Hello Divas,
Carmen was a lovely piece. It was not what I was expecting at all but in hieze sight I probably should have understood that it was an opera production and not just an orchestra performance from who was putting on the show. The vocals were the strongest part of opera performance and all the actors seemed more at ease when they were singing. their stage business was not as well done.
The costumes were simple yet effective. The use of red was smart as it highlighted not only the emotion but the lead. Carmen (the leading lady) was extremely well casted she was always on. Not in the physical sense of the word as there were scenes without her but when she was on stage she was focused and at ease. She was a focal beacon for the entire show.
As an experience for me this one was odd. The language flipped between English spoken and french song, (which was often overshadowed by the awesome orchestra). This made the show a little awkward. I wasn't sure of the setting until I read the program so I was a little maladjusted for the first act. I kept trying to compare the show to that of a musical however the genres have far more different than I realized.
New experiences are always exciting and I'm so happy to continue to try new things and see new shows.
Keep it up Divas!
Until next time
Elyse
Monday, 30 January 2017
Friday, 27 January 2017
Before the curtain : Carmen
Hello Theater nerds and classmates alike. I hope you've had a wonderful week.
Tonight, Tonight I will be going to Bizet: Carmen presented by the University of Ottawa Opera Company with Chamber Orchestra. I don't know much about the show but I am excited none the less. My guess is that they will be preforming in the traditional we stand/sit here and play while you listen type of environment without elaborate sets or costumes but I could be completely wrong.
The last time I went to a strictly orchestral performance was longer ago then I would like to admit as I makes me feel old. It was while I was staying in France as my exchange partner played cello and her mother was first violin. It was lovely and I should go to classical productions more often. The way the instruments can tell a story without a word and the harmonies created by everyone playing in unison . Each instrument sound utterly different separately but together they speak as one. It gives me hope for the human race.
(wow can you tell I'm feeling metaphorical today.)
Anyway.... Have a wonderful night and I'll tell you how it goes later.
Elyse
Tonight, Tonight I will be going to Bizet: Carmen presented by the University of Ottawa Opera Company with Chamber Orchestra. I don't know much about the show but I am excited none the less. My guess is that they will be preforming in the traditional we stand/sit here and play while you listen type of environment without elaborate sets or costumes but I could be completely wrong.
The last time I went to a strictly orchestral performance was longer ago then I would like to admit as I makes me feel old. It was while I was staying in France as my exchange partner played cello and her mother was first violin. It was lovely and I should go to classical productions more often. The way the instruments can tell a story without a word and the harmonies created by everyone playing in unison . Each instrument sound utterly different separately but together they speak as one. It gives me hope for the human race.
(wow can you tell I'm feeling metaphorical today.)
Anyway.... Have a wonderful night and I'll tell you how it goes later.
Elyse
Sunday, 22 January 2017
Curtain call : American Idiot
Hello again i can't think of another clever title for my theater classmates!
So this was quite a show. High energy, complicated choreography and those voices, incredible. This show was good, I enjoyed the whole thing and was completely and utterly confused the whole way through. When we walked in the ensemble was scattered on the stage and in the audience as if they were just hanging around waiting for everything to start. My friend and I were even approached by a member in the cast who asked us if we knew when the meeting was going to start and who invited us. It was a little surreal with posters and newspaper scattered around the floor. It felt like we were gathering for a protest not a play. In the opening number the choreography worried me as it was slightly out of sync, but they showed me later on that I had nothing to worry about, they could hit a perfectly synced number if that was the goal.
The whole way though the plot was foggy that left myself and the rest of the audience with a choice, cling to the hope of understanding the plot or to forget about the what and focus on the who. (not the band the characters, though the band for this show was awesome) Once you did that you could see this guy who's just as messed up as you (and handling it poorly) go through the trials he created for himself. This show was enjoyable but made you feel both lucky and upset to be there. Lucky that you're not these characters and upset that someone may be.
I never realized how much Green day I knew until I was sitting there mouthing all the words to these songs.
On that note see you all eventually,
Elyse
PS- comment your favorite green day song !
So this was quite a show. High energy, complicated choreography and those voices, incredible. This show was good, I enjoyed the whole thing and was completely and utterly confused the whole way through. When we walked in the ensemble was scattered on the stage and in the audience as if they were just hanging around waiting for everything to start. My friend and I were even approached by a member in the cast who asked us if we knew when the meeting was going to start and who invited us. It was a little surreal with posters and newspaper scattered around the floor. It felt like we were gathering for a protest not a play. In the opening number the choreography worried me as it was slightly out of sync, but they showed me later on that I had nothing to worry about, they could hit a perfectly synced number if that was the goal.
The whole way though the plot was foggy that left myself and the rest of the audience with a choice, cling to the hope of understanding the plot or to forget about the what and focus on the who. (not the band the characters, though the band for this show was awesome) Once you did that you could see this guy who's just as messed up as you (and handling it poorly) go through the trials he created for himself. This show was enjoyable but made you feel both lucky and upset to be there. Lucky that you're not these characters and upset that someone may be.
I never realized how much Green day I knew until I was sitting there mouthing all the words to these songs.
On that note see you all eventually,
Elyse
PS- comment your favorite green day song !
One hour til curtain: American Idiot
Welcome back Theater Geeks of all shapes and sizes.
