Macbeth

I saw Macbeth on Broadway today, with Patrick Stewart. I saw it with my former acting class, the Shakespeare on Thursday nights I forsaken for Shakespeare on Friday days. It's the same teacher though.
It was good, though, I have to admit, I didn't understand half of it.
The acting was good, though it was my first Shakespeare on the stage, so I'm not sure if overacting is what is expected. The production was good as well, as far as the whole dynamic and the stage decoration goes. That was very creative and original.
But, again, I didn't understand half of the story. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that I'm not a native English speaker or with the fact that I haven't read it in English. I could swear I read it in Serbian, but I couldn't remember the story,
Oh, well, it was a useful experience. I guess...
We had balcony seats, which was like watching Shakespeare from a cliff. Literally. I mean, I didn't even think that that kind of steepness was safe. If you ever go to Lyceum theatre on Times Square, check the balcony. But don't if you're afraid of heights.
The audience was raving about it by clapping and ovations. I guess they read the book. Or know old English. It must be one or the other.
So, if you know the story, and can live with no leg room for two hours and 45 minutes, go ahead, see it. Acting is really good. And it was placed in some other time, not Shakespeare's. I'm guessing Russia?

August Osage County, in a white limo

I have seen my first Broadway play on Friday night, thanks to my in-laws. They took M. and I to see this new play everyone's raving about, including my acting teacher and The politically challenged N.Y.Times.
Broadway is very flashy at night. I'm sure you've seen it on TV if not in person. Also, on Friday there were a lot of people around. The theater hosting the August Osage County was, of course, packed.
First, it was hot inside, then it was cold(air-conditioning), then hot again. There was definitely not enough room for one's legs to be comfortable during a three and a change hour play. But the play itself was very good.
The first scene was kind of slow, and it was hard to hear the older, lead actor, the Father. He was speaking quietly, maybe because his role required that of him, or maybe he's just a soft speaker. It made it so much harder to understand him since the whole play was done in the Southern accent.
But the second scene picked the play up. It was interesting, dynamic and funny. The third one as well.
Acting was great, but I did catch them acting. I know it's very hard not to "act," even in my limited experience. But it's also something that an audience, who didn't take acting classes, wouldn't notice.
My father-in-law pointed something out after it was finished. The playwright included every possible dysfunctionality that exist. It was a bit too much for him, over the top, you know. And he is right, though I haven't noticed that myself watching it. I guess I was too focused on acting, and where could I move my legs next.
It's a great play, really. And I'm grateful for the experience. But I do wish it was a bit shorter, with less profanities, and that the theater was more comfortable. Other than that, it was perfect!
Oh, yes, and we came back home in a white limo, courtesy of my generous in-laws. I guess Broadway is not so bad:)

Sister Cities

I saw a great play tonight-- Sister Cities. It's a small production of a screenplay written by a woman, directed by a woman, and it's about five women. A real shot of feminism. But it was interesting, funny and moving. Good acting too.
It could not have been more than 30 people in the audience. It was definitely the smallest theater I've seen. The set was really impressive-it looked like you walked into someone's house. The warmth of it, very genuine-- pictures on the walls and the fireplace, the furniture, the mess, the den with books and paper, computer, stairs that lead to upstairs we never see, the kitchen bar with every day home stuff on it, vodka in the liqueur cabinet, chips and Fig Newtons...
All four sisters were good at their characters-all completely different as sisters often are. But these four actually have different fathers. And a very selfish mother, who apparently used men as tissues. I said used because now she's in her 60s and gravely ill.
This totally disfunctional family has a lot to tell. And it does. This play is all talk, but in a good way. There's barely anything there, any type of action except for the conversations, very serious ones.
Men barely touch this moment in life-only one character has her husband placed on a pedestal, while some of the others don't have anyone, or think of men as Ken dolls-something to play with and leave behind when they grow out of it. One of them has a failed marriage behind her, but a successful career. They all are selfsufficient.
There was a talk with the actors afterwords. A nice bonus. They're hoping people will hear about the play, and maybe, maybe give it more attention. I think, it deserves it. It's contemporary, interesting, with all the necessary elements for success-makes you laugh, makes you think, makes you enjoy it. Having said that, it's not perfect. The acting in the beginning really looked like acting, and it shouldn't. Couple of times through the play as well. But in their defense, it seemed really hard to do it, with the rollercostar of emotions throughout.
If you can, see it. You won't regret it!