tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29175306.post8068290844316124123..comments2023-05-04T04:20:10.423-04:00Comments on Dave's Theater Blog: Members OnlyDave Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554650648344826824noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29175306.post-13371784107114216242007-10-02T17:15:00.000-04:002007-10-02T17:15:00.000-04:00I thought "Member of the Wedding" was a fairly wea...I thought "Member of the Wedding" was a fairly weak opening show for Barksdale's current season. Having said that, here is my defense.<BR/><BR/>First, it is very long - I felt a lot of dialog should have been cut or reduced - while yes, Bernice is an interesting character, the performance was quite touching and exquisite, I found myself (as well as many others around me) squirming, waiting for "something" to happen, and to "get on with it." The 12 minute monologue in Act II, sitting at the kitchen table with very little movement, and nothing but back story works well in a book, but I found it to bring the show to a complete stop - and not in a good way. It was not until Act III that things finally started to move - action, conflict, etc. - we were finally getting somewhere, where something was "happening" - real, physical action and conflict that moves the plot along. I felt Act I and II were way too slow and there were many times I heard people saying things such as "Oh, come on, let's move it" behind me.<BR/><BR/>The other issue I had is that the secondary characters, such as Jarvis and his finance, you never get a chance to really know - why is Frankie so attached to them, and what is it about them that she loves so desperately, that she'll stop at nothing to go with them? I understood the need for her to fit in and "find her we", but the characters are only onstage for maybe 8 minutes the whole show, and you don't get enough time to know them, and their true connection to Frankie.<BR/><BR/>I thought Eric Evans' portrayal of John Henry was heartbreaking and honest, and I applaud him for fine work for such a young actor. I wanted to know more about his character, as well. <BR/><BR/>So, David - yes, I agree, that the African American characters were much more interesting and captivating - we wanted to know more, but we never got this chance. Perhaps the book (which I admit, I have not read) explains a lot more. <BR/><BR/>Again, I don't find fault so much with the direction (Scott, you're always terrific), but moreso with the construction of the play, and the story. <BR/><BR/>Hats off to the design team (as David said) - beautiful set; you almost felt like you were "right next door."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com