#26
Posted: 7/14/07 at 1:45pm
There are MANY reasons to visit WTF this summer but I'm not sure that a reading of Our Town with Raul as the SM is one of them. :)
Raul Esparza to Play One-Night only performance of Our Town at Williamstown — Page 2
#27
Posted: 7/14/07 at 4:08pm
Company was an ensemble piece too though, even though he was the "lead."
The Stage Manager has to be the one who introduces us to these characters and their little town, and also has to be quietly present throughout the whole piece. I think Esparza pulled that off in Company, and I hope that he does it here as well. Wilder himself played the SM, along with Hal Holbrook, Paul Newman, Henry Fonda, Spalding Grey, etc. I don't think it hurts to have a highly recognizable and "star" performer acting the role, so long as it's done with the understanding of the SM's role. He needs to make the audience aware of how the mundane events of everyday life can be raised in significance.
Also remember it's just a reading, not a fully staged production. What that will do to the dynamic of the ensemble, I'm not sure
The Stage Manager has to be the one who introduces us to these characters and their little town, and also has to be quietly present throughout the whole piece. I think Esparza pulled that off in Company, and I hope that he does it here as well. Wilder himself played the SM, along with Hal Holbrook, Paul Newman, Henry Fonda, Spalding Grey, etc. I don't think it hurts to have a highly recognizable and "star" performer acting the role, so long as it's done with the understanding of the SM's role. He needs to make the audience aware of how the mundane events of everyday life can be raised in significance.
Also remember it's just a reading, not a fully staged production. What that will do to the dynamic of the ensemble, I'm not sure
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#28
Posted: 7/15/07 at 12:19am
Good enough reason for me. 
Every year, I say I'm going to go -- this finally gave me the motivation to actually plan a trip. I think I want to try to see something else while I'm up there, definitely. I wanted to see Party Come Here, but it will have ended by then.
I hope it's at least semi-staged. I bought a copy of the play today, so I can re-familiarize myself with it before the 17th.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
Every year, I say I'm going to go -- this finally gave me the motivation to actually plan a trip. I think I want to try to see something else while I'm up there, definitely. I wanted to see Party Come Here, but it will have ended by then. I hope it's at least semi-staged. I bought a copy of the play today, so I can re-familiarize myself with it before the 17th.
Updated On: 7/15/07 at 12:19 AM
#29
Posted: 7/15/07 at 1:04am
OUR TOWN is one of the most beautiful Plays ever written,
Would rather see Raul as Simon Stimson
but if he get's you to see the play
it's worth it.
Enjoy.
Would rather see Raul as Simon Stimson
but if he get's you to see the play
it's worth it.
Enjoy.
#30
Posted: 7/15/07 at 3:56am
I'm going. I've actually never read Our Town, but I know it's one of those pivotal characters for Raul so I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll be there a few days checking out some other works too. I will definately be seeing Crimes of the Heart and I'd love to see The Corn is Green too.
"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL
#31
Posted: 7/15/07 at 4:02am
Oh my goodness! My friend is working at the Williamstown Theatre Festival...I'm forwarding the news to her right now.
#32
Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:00am
Simon Stimson? He could pull it off, but I prefer the SM
Finally an announcement with a nicer picture of Raul
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/109551.html
Finally an announcement with a nicer picture of Raul
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/109551.html
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#33
Posted: 7/15/07 at 3:03pm
I wish I could go. OUR TOWN is my favorite play (hence my screen name) and I love Raúl. Sucks to be me, I guess.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
#34
Posted: 7/15/07 at 6:18pm
Oh, I never even thought about that in relation to your screen name. I'm happy there are so many fans of the play on here 
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#35
Posted: 7/15/07 at 9:52pm
I love this play!!! I played Emily once...I wish I could go and see it...if I wasn't in a wedding that weekend I would so go....stupid wedding
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life. Define yourself"
#36
Posted: 7/15/07 at 10:56pm
This play confused me for the longest time because I kept hearing the term "Stage Manager" being thrown around and so I just thought it was some "back-stage comedy" or something, but yeah, it's def. not.
#37
Posted: 7/16/07 at 10:05am
Oh well, we'll be on vacation in Vegas then......
#38
Posted: 7/16/07 at 11:32am
To those making the trip - there is also an excellent Shakespeare company in Lenox called Shakespeare & Co. Saw an interesting HAMLET last summer - tickets a little pricier than $5 though.
#39
Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:28pm
For dining: I have several suggestions in the area. But most importantly, for the best ice cream you'll ever have - go to Lickety Split on Spring Street and have the "Purple Cow" ice cream. It's black raspberry with chunks of white and dark chocolate. TO DIE FOR!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#40
*writes down*
Raul, Our Town, and the best ice cream in the world? Oh, how the Gods smile upon Katy....
Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:31pm
*writes down*
Raul, Our Town, and the best ice cream in the world? Oh, how the Gods smile upon Katy....
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#41
Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:34pm
Wow. I can't eat ice cream, but that sounds amazing.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#42
Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:55pm
I will definitely be there since I am so close. This is so exciting!
http://www.glamsmash.com/ - Glamsmash Productions, a video production company in the heart of New York City
#43
Posted: 7/16/07 at 2:59pm
Also remember it's just a reading, not a fully staged production. What that will do to the dynamic of the ensemble, I'm not sure
Yeah, I'm sure the sets will be like, nothing.
Yeah, I'm sure the sets will be like, nothing.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
#44
Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:07pm
Really wish I could go. Too bad.
#45
Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:39pm
I'm sure the sets will be like, nothing
I know, Emcee was like "there's probably going to be a hand drawn sign that like 'OUR TOWN ----> THIS WAY'"
hehe. Well, if there is, I'm stealing it anyway !
I know, Emcee was like "there's probably going to be a hand drawn sign that like 'OUR TOWN ----> THIS WAY'"
hehe. Well, if there is, I'm stealing it anyway !
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#46
Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:42pm
Well, as opposed to an official poster for a one-night reading. 
But I was kidding. And exaggerating.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
But I was kidding. And exaggerating.
#47
Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:43pm
I know, but it was still funny
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#48
Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:45pm
misschung, have you ever seen a production of Our Town? That was a joke...
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
#49
Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:46pm
Yeah, I have. Sorry to have missed your joke, it's been a rough week
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
Updated On: 7/16/07 at 03:46 PM
#50
Posted: 7/16/07 at 4:20pm
Where is this anyway?
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $95