interpreting tennessee williams

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:22am

anyone else think that in light of recent events some of these people should not be involved in this event?

tennessee: Updated On: 4/5/05 at 04:22 AM

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 8:04am

see the MIRIAM'S REFLECTIONS ON THE GLASS MENAGERIE thread. i'd like to say i'd find any intelligent actor's take on Williams to be interesting, whether critics agreed with it or not.

[OtherDaryl]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:18am

Lange has played Maggie, Blanche and Amanda - she certainly has a valid point of view concerning the difficulties of playing Williams from an actor's perspective.

Slater was scheduled to do Sweet Bird in London in addition to this production, though I don't know if that is still on.

Natasha Richardson is playing what may be Williames highest profile female character and witnessed her mother playing Lady in Orpheus Descending some years back.

Richard Thomas has covered roles in Williams plays that most people have never heard of, so there is a very interesting point of view.

I would love to see Elizabeth Ashley and/or Rip Torn added to this panel.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:22am

From seeing Jessica Lange and Christian Slater in the disastrous Menagerie, I think both should abstain from sharing their "abundant knowledge" of acting Tennessee Williams. Everyone knows that Williams writes in a beautiful poetic realism. Dialogue sounds like beautiful poetry, images abound, etc. But what Slater and Lange consistently fail to realize is that poetry alone cannot cary a performance. Actually, Slater does not even realize that, I would think, as he butchers some of the plays most striking dialogue by screaming it at the top of his lungs and rubbing his greasy hair for the umpteenth time. Meanwhile, Ms Lange shares the stage giving a completely technical performance, each line clearly practiced and nuanced with inflections here, and fluttery hands here. But where both come up short is finding what ISN'T said between this family. Menagerie, along with many other Williams plays, is rich with subtext, covered by romantic southern poetic realism. But if the subtext, the deeper objectives and actions, are failed to be discovered, the play is a surface of odd dialogue that comes accross many times as funny--thus the hoards of unintentional laughter Lange and Slater receive nightly. I honestly hope these two keep quiet in this seminar. Thought I doubt they will.

Ok Jessica Lange, defenders...have at it.

[KindnessofStrangers]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:40am

Well, Theatreboy33, as you've demonstrated in previous posts, you have a very limited, narrow viewpoint about the theatre and interpretations that differ from your own misconceptions. After incorrectly calling TGM a "tragedy" and failing to see the humour inherent in the play and then playing the offensive "I'm a theatre major so I know what I'm talking about" you really don't merit my response, but in an effort to clarify for others who don't yet know you're an idiot, I feel it's my responsibility to inform them.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:45pm

I'm failing to see why certain people should abstain from participating. Three of the panelists are currently starring in plays by Mr. Williams and the fourth has done Williams' work umpteen times.