Category — Drama

This is probably going to be the most memorable trip of the semester for me because it was the last one, how much I enjoyed it, and because I was so surprised by it. I should start my review by saying that I did not know that this play was supposed to take place in the 70s or the 80s, which is why for almost all the play, I did not get what the big deal was. I just didn’t understand why the sex change would change anything about Chris. She is still the same person with the same thoughts and feelings. But even if it did take place today, I think that the fact that Chris lied hurt more than anything. I really understood why Chris lied. She had everything he wanted and I think she was trying to hide the struggles of her past and not bring up the traumatic things that happened to her before she had the life she always wanted to avoid ruining it or being judged again. If she was kicked out of her house and only 17 by her own family, how could she expect others to accept her? I was really sympathizing for Chris for so long, I really didn’t judge her until she played her father. It was when she revealed what she did to her dad to her brother that I realized that these characters aren’t ideal and that everything is not black and white. I think the thing that made these characters so real was that they had both good and bad qualities. They were only human. Even until the end of the play, I was really sad for Chris because I think it is naïve to believe that the family would live happily-ever-after, especially during that time period, but I was feeling bad for Chris until the end because at the end of her therapy session, I was wondering if she would have gotten the sex changed if she felt that she could have been a gay guy during that time and find someone to love her.

I do not remember who brought it up in class first, but I definitely agree that some of the language in the play was offensive. Every time one of the characters said the “f” word, I would cringe or wince. It is such a vulgar word and even the way the actors delivered the word, you could tell it was out of a place of disgust, which was just so harsh.

For some reason, I thought it was really selfish of some of the family members to make the situation about them. For example, Tony was very concerned about himself and if he is gay and concerned about the fact that he was with a man. During his confession scene, I realized he probably did not want Chris’s secret to get out because of what people would say about him too. Even the son Joey was kind of selfish. I thought his reaction was selfish as well. I thought that he left the family to join the military because he couldn’t take knowing that his step-mom was a man. I feel like his reaction was impulsive and I feel like he wasn’t thinking about how running away might affect his family and was just concerned with himself.

I think it was Alex and Cale who mentioned it, but they said that the playwright tried getting the play recognized years ago and no one would touch it. This got me thinking about other works of art that in the pass would not be acceptable. It really made me sad to hear that this play and probably other art forms that are considered inappropriate go unrecognized because I feel like the arts are supposed to be this open and honest way of communicating the truth, even if it a truth we do not want to see.

This was honestly the best performance we had probably gone to all year. It was an amazing trip to end on, and I loved how close up to the stage we were. Watching the different actors do the play was amazing, being able to see all the emotion the put in made the performance so believable.

The story behind it was such a shock too, this was the only performance we had seen where we basically didn’t know what would happen and it was an amazing surprise. At this time and age, the LGBT community is grown and more accepted so it was interesting to look at a performance placed in a time where it was strange to be part of the community and resulted in you being outcasted. The whole plot behind the story helped to put on an amazing show so that you wanted to stay awake to watch. The ending I feel could have used more closure since we never knew how the son and family ended up. The fact that most of the crowd was people from a generation who probably grew up looking down on those who are now considered LGBT was interesting, since they most likely knew some context to how the show would end up, and truly wanted to see a performance with something that some people today still seem to look down upon.

In the end just going to that amazing performance was an amazing last trip to see art, aside from our finals, and it was incredibly enjoyable. I really loved being able to be in this Macaulay seminar semester with all of you guys, and I hope we can all enjoy what our later seminars hold for us.

I had no idea what to expect from this particular play. I’ve never seen a play at an off broadway theater. What I noticed first was how small and limited the theater seemed. It was a far cry from the opera which had revolving sets and professional lighting. Like the comic book archive, they used what they had and made the best of it. The change in setting was clear even though very little changes occurred in the set.

The defining factor of the play was the content. The topic was controversial even for today’s times. The actors successfully  emphasized the gravity of the situation and it was interesting to see how characters react to the situations they were thrown in. It was an interesting commentary on the ways in which society responds to transgenders and homosexuals. I felt that this was a trip that left me thinking about the issues presented. The play definitely stirred up thoughts within me about how we function as a society. It was a trip that was riveting and a valuable experience.

