Orlando at the Classic Stage Company… in a sound: Ugh

[NuMystic]

Posted: 9/10/10 at 2:19am

Abyssmal

The very first time in my life that I bailed during intermission, and would have done so sooner if I could have.

If you love either the the book or film, then steer clear at all costs.

Lest you think I am simply in love with one or the other to the point of being hyper critical of any adaptation, my date who has never seen either gave it "5 out of 10" stars, was quite happy to leave with me, and said "you know that there's something wrong when you're paying more attention to costuming details than the play itself".

Ruhl decided to tell the entire story through third party narration. Every single line of it. That's not a play, it's an abridged book reading with costumed ensemble serving as live illustrations. (which actually sounds more novel and interesting than it was)

Talented cast, wonderful lead, unforgivable script, and cringe inducing choreography.

Making Orlando into a play? Priceless.
This director and playwright doing it? Painful.
Updated On: 9/10/10 at 02:19 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/11/10 at 12:29am

That bad, huh? It's on TDF, and I have still yet to be impressed by Ruhl, but I want to keep giving her chances. Doesn't sound like this will win me over. How was the set?

[NuMystic]

Posted: 9/12/10 at 4:08am

There was a set?

Oh, you mean the astroturf!

It was green.

There were also 3 chairs at the back of the stage. Four legged variety.

[sngr1947]

Posted: 9/15/10 at 4:43pm

I couldn’t disagree more! This production of Orlando was a sensual and sensitive rendering of a gorgeous novel. By taking the story theatre approach, Ruhl was staying true to Woolf’s voice. David Greenspan was hysterical, Francesca Faridany was completely believable as a man and as a woman (which you would have discovered if you stayed for the second act), the original music was infectious, and I found the entire experience to be moving and thought provoking.

[NuMystic]

Posted: 9/15/10 at 6:04pm

The practically slapstick rendition of multiple characters and scenes is anything but true to Woolf's voice even if the entire exercise feels as if it's being read directly from the pages of a book.

A few days later a visiting FringeNYC performer from Chicago that I spoke with bemoaned having wasted one of their few nights in NY on the show as well.

I'm glad you found more merit in it than anyone I've spoken with, but being that you joined just to defend this production, it's dubious praise at best.