Archive for March, 2010

“Welcome to the pandemonium that is costume parade.”  These are the words that met me as I entered Lyric Arts last week.  And chaos ensued, but in an oddly controlled way.

And again I was treated to an enlightenment of just how much goes into one production at Lyric Arts.  I’ve seen a great many performances, but it seems that I just took the whole production for granted.  Take costuming for example.  There are things that would stand out as glaring errors if they were done incorrectly, but when they’re done right, it just all seamlessly (pun intended) blend into a successful production.

Let’s get back to costume parade here.  My guess is you’re wondering what the heck it is.  Well, I was too.  This is the point in the production where most of the costumes are completed, and the costumer and director get together to make sure it all works.  Are the costumes aligned with the director’s vision?  Do the costumes fit the period?  Do they work together?  Work with the set?  All these questions need to be answered at costume parade.  And costuming even helps separate the good from the evil.  Color is super important here too, both in illustrating character transformations, and in harmonizing the characters.  Part of costume parade is ensuring the characters don’t clash with each other or the set.

Luckily, you don’t have to take my word for it.  Check out these sneak peak, behind the seams pics of the upcoming costumes.

Seeing all of these lovely costumes had me questioning just where they come from.  See each production has a costumer who’s responsible for pulling all the outfits together.  But that still doesn’t answer our questions.  Luckily Becky, the friendly costumer for this production was ready to share some secrets.  So like any good community theater, Lyric Arts takes donations for costumes, but a lot of them still need to be made and purchased.  And if making costumes wasn’t enough, Becky’s responsible for making alterations.  And ladies, we all know how important those accessories are.  Well, they’re just as important on stage.  Well, duh, right?  But seriously, these things don’t occur to me as I sink into a theater seat brimming with anticipation.  Can you imagine, though, if all the actors came out barefoot?!  And what’s more, Becky shared that these are the most costumes that she’s had to prepare for any one show.  I like to think that’s a sign of how awesome it’s going to be.

So, bet you didn’t think all these nitty gritty issues went into one production.  Look what we’re learning here kids.

And don’t forget you can haul out your own period costumes.  Shakespeare’s birthday is April 23rd.  If you come in costume to that performance, you’ll be treated to a little birthday cake, live music from the Black Velvet Band, and get to meet actors from the Renaissance Festival.  What’s more, if you’re in costume, you’ll even get a free ticket to this year’s Ren Fest!  Yup, it’s Shakespeare’s birthday, but you’re the one getting the gift, in addition to seeing a fabulous play.

So, if this is your first time checking out my Shakespearience, mosey on over to Jessica’s Shakespearience to learn a little more about what we’re trying to do here.

I think this may be something that everyone’s aware of, but just doesn’t understand (or perhaps it was only me that was blissfully unaware) – there’s a heck of a lot to creating a production at Lyric Arts.

As a part of my Shakespearience, I was able to attend a production meeting for the play last week.  What’s a production meeting, you ask?  It’s actually more interesting than it sounds.  Everyone from lights to choreography to scenery design has been toiling away to get this performance ready for you.  A production meeting is essentially where everyone gets together to make sure they’re on the same page.  I know you think this may sound boring, but surprisingly it wasn’t.

So, I enter the meeting and in addition to scripts, most everyone’s hauling around this Maxfield Parrish book.  “Huh, wonder who he is, and what does he have to do with Shakespeare?” I mused.  Turns out, he was an American painter in the early 1900’s whose work included bringing to life some of my most beloved childhood stories.  We’re talking beautiful paintings of Ali Baba and even Jack Sprat.  Later, Parrish created landscapes that evoke a sense of magic in the viewer.  Now, you’re probably wondering why I’m gushing over some painter, and still asking what it has to do with Shakespeare.  Ok, ok, I’m getting to it, but first check out this painting from Parrish.

Princess Paraizade Bringing Home the Singing Tree, Maxfield Parrish, 1906, oil on paper.

Ok, back to Shakespeare.  So, scenery ideas don’t just appear from nowhere, right.  Director Stephen O’Toole has decided to use the Maxfield Parrish imagery as an inspiration for the set and even costuming of As You Like It.  At the production meeting, books were hauled out as decisions were made on everything from sashes to tree stumps.  And if you’re wondering just which Parrish paintings were used, you’ll have to join me for the performance.  And don’t forget about the Playbook that Lyric Arts is introducing.  If my ramblings on about what I’ve learned about Shakespeare just aren’t clearing things up for you, Stephen O’Toole will be hosting a Playbook, where the audience can join him prior to selected performances to gain a greater understanding of what to look for.  For more details, check out the link over on your right, and come back on Wednesday for another exciting entry – Behind the Seams.

Have questions about what we’re doing here?  Find out the whole story at Jessica’s Shakespearience, and don’t forget to keep those questions coming!

As promised, I’ve got the answers to your most pressing questions.  Just think of me as a “Dear Abby” for Shakespeare

Clueless about Shakespeare

Long time reader, first commenter. I love your first two blogs.

Here are my questions for you.

Why is Shakespeare sometime referred to as “The Bard?”

Sincerely,
Clueless about Shakespeare

Dear Clueless,

Yeah, I get it, say the phrase “The Bard,” and everyone knows who you’re referring to.  But why, right?

