DAY 12

Class:

The Big Day has arrived. We all had to perform our Shakespeare monologues while Mr. Jonathan Cullen, a fantastic professional actor, critiqued us individually. It is hard to capture everyone’s performances in just a few words, but they were memorable to say the least. We got some great advice from Mr. Cullen on both our individual speeches and acting in general. My favorite advice of his: actingis about knowing what is going to happen and tricking yourself into thinking that you don’t (paraphrased). The biggest problem for us seemed to be our stage fright, which both Professor Clum and Jonathan gave us some good mental advice on. There are, of course, alternative solutions to this problem.

Daphne performing her monologue with EVERYONE WATCHING!!!

We technically discussed tonight’s show during yesterday’s class, but I’ll put it here for simplicity’s sake. Stephen Sondheim: if you don’t know who he is, you should. He’s a pretty big deal, and this is one of his many hit shows (Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Into the Woods, etc.) revitalized for the West End.

A Little Night Music was based on the movie Smiles of a Summer Night (Ingmar Bergman), and focuses on the role that sex plays in love. Sounds like it is going to be an interesting night.

Show:

A Little Night Music at The Garrick Theater

After a little delicious dinner and a little wine at The Forge, we headed to the nearby Garrick Theater for a little night music, as part of Sondheim’s classic. The music was fantastic and the play was surprisingly funny, highlighted by the witty Madame Armfeldt (‘Solitaire is the only thing in life which demands absolute honesty’). “A Weekend in the Country,” the final song in Act I, and “Every Day a Little Death” were two of my favorites, and were telling displays of Sondheim’s musical acumen.

After the show, we took a collective exhale, and said our goodbyes. It’s been a great run.

Quote Idea of the Day: Neil Simon didn’t count the number of laughs he got during a performance, he counted the coughs.

~ by danlerman on June 26, 2009.