Hello World. I know it's been a while but I wanted to let you in on today's excitement. This afternoon I'm going to be heading into Toronto to see 2 very different and equally exciting show with my mother.
Every since I was a little kid, as in like grade 2 ish, my mother and I have been enjoying days out at the theater together. She introduced me to this world with a Stratford production of As you like it by William Shakespeare. Ever since we've been enjoying are escape days to go have a meal and see a show together. They are just a chance to relax and talk and laugh. These days are something I miss about living in Ottawa so far away from home.
The first show of the day we are seeing will be The Bodyguard. All I really know about this show is that it's a musical based off of movie. The second I know even less about, only that it's a play called the Audience So my expectations are only the ones that I have of Mirvish. That the show will be clean and polished, that the actors will be committed entirely to their roles and that the viewers will be silent, respectful and just as "professional" as the show. Shows in big theaters like the Royal Alex. and the Ed Mirvish theater expect their audiences to be dressed in fancy clothing and be just as committed to the show as the actors. They create an environment where the people seeing the show now have expectations of each other and that becomes just as much a part of the experience as the show they are watching.
Anyway Have a Wonderful day and I'll be back soon,
Elyse
Saturday, 18 February 2017
Monday, 6 February 2017
Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Before
Hello Everyone, Hope you have been having a good week. Sorry about the late update both of these were supposed to be posted on Saturday but I hope you'll forgive the tardiness I had a midterm yesterday.
Before going to see this show I had a lot of information. We had thoroughly discussed it in class and I had spoken to playwright.
Getting to listen to Robert Chafe, was awesome. From the moment he said hello he had me hooked. I was so excited to see his work of art it hardly phased me to hear that it was three hours long. Robert was a curious playwright who has had better luck writing with adaptations than with original work. He told us the story of his beginning as a playwright in Newfoundland, where he was a disgruntled actor who believed that he could write a better show with a better part. To his days converting the story of a midwife to a national production, and now his work against Newfy (sorry it's spelled wrong) stereotypes. Robert was a joy to listen to and it made me so excited to see his work come to life.
I have always loved history and whenever it is brought to the stage I find that it can give the trired old tales new life and breath, I hope that this one will be that and more.
Thanks again
part 2 will be up soon
Elyse
Before going to see this show I had a lot of information. We had thoroughly discussed it in class and I had spoken to playwright.
Getting to listen to Robert Chafe, was awesome. From the moment he said hello he had me hooked. I was so excited to see his work of art it hardly phased me to hear that it was three hours long. Robert was a curious playwright who has had better luck writing with adaptations than with original work. He told us the story of his beginning as a playwright in Newfoundland, where he was a disgruntled actor who believed that he could write a better show with a better part. To his days converting the story of a midwife to a national production, and now his work against Newfy (sorry it's spelled wrong) stereotypes. Robert was a joy to listen to and it made me so excited to see his work come to life.
I have always loved history and whenever it is brought to the stage I find that it can give the trired old tales new life and breath, I hope that this one will be that and more.
Thanks again
part 2 will be up soon
Elyse
Monday, 30 January 2017
Carmen, Conclusion
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
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
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
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