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Best Broadway Shows NOW

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Whether you spend your weekends watching BRAVO on Sacramento directv or you’re a lifelong Manhattan resident that takes in two plays a month you owe it to yourself to see some of Broadway’s best shows in years. Here’s what’s worth seeing now and yes, they’re worth a trip to NYC
Jersey Boys – It’s been a long time since a show has received such warm critical and public acclaim and for good reason. Jersey Boys is a rousing good time full of music anyone will recognize – it’s a show for non-Broadway aficionados.
Sister Act – What’s better than a great play based on a movie you already love? Sister Act has some real soul and it’s a toe-tapping good time to bootit’s easier to get into than some of the more popular shows but just as good.
Avenue Q – This one’s off-Broadway so it likely won’t come to your town but it’s still every bit as good as it was when it first came out years ago. Irreverent, sarcastic and a bit naughty, puppets have never been more fun or more welcome on Broadway!

Literary Perspectives of Certain Modern and Classical Plays

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Shakespeare is still the most wildly represented in the theatre, but “Othello” or “Taming of the Shrew” may not always be represented like the classical text. There have been many modernizations that involve rewriting for a more modern audience. In some cases, this may capitalize upon the productions own literary perspective or the zeitgeist of the times. For instance, Othello can be a man who climbs insurmountable odds to become a hero, only to have his own self-doubt preyed upon instead of a man who represents the everyman, and the dark side that lies within.

No two people view a play the same, and this is due to production and what individuals bring to their viewing. In literary theory, this is Reader Response criticism: the idea that 50 of interpretation is the text itself and the other 50 is the reader’s background. Especially in theatre, the audience can have many different interpretations. Similarly, for those producing a text for the theatre, the same classical play can be reinterpreted to yield very different productions. Many modern productions are based in some way around clasics, or canonical works; what differentiates these plays is the perspective that the producers take on the original.

Commentaries on Classical and Modern Plays

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When one attends a play, a certain mindset is required once the lights dim in anticipation of the first character entrance. Plays, as opposed to musicals, need to be completely focused on by the ears, the eyes, and a thinking brain. Plays are rarely, directly, forthcoming in the meaning of the dialogue spoken. Often, the audience needs to pay close attention to what is spoken. In classical plays, for instance, it may take the ears a few minutes to get used to dialect, accent or period vocabulary. This is why a piece by Shakespeare can be studied, infinitely. Not only is the diagram of a sentence, seemingly backward, frequently, double entendre is used. Double entendre requires the patron to take into account minutiae of each character’s personality, dialogue, costume, position mark, props, and mostly, the relationships between each of the characters. When a character uses double entendre in dialogue, the ‘fourth wall’ is opened and the play becomes interactive allowing the element of bringing the audience in on the joke. Whether it be a wink to viewers, or a deliberate walk to the front of the stage to shrug shoulders or roll the eyes–taking his character out of the scene.

Classical and Modern Play Reviews and Summaries

admin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Those that have an affinity for plays and the theatre likely enjoy reading online critical analysis of both contemporary and classical works. The fact that such critical analysis is available online is a tremendous benefit since it eliminates the need to seek out and purchase somewhat expensive books on the subject. The fact that online analysis articles can be updated without the need for the reader to pay any additional expenses can be considered another plus.

However, it is best to look towards those online publications which are written by serious minded writers that truly do have a deep understanding of the subject matter. Otherwise, you might be subjected to weak or banal critical analysis which could prove more frustrating than enlightening.

This is not to say that those who are novices in the study of classical or contemporary works should refrain from writing about such topics. On the contrary, they are certainly encouraged to explore their muse. However, those interested in more serious literary and dramatic criticism are advised to look for works by more experienced writers.

There are several such excellent writers publishing their work online. Exploring what they have to bring to the table on the subject of dramatic criticism is worth exploring.

Historical Perspectives of Certain Modern and Classical Plays

admin — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

History comes from the playwright’s pen, and it can offer glimpses of life through ancient eyes. There are countless period plays, but all plays written show audiences a view of the period they were written in as interpreted by the playwright. Deciphering those historical elements can be simpler than it may seem.

William Shakespeare is a widely recognized playwright, but many of his works actually give historical perspective to the time period in which he lived. Since Shakespeare lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the last sovereign of the House of Tudor, his plays offer a first-hand perception on life and social commentary during that long ago dynasty. The play Richard III portrays the inception of the House of Tudor and clearly offers opinions to its history. By negatively depicting members of the House of York while hailing Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor dynasty, Shakespeare seems to give an indication of the general feeling toward the monarchy.

Additional indicators permeate Shakespeare’s work giving voice to a general mindset and people of a time period that has long past. Evidence of social commentary is present in most playwrights’ work and can be referenced for their historical viewpoints.