Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
#0Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:03pmHas anyone read this play? I'm currently perfoming as Glass in it, and it's a very *interesting* piece. I'm not too sure how I feel about it yet, and although I understand it, I don't find it that interesting. I can't seem to find what makes it funny or worth watching. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
tagiunagi
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/05
#1re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:24pmOMG, this is one of the most challenging pieces I have yet to witness in theater, no joke. I'm interesting to see how you've staged this (if that's what you're doing). But it's no doubt one of the most rewarding pieces once you figure out what the hell these people are talking about. I LOVE Ives.
#2re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:33pm
HAHA I love Philip Glass, it was our final exam last year, that was a party. My group did like an orchestra if that makes any sense.
#3re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:37pmI have no doubt that as an actor it will be rewarding... but I'm kind of wondering if the portion of the audience that isn't familiar with the actual Philip Glass (which will probably be around 90%) will understand the parody. The challenge for me is how to make the piece interesting to those who aren't familiar with it. That, and approaching Glass as a character is very difficult. It's hard to analyze him based on about 5 lines of dialogue. I'm really up for the challenge, just MAJORLY confused.
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#4re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:44pmSounds very interesting, I love absurd theater. My high school theater teacher was obsessed with it, so i've come to love it. [goes off to find the script of "phillip glass" and read it...]
#5re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:48pm
I find it a rather insufferable piece of work. It's an interesting concept- and yes I am familiar with Philip Glass- but in the production I saw it came across as pretentious and monotonous chanting. You have to do it very, very well for it to seem like anything else. I honestly didn't find it very challenging, but I did find it extremely exasperating. It came across as if it was pretending it had something terribly profound to say, but that message never came through, just its self-importance.
Ives is generally a little too gimmicky for me, but Variations on the Death of Trotsky is brilliant.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#6re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 3:37am
"Isn't that...? Isn't that...? Isn't that...? Isn't that...?"
"Think it is. Think it is. Think it is. Think it is."
Dear god, make it stop!
tagiunagi
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/05
#7re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 10:13am
Time
Is
A moment, sir!
#8re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 10:28am
TabooPhan - I think part of the problem is you might be making too much of it. Remember that it is only a sketch parody. One bit in a catalogue of sketches and vignettes. You really don't have to analyze Glass so much at all. The scene is based on 2 things only: 1) The rhythm and repeated lines that parody the melodies of Glass, 2) the way Ives uses the repeated lines and how he fits them together. That's all there is to it. It's basically an SNL skit with intelligence. Don't worry about whether or not the audience is familiar with Philip Glass. That is the concern of 1) Ives for writing the thing and 2) the director/producer for deciding to stage it. Not every audience will get every Mamet spoof in Speed the Play, either, but it's still fun to watch. Just step back and enjoy the piece for what it is...a fun spoof and a brilliant piece of wordplay.
Liz Bennet - "It came across as if it was pretending it had something terribly profound to say,..."
THAT is the problem right there. It should play as if the rhythms are intentional and the way the words fit together are simply an accidental by-product of the rhythm and timing. It should never be forced or played for profundity. It should remind you of the PDQ Bach Christmas carols or madrigals (if you've ever heard them, you know exactly what I mean).
rockfenris2005
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#9re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 10:29am
Isn't Philip Glass the composer of Einstein on the Beach?
My collaborator worked with him once
#10re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 10:36amYes and Akhnaten, The Making of the Representative From Planet 8, and famous film scores such as Koyaanisqatsi, Kundun and The Hours.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#11re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 10:36am
"I have no doubt that as an actor it will be rewarding... but I'm kind of wondering if the portion of the audience that isn't familiar with the actual Philip Glass (which will probably be around 90%) will understand the parody."
Part of the piece is its absurdity. When well done, the absurdity is enjoyable even when the entire reference is lost.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#12re: Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
Posted: 9/29/05 at 10:47amThis is hilarious! Kind of odd if you don't know Phillip Glass, tho.
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