Third Night Not So Much A Charm

So three incredible nights out in a row is a bit much to ask for, even in Los Angeles. On Saturday night I went to see a play, one that I was very excited about because it was penned by a playwright I love and got good reviews in the LA Weekly.

Not so hot a show in my book. Call me crazy, but when things happen - like murders or seductions or screams or weird interludes - people in the scene should react. They might not have to react realistically (in fact, please don't), but they should somehow acknowledge that something is happening a mere two or three feet away from them. Also, lines should be said at different paces, just as movement should occur. Also, not every word is as important as every other word; sometimes the idea behind a long long list is that you don't catch every item on it. Also, even if it is a tragedy, not every moment needs to oppress me with its goddamn heaviness. Also, people should move from time to time, even if they are delivering a long monologue. Finally, a director shouldn't rely completely on the text to convey to the audience all the emotions and issues and meanings and events in the story. Because if it were just a matter of reading out loud, then there's no real reason to stage it, and no real reason for a director.