Staff not at their best but another solid show on stage! Notice to come. See a show this weekend!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
One of the longest running and most successful ventures in the history of the London theatre scene has now been brought to Oxnard. The Woman in Black is a fascinating and ambitious undertaking presented with a unique style of storytelling seldom seen in Ventura County.
The majority of shows produced in area fall into a predictable pattern of production and presentation. The Woman in Black, currently on stage at the Elite Theatre Company in Oxnard, does not fall in to that convention. The tale is told in a distinctive and creative way that exposes local audiences to one of the traits that made this show a long running sensation on the British Stage.
At the onset, we find an awkward and nervous “actor” (Terry Fishman) in the throes of reading aloud from pages of a manuscript that he himself has penned. Now voicing it for the first time, he is urged on to better his performance by a young professional actor and director (Curtis Cline). Soon we learn that both men are in a theatre with the shared goal of telling the story of Arthur Kipps to the public, but with very different motives. The younger sees the deep dramatic value of the yarn, both as a human experience and as a haunting ghost story; whereas the writer of the tale wishes only to unburden his soul of the events he lived by speaking them in a public forum. As the play within the play unfolds, we see what is ostensibly a final dress rehearsal of a multi layered autobiographical play that the two men have prepared for public consumption in the local London theatre district. In their play, Cline plays the part of the Kipps as a younger man, and Fishman takes on the roles of the various people that Kipps met along the way, all of whom are brought together by the recent death of a mysterious and troubled woman who lived and died secluded in a house so surrounded by marshland that the path to it is only visible at low tide.
The “actors” guide us through the story of the unsuspecting and diligent Kipps on his journey to the enigma of a woman’s now empty house. In due course, we discover that whenever the ghost of the woman in black is seen, a child dies. As they prepare their story for presentation, they discuss story-telling techniques of the late Victorian age, including the recent innovation of recorded sound and modern theatrical ambiance. All the while they remain under the constant and watchful eye of the ever present Woman (Debbie Price) dressed all in black, whose existence is a source of both fear and excitement to the men as they prepare their production. Their play, as well as ours, culminates in a startling dream like a final scene where reality is intermingled with the supernatural and eventually we see that the storytellers have become a part of the narrative as they told it.
So successful was the original stage production that it was made in to a film of the same name, starring a now grown Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame as the youthful Kipps. The movie focused on the ghost story, but it is the unusual structure and individual boldness of concept that made the stage play such a hit. Those essentials are alive in this production and are further supported by strong acting and many fine production elements.
Fishman takes on the mammoth task of building a multitude of diverse characters, all the while playing a man learning to be an actor. He skillfully delineates dialects and his face tells a different story for each character he plays. Cline plays well the energetic and younger version of Kipps, and Price adds mystery and presence in the silent title role. Director Tom Eubanks braves the difficult script well and succeeds particularly well in building a strong relationship between the two male leads. Eubanks offers up a skillfully staged production that makes use of every inch of the intimate theatre. The costumes suggest well the time and the set by Eubanks is a prime example of ingenuity and inventiveness, though it is at times under used. The show occasionally lacks the jump that one desires in a ghost story, but strong characters, able performers, and a clear grasp of the theatrical value of the piece are well at work here. This show is as difficult as it is stirring and deserves to be performed more often by venues such as this.
The Woman in Black runs through Sept. 16th at the Elite Theatre in Oxnard. http://www.elitetheatre.org/
One of the longest running and most successful ventures in the history of the London theatre scene has now been brought to Oxnard. The Woman in Black is a fascinating and ambitious undertaking presented with a unique style of storytelling seldom seen in Ventura County.
The majority of shows produced in area fall into a predictable pattern of production and presentation. The Woman in Black, currently on stage at the Elite Theatre Company in Oxnard, does not fall in to that convention. The tale is told in a distinctive and creative way that exposes local audiences to one of the traits that made this show a long running sensation on the British Stage.
At the onset, we find an awkward and nervous “actor” (Terry Fishman) in the throes of reading aloud from pages of a manuscript that he himself has penned. Now voicing it for the first time, he is urged on to better his performance by a young professional actor and director (Curtis Cline). Soon we learn that both men are in a theatre with the shared goal of telling the story of Arthur Kipps to the public, but with very different motives. The younger sees the deep dramatic value of the yarn, both as a human experience and as a haunting ghost story; whereas the writer of the tale wishes only to unburden his soul of the events he lived by speaking them in a public forum. As the play within the play unfolds, we see what is ostensibly a final dress rehearsal of a multi layered autobiographical play that the two men have prepared for public consumption in the local London theatre district. In their play, Cline plays the part of the Kipps as a younger man, and Fishman takes on the roles of the various people that Kipps met along the way, all of whom are brought together by the recent death of a mysterious and troubled woman who lived and died secluded in a house so surrounded by marshland that the path to it is only visible at low tide.
The “actors” guide us through the story of the unsuspecting and diligent Kipps on his journey to the enigma of a woman’s now empty house. In due course, we discover that whenever the ghost of the woman in black is seen, a child dies. As they prepare their story for presentation, they discuss story-telling techniques of the late Victorian age, including the recent innovation of recorded sound and modern theatrical ambiance. All the while they remain under the constant and watchful eye of the ever present Woman (Debbie Price) dressed all in black, whose existence is a source of both fear and excitement to the men as they prepare their production. Their play, as well as ours, culminates in a startling dream like a final scene where reality is intermingled with the supernatural and eventually we see that the storytellers have become a part of the narrative as they told it.
So successful was the original stage production that it was made in to a film of the same name, starring a now grown Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame as the youthful Kipps. The movie focused on the ghost story, but it is the unusual structure and individual boldness of concept that made the stage play such a hit. Those essentials are alive in this production and are further supported by strong acting and many fine production elements.
