#1
Posted: 8/13/06 at 9:20pm
Sorry just posted the title so that you would read this, but I had an interesting afternoon of theatre...
At the beginning of the show, Artistic Dirctor Roger Rees got on stage, along with the director of the show, Rob Roth got on stage and introduced kerry Butler and show writer Douglas Cohen. They announced, in a very nice way, that Ms. Butler was without a voice and that Mr. Cohen would be singing Ms. Butler's part, as well as speaking her lines, while she went through the staging and mouthed all of her parts.
As I sat, merely a few feet from the stage, I thought this sounded like an AWFUL idea.
However, it was a great, interesting and unique afternoon that totally was a tribute to the wonder of live theatre. Butler did a fantastic job of basically mime-ing, yet still compeltely believably acting (hard to describe!) the part and her fellow actors followed suit - they all went along with the extenuating circumstances and more than rose to the challenge. Cohen did a GREAT job voicing the part - bravo to him and to Ms. Butler for being in sync!
All in all, a very unique and enjoyable afternoon - a great testament to the fabulousness of summer theatre - especially at placed like Williamstown and New York Stage& Film etc - both great places where new works are explored in a comfortable environment. The audience was accepting, responsive and compeltely supportive.
Bravo to everyone!
Kerry
At the beginning of the show, Artistic Dirctor Roger Rees got on stage, along with the director of the show, Rob Roth got on stage and introduced kerry Butler and show writer Douglas Cohen. They announced, in a very nice way, that Ms. Butler was without a voice and that Mr. Cohen would be singing Ms. Butler's part, as well as speaking her lines, while she went through the staging and mouthed all of her parts.
As I sat, merely a few feet from the stage, I thought this sounded like an AWFUL idea.
However, it was a great, interesting and unique afternoon that totally was a tribute to the wonder of live theatre. Butler did a fantastic job of basically mime-ing, yet still compeltely believably acting (hard to describe!) the part and her fellow actors followed suit - they all went along with the extenuating circumstances and more than rose to the challenge. Cohen did a GREAT job voicing the part - bravo to him and to Ms. Butler for being in sync!
All in all, a very unique and enjoyable afternoon - a great testament to the fabulousness of summer theatre - especially at placed like Williamstown and New York Stage& Film etc - both great places where new works are explored in a comfortable environment. The audience was accepting, responsive and compeltely supportive.
Bravo to everyone!
Kerry
