Blog - Page 13 of 20 - Directing is the Art of Listening

15
Jan

Antony and Cleopatra: Review

Katherine recently sent me a review by Bridgette Redman of Encore Michigan, which for some reason didn’t end up getting published. Bridgette said we could share some of it on our own websites and promo materials, so here are some of my favorite bits. Running now at Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company’s multiple locations, their “Antony and Cleopatra” is a love story and Katherine Mayberry and Scott Lange as the titular couple sizzle with tempestuous passion. Let the whole world make their demands, let armies and navies clash, these two are meant to be together and nothing […]

12
Jan

The Secret in the Wings at West Liberty University

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

I’ve been wanting to get over to West Liberty University for ages, to see what Michael Aulick is doing. I know Michael because we’re both on leadership for KCACTF Region 2, and I’ve been impressed with the work his students have brought to the festival, as well as with his intense recruiting. At a time […]

8
Jan

Richard III at American Shakespeare Center

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

Since I’m getting ready to direct Richard III at the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, I want to see a few productions of it. I try to pay attention to where I feel lost as an audience member, what parts speak to me, what bits feel extraneous. So I saw one of the last performances of Richard III […]

5
Jan

Pericles at Harrisburg Shakespeare Company

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

Harrisburg Shakespeare, at the Gamut Theater Group, invited me to come check out their performance of Pericles. It’s not often performed, which is too bad, because it’s a fun show. Some of the performances in this production were very strong, especially Marina. The cast was very diverse in age, gender, and ethnicity, which is always nice […]

2
Jan

Henry V at Faction of Fools

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

I’ve heard about Faction for a while now, but I hadn’t been able to catch one of their shows until a couple weeks ago, when I saw their Henry V. Faction of Fools is a commedia dell’arte troupe. Some of their members have actually gone to Italy to train with people who have received that tradition […]

1
Jan

First Show

By Aili In Shows

The other day, Silas asked me what the first show I directed was. My go-to answer is a pair of one-acts, selected by my high school drama teacher, when I was 14 (tenth grade). They were Sorry, Wrong Number and What Button to Press. The former was a radio drama adapted for the stage, and the latter–all I remember is […]

31
Dec

The Changling at Brave Spirits Theater

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

TW: Rape, murder. It’s not every day I get to see an early modern play that I haven’t seen or read before, but somehow I missed The Changling. Lucky for me, Brave Spirits was on that. The Changling is a rape and murder story. Fun times. The direction, by Charlene Smith, who I believe also went […]

27
Dec

The Duchess of Malfi at Brave Spirits Theater

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

So, I went to see Duchess in a rep with The Changling at Brave Spirits Theater in Alexandria. I had mentioned to Bridget that I was going to see this, and she told me this was a terrible idea. JC also said that I probably shouldn’t do it. I think they were right. I think the production […]

21
Dec

Tick, Tick…Boom! at York College

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

Let me tell you, it is a weird thing to see 18-year-olds in 2018 perform a play about being on the brink of turning 30 in 1990. This production was great and interesting–and also kind of surreal. The problem, I think, with doing Tick, Tick…Boom! right now is that it isn’t far enough away, but it […]

18
Dec

Men on Boats at Bridgewater College

By Aili In Reviews (Other People's Shows)

I saw Men on Boats at Bridgewater College as a participating production for KCACTF. It was fantastic. The script tells the story of the Powell Expedition, while asking questions about the typical story, which, of course, we only have from Powell himself. One cool thing about this script is that the playwright, Jaclyn Backhaus, said that she […]