The Arts in New York City

Ok, I’m doing this backwards. I should have commented on BAM first, but, hey, whatever.

Watching a Greek play could be as equally, if not more, enjoyable than reading the play. As Professor Drabik said, there was a poetic element to the words of the play.

Unfortunately for me, I could not keep my eyes open during the first few scenes, only because I did not get enough sleep. It’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it though. I noticed that the costuming–simple, yet fantastic–was really important in identifying the characters. Clytemnstra wore a silky green dress that told me that she was at the top of the hierarchy and a money-hungry, materialistic one. When Orestes came on to the stage for the scene where he reveals to Electra he is alive, did anyone else notice that they both wore black? Hint-hint. Also, I know I might be stealing ideas from someone here, but it was awesome how the director changed Electra’s costume from black (sign of mourning) to white (purity) after she washes off the mistakened grief she gave. It’s like she was trying to wash off the shameful things she said.

I thought the acting was superb. The chorus were just as much a part of the play as they were the commentators. They were so in tune. Even though I was talking to some of the others about the grief scene, I felt that it was necessary for Electra to let out those cries of grief. It made it more believable for me, despite the exaggeration. I felt her grief.

What made this performance different from the other ones that we watched (especially Spring’s Awakening) was that they mostly relied on good acting instead of the combination of good acting and good music. It made you draw more attention to the effectiveness of the plot.

I can’t forget about the set and the lighting. The metal wall in the back reflected the lighting, providing a more complete, realistic effect. That was fantastic. The celebration of the death of Clytmnestra seemed like a rejoiceful bonfire at the end.

Some questions. Why did Electra come out of one of the metal squares in the beginning as an introduction? She looked dreadfully scary. I thought it was some soul from hell crying back for life. Also, was that opening in the center of the stage meant to be a door the entire time?

My post on Hotel Cassiopeia coming to a blog near you….