Earnest.

All text and copyrights preserved by the author 02csb For more information visit http://www.peebesalgy.com Courtney Brown

Create Your Badge  All text and copyrights preserved by the author for words and original pictures and may not be used without author's permission. For more information visit http://www.peebesalgy.com Follow me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/peebesalgy or contact me directly through http://www.peebesalgy.com/blog/contact-me/ Courtney Brown | Create Your Badge