This afternoon I'm planning on attending The University of Ottawa's production of American Idiot. I'm very excited to see it as it promises to include some of Green day's biggest hits to tell the story of struggling with mental illness and government controlled media. I'm curious to see how they deal with these sensitive topics and how they progress through some of the darker topics. A musical always has so many moving and corresponding elements that have to work perfectly together to form the cohesive piece. With so much that can go wrong the stakes are high and it's always exciting to see things play out.
Having a very close location will be a nice advantage and I'm going with a close friend of mine who also loves theater so I know it will be a good time.
break a leg actors
Elyse
This afternoon I'm planning on attending The University of Ottawa's production of American Idiot. I'm very excited to see it as it promises to include some of Green day's biggest hits to tell the story of struggling with mental illness and government controlled media. I'm curious to see how they deal with these sensitive topics and how they progress through some of the darker topics. A musical always has so many moving and corresponding elements that have to work perfectly together to form the cohesive piece. With so much that can go wrong the stakes are high and it's always exciting to see things play out.
Having a very close location will be a nice advantage and I'm going with a close friend of mine who also loves theater so I know it will be a good time.
break a leg actors
Elyse
Friday, 20 January 2017
RE: Countries Shaped like Stars
WOW.....
Hello Thespians I'm back. I'm not sure what I was expecting but that was not it. The show was a wonderful, hilarious and felt like story time with the family. The tow performers brought a book to life to a beautiful soundtrack of lighthearted catchy melodies. The dialogue was quick, witty and incorporated the audiences reactions seamlessly. The stage was surrounded by the audience on the two log sides leaving a runway for action down the center. The lighting was controlled by the performers and switched from lamps to Christmas lights along the ceiling and ladder.
Enough about the traditional theater-y things. The performers created an open and welcoming environment for the audience that felt like an evening with good friends. The high energy and interactive show made sure no one was left behind from the kids to seniors in the audience everyone was laughing together. I went to this show hesitant and alone but was I was not lonely for a second.
But I'm rambling. The show was great check it out if you get the chance.
Countries Shaped like Stars at the Ottawa fringe festival.
Until next time,
Elyse
Hello Thespians I'm back. I'm not sure what I was expecting but that was not it. The show was a wonderful, hilarious and felt like story time with the family. The tow performers brought a book to life to a beautiful soundtrack of lighthearted catchy melodies. The dialogue was quick, witty and incorporated the audiences reactions seamlessly. The stage was surrounded by the audience on the two log sides leaving a runway for action down the center. The lighting was controlled by the performers and switched from lamps to Christmas lights along the ceiling and ladder.
Enough about the traditional theater-y things. The performers created an open and welcoming environment for the audience that felt like an evening with good friends. The high energy and interactive show made sure no one was left behind from the kids to seniors in the audience everyone was laughing together. I went to this show hesitant and alone but was I was not lonely for a second.
But I'm rambling. The show was great check it out if you get the chance.
Countries Shaped like Stars at the Ottawa fringe festival.
Until next time,
Elyse
Pre Show - Countries Shaped like Stars
Hello World!
Tonight I'm going to see the play Countries Shaped like Stars at the Ottawa Fringe Encore Festival. My first, completely and utterly uninformed, impression of this show is to class it in the same realm of Maureen's performance in Rent. Its look makes me nervous and I'm still not quite sure what I'm getting myself into. All that being said, I'm always excited to see new theater that pushes boundaries. It promises to be interesting and thought provoking and I'm curious to see how it all plays out.
Another curiosity I have is for the audience. If it is as zany as the photo suggests the crowd could either be very cold and unreceptive. However, if they embrace it with open arms this could be one of the most welcoming environments in the world with all those who are there, just enjoy the moment.
Looks can be deceiving, is one of the mantras in theater and every performance brings something new.
Get back to you soon
Elyse
Monday, 9 January 2017
The Start
You are here
at the start of a moment
at the edge of the world
where the river meets the sea
---------- Welcome to the Rock, Come From Away
Over the next few months I will be writing about my experiences at different theatrical events. From traditional ones like the amazing new musical quoted above to hockey games to immersive experiences the world is full of theater. The first traditional theater event I attended was Shakespeare's As You Like It at The Stratford Festival Theater, depicted as the background of this blog. I was so young that I did not truly appreciate the words of the play but what I did understand was the experience and the eventfulness. The emotions of the crowd and actors, the stage and lighting, the sheer joy of my mother at seeing my enjoyment of her favorite art form. There was so much to take in.
This class will hopefully introduce me to other truly remarkable and unique moments with new individuals and I can't wait to get started.
Elyse
at the start of a moment
at the edge of the world
where the river meets the sea
---------- Welcome to the Rock, Come From Away
Over the next few months I will be writing about my experiences at different theatrical events. From traditional ones like the amazing new musical quoted above to hockey games to immersive experiences the world is full of theater. The first traditional theater event I attended was Shakespeare's As You Like It at The Stratford Festival Theater, depicted as the background of this blog. I was so young that I did not truly appreciate the words of the play but what I did understand was the experience and the eventfulness. The emotions of the crowd and actors, the stage and lighting, the sheer joy of my mother at seeing my enjoyment of her favorite art form. There was so much to take in.
This class will hopefully introduce me to other truly remarkable and unique moments with new individuals and I can't wait to get started.
Elyse
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)