I’m sure we all know that bard means poet, and Shakespeare is often considered England’s (if not all of history’s) greatest poet.  Hence the Bard.  He was also a prolific poet, which may have contributed to the nickname as well.  In all, Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays, two narrative poems, sonnets, and short poems (World Book Online).  All that in his short lifetime!  That, coupled with the fact that Shakespeare is still popular today, well, I guess he’s earned that nickname.

And thanks for the compliment

What’s the deal with Branagh and Shakespeare?

Hey Jessica,

This blog is so awesome. I am like you and do not know much about Shakespeare. All of his works seem so high brow-hopefully you can make things not so out of touch for me. I am hoping to come to see “As You Like It.”

Is there a page I can go to to know more about you? A little back story?

Here is my question: What’s the deal with Kennith Branagh and Shakespeare? Why is he always doing movies about Shakespeare’s plays? I loved him in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Mae

Dear Mae,

First off, you’ve got me blushing over here, but thanks!

What’s the story with Kenneth Branagh and Shakespeare you ask?  I knew that Branagh had made a few Shakespeare remakes, but after wandering on over to IMDb, I was floored to see just how many he had made.  Branagh made five remakes – As You Like It, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Henry V, not to mention numerous stage productions. That’s quite a few, considering he’s made 13 movies to date.  Prior to his film career, Branagh also created the Renaissance Theater Company, and its first season featured three of Shakespeare’s works.

So on to that question of yours…In a prologue for Masterpiece Theater’s Henry V, Branagh said that the theater can have a sense of elitism about it.  His aim in remaking Shakespeare is to bring those classics to the masses in a more palatable form.  Hmmm, perhaps Mr. Branagh needs an introduction to Lyric Arts – pretentious, elite?!  I think not.  My Shakespearience thus far, has been the most accessible version of Shakespeare I’ve ever had.

And if you want to learn more about me and what this here blog is all about, just mosey on over to Jessica’s Shakespearience.

Come back Monday when I’ll have a brand spanking new entry delving in behind the scenes (literally).

So, get this, As You Like It is a comedy, and Shakespeare is *good* at comedies.  Don’t believe me?  Maybe you think that something that was written in the late 16th century can’t possibly be funny to present day audiences.  Well, let’s think about all the adaptations that have been done in recent years.

Kenneth Brannagh remade As You Like It in 2006 and set the whole thing in feudal Japan.  And it was nominated for a Golden Globe.  That’s not the only remake of As You Like It.  Remember Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed?  Yup, you guessed it, the movie was based on Shakespeare’s play.  As You Like It is so popular there’s even a manga version!  And then we’ve got Romeo + Juliet, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.  And don’t forget O, based on Othello, and 10 Things I Hate About You based on The Taming of the Shrew.  And coming back around to plays, Lyric Arts will be doing All Shook Up this summer, a musical adaptation of Twelfth Night.

So here I am, thinking Shakespeare and I will never get along, that I’ll always find him a snoozer.  But wait, I actually liked all of these movies.  Hrm, maybe I missed something here.  I know, I know, you’re thinking, “It’s the language! How’re we supposed to ever understand it?”  Just think back to Romeo + Juliet.  Sure we’re all familiar with the story, and I’m betting most of us had to read it in high school.  But think back to the movie.  It kept all the original dialogue, and you got it, you understood everything that was going on.  And I’m willing bet, even laughed in parts.  Remember the last entry where I said Shakespeare really does need to be performed to be understood?  See, it’s true.

Now, of course you could just rent those movies, but then you’d still be missing it.  I sat in on one of the rehearsals last week and even that performance broken out scene by scene was better than the movies.  Now, I really am not one to subscribe to tired old sayings, but it really is a meant to be seen live.  And, if these guys can make me laugh just during rehearsals, wait till we get to see the whole performance!

And don’t forget about those Shakespeare or Lyric Arts questions that have no doubt been pestering you.  Drop them on down in the comment box, because I’ll be back on Friday with all the answers you could ever hope for.

What is my Shakespearience?

I know what you’re thinking, “Shakespeare, ugh, come on.”  Well, this isn’t your English teacher’s Shakespeare.  This is *my* Shakespearience.

Look, I’m not so different than you.  I always thought Shakespeare was high-brow and difficult to understand.  Well look, we were wrong.  You know that tired old adage?  That Shakespeare needs to be seen live and not read?  Seems that may just be true.

Now, I bet you’re wondering, just who is this woman and what is she trying to do here?  Well, let me tell you, I’m here to take you along as I find out why Shakespeare has aged so well.  I’m just your average girl, who always thought, “Shakespeare?  Le sigh.”  Come along with me as I figure out that Shakespeare actually is fun.  I’ve got an inkling so far, but you’ll have to keep coming back to find out more.  Fresh new entries Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays.  And, I’ll even play literary detective for you.  Just plop those pesky questions that been plaguing you about Shakespeare or about Lyric Arts right on down in the comment box.  I’ll be doing some research and reporting back to you on Fridays.

I’ve got all kinds of goodies in store for you.  Behind the scenes, never before seen moments, all live from Lyric Arts.  And at the end of this, you can join me as I get to see my first production of Shakespeare, and what better show to see, than As You Like It?!  Especially, since Lyric Arts has got all kinds of exciting new treats to go along with this production.  Keep checking the website to find out more.