Fishman takes on the mammoth task of building a multitude of diverse characters, all the while playing a man learning to be an actor. He skillfully delineates dialects and his face tells a different story for each character he plays. Cline plays well the energetic and younger version of Kipps, and Price adds mystery and presence in the silent title role. Director Tom Eubanks braves the difficult script well and succeeds particularly well in building a strong relationship between the two male leads. Eubanks offers up a skillfully staged production that makes use of every inch of the intimate theatre. The costumes suggest well the time and the set by Eubanks is a prime example of ingenuity and inventiveness, though it is at times under used. The show occasionally lacks the jump that one desires in a ghost story, but strong characters, able performers, and a clear grasp of the theatrical value of the piece are well at work here. This show is as difficult as it is stirring and deserves to be performed more often by venues such as this.
The Woman in Black runs through Sept. 16th at the Elite Theatre in Oxnard. http://www.elitetheatre.org/
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Mickey’s Soundsational Parade
Everyone loves a parade and Mickey’s Soundsational Parade that consumes Main Street Disneyland each night is the perfect combination of childlike fun and grown up entertainment.
The parade evolves with each year and the characters change frequently, including different costume versions to fit the season, but the entertainment remains unaltered. The energy and consistency of the performers is matched only by the excitement and awe of the children in the crowd. With character favorites like Mary Poppins and Bert, the Lion King, every princess known to mankind and, of course, Mickey and friends perched atop massive floats, the spectacle would be impressive enough. However, as the name suggests, the focus of this parade is on the music. Starting at the It’s a Small World ride and culminating at the heart of Main Street, the entire parade is set to a raucous toe tapping beat that echoes across the park. These dedicated performers maintain smiles, waves, and shining attitudes that lift the spirits of each eye they meet in the crowd. Their choreography and movements are well rehearsed and energetic from beginning to end and the colors of the show parallel the finest costuming in theatre or film.
With a plethora of live musicians, dancers, pounding drums, mechanical wonders, and Disney fun, the parade is one of the finest shows in the park. The atmosphere is upbeat and the feeling of fun is contagious. Seating in the off-season is, for the most part, easy to find. The well-guided parade is easily visible 3 or 4 rows deep. During tourist season, it is more difficult, but a little preparation can make for a great end to a busy Disney day. Alert park goers can ask one of the many park employees when the parade will begin and, about 45 minutes beforehand, scout out a seat on the curb or on one of the rare benches town near Main Street. Parents of young children prove wise to pack an early dinner and a blanket and add the feel of an impromptu picnic capped off by the miracle of Disney magic as the parade passes by while you eat. Cameras and video are recommended and reliving this parade at home in high definition is often as fun as seeing it the first time, particularly if you are able to capture the awe and excitement of your youngsters as they see their favorite characters come bounding around the bend to the beats of Disney tunes as if they have just stepped into one of Walt’s greatest cinematic feats.
This parade is worth the extra wait and makes for a fun end to the day. Moreover, it is included in the ticket price and offers a rare treat in a world where spectacles like this are becoming increasingly unusual. The sights sounds and feelings of Mickey's Soundsational Parade will entertain you from start to finish and remain with you for a lifetime.
Mickey’s Soundsational Parade occurs nightly on Disneyland’s Main Street.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/mickeys-soundsational-parade/
Everyone loves a parade and Mickey’s Soundsational Parade that consumes Main Street Disneyland each night is the perfect combination of childlike fun and grown up entertainment.
The parade evolves with each year and the characters change frequently, including different costume versions to fit the season, but the entertainment remains unaltered. The energy and consistency of the performers is matched only by the excitement and awe of the children in the crowd. With character favorites like Mary Poppins and Bert, the Lion King, every princess known to mankind and, of course, Mickey and friends perched atop massive floats, the spectacle would be impressive enough. However, as the name suggests, the focus of this parade is on the music. Starting at the It’s a Small World ride and culminating at the heart of Main Street, the entire parade is set to a raucous toe tapping beat that echoes across the park. These dedicated performers maintain smiles, waves, and shining attitudes that lift the spirits of each eye they meet in the crowd. Their choreography and movements are well rehearsed and energetic from beginning to end and the colors of the show parallel the finest costuming in theatre or film.
With a plethora of live musicians, dancers, pounding drums, mechanical wonders, and Disney fun, the parade is one of the finest shows in the park. The atmosphere is upbeat and the feeling of fun is contagious. Seating in the off-season is, for the most part, easy to find. The well-guided parade is easily visible 3 or 4 rows deep. During tourist season, it is more difficult, but a little preparation can make for a great end to a busy Disney day. Alert park goers can ask one of the many park employees when the parade will begin and, about 45 minutes beforehand, scout out a seat on the curb or on one of the rare benches town near Main Street. Parents of young children prove wise to pack an early dinner and a blanket and add the feel of an impromptu picnic capped off by the miracle of Disney magic as the parade passes by while you eat. Cameras and video are recommended and reliving this parade at home in high definition is often as fun as seeing it the first time, particularly if you are able to capture the awe and excitement of your youngsters as they see their favorite characters come bounding around the bend to the beats of Disney tunes as if they have just stepped into one of Walt’s greatest cinematic feats.
This parade is worth the extra wait and makes for a fun end to the day. Moreover, it is included in the ticket price and offers a rare treat in a world where spectacles like this are becoming increasingly unusual. The sights sounds and feelings of Mickey's Soundsational Parade will entertain you from start to finish and remain with you for a lifetime.
Mickey’s Soundsational Parade occurs nightly on Disneyland’s Main Street.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/mickeys-soundsational-parade/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)