Being a huge fan of theatre I was super excited just waiting to go into the space.  As we walked in, I observed a cite set of a 1980’s american kitchen, that seemed so close I felt like I should go sit in the chair on the set.  I feel this show had to be very close to the audience, there is no other way of putting it on.  It gives it a sense of intimacy and draws you in that much more.  As for the show itself, I was defiantly not expecting such an emotional power house.  The whole time, about 10 minutes in, the audience is given an uneasy mood, not knowing the secret Chris had.  The show did not fail to keep that emotion and energy sustained; giving the audience what they wanted: Something the could think about and something they could feel.  What I got from it was this idea of identity and acceptance in society, and the effect it has on the people in our world.  The acting was on point!  However, I do think the father of the family (the name escapes me) did the best job.  Looking back, the character was very real and was put in a very tough situation.  Needless to say, I feel the actor did a superb job displaying his inner conflicts.  This process had to be a team effort.  I can’t really say that I saw one part of the show falling behind in comparison to another.  Though I do wish I saw more of what Chris had to say about who she was and why she felt what she did was necessary.  I really like to see a show where we can see the inner most thoughts of a character.  However, the building conflict, tension and drastic measures taken by characters made up for it.  I was lucky enough to meet the play write.  He didn’t say much aside from the fact that when he wrote it in the late 70’s-80’s no one would touch it.  After seeing it, and reflecting on the times, I can see why.  But it’s nice to see that the show was in the end put on.  I would recommend the show in a heart beat to anyone who enjoys theatre or just wants something to think about.

Out of all the trips we’ve went to this semester, this play is the one trip I probably could have seen in my free time. I’ve always loved both Broadway and off-Broadway plays and I secretly wanted to be an actress in my young life (hehe).

I felt that the actors of On the Stool at the End of the Bar really put their heart and soles into the performance. Their talent was undeniable and was definitely something I’ve never seen before. There was intense drama, emotion, and content. As I said in class today, I found the homophobia to be very overwhelming. The “F word,” as Professor Ugoretz called it, is such a hurtful term and so hearing it consistently throughout the play was a lot to take in. Like Farzana, I didn’t realize the play was not meant to be set in the present day. It makes so much sense that it wasn’t because I don’t feel that there is as much homophobia today as their was thirty years ago.

As far as the story line goes, I definitely agree with the idea that if the family knew about Chris’s “situation”from beforehand, there would not be a play at all. I liked how there wasn’t necessarily a “happy ending” because this story could potentially happen in real life and in real life, there usually ISN’T a happy ending. The play actually had a perfect ending in such a way that no one could really determine if it was a happy one or not. The audience got to decide on their own!

This trip to see the “off” off broadway play was arguably one of my favorite cultural experiences that happened within the class. When Professor Ugoretz told us all seats were great seats in this theater I simply wasnt expecting it to hold up true. However, all seats were in fact good seats in this small but certainly nice theater. Although I did not know what to expect prior to the play I was excited to find out what the Taboo subject that was talked about earlier within the play. It turned out that this subject was a sex change and how it effected a whole family and nearly 6 peoples lives. I was completely enthralled into the performance seeing how each actor showed how characters would act in the situation and they did it perfectly. All in all it was a great play and very well written.

This was definitely one of my favorite performances that we went to. It made me happy that the Professor trusted us enough to be mature in something that was rather racy, and very heavy to go to. The storyline of the play was very controversial and many times very difficult to listen to because of the intense homophobia, but it educated me because it showed me how difficult people’s lives can be when dealing with such strenuous matters as such.

The entire time I was wondering how my classmates would react to the play because I wasn’t sure how I was reacting to it myself. At some points during the performance I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat with anticipation, or clenching my fists out of fear and anger combined. I just couldn’t believe that someone wrote a play that consisted of so much profanity and hatefulness on a topic that is even difficult to speak about regularly. During intermission, a few of us were talking about the play, and everyone seemed to be in complete shock because they were not expecting something so racy and different.

This play was not the a-typical love story or Disney play, but it did send a message to me. It showed me that everyone has their own story to tell and everyone should be given the same chance to tell it without being judged because everyone is different, and thats what makes this world a more interesting place to live in.

Of all the Macaulay events that I have gone to, this one was by far my favorite. Professor Ugoretz was right when he said that we would definitely be surprised. The plot twist was perfect and everything that led up to it in the beginning helped connect the beginning to the end.

I especially liked the way the creators of the production made it have an actual message. Most of the plays and performances that I have watched never really had such an apparent theme. The play was meant to “expose some of the most pressing issues facing members of the LGBT community today.” I would not have to read the various handouts I was given upon entering the theater to figure that out. Just by watching the first half of the play it was easy to see just how the plot related to today’s issues in the LGBT community. I think that having a message that clearly intertwines itself into a story is important. That way, whoever is watching would know what the writers are trying to tell them. If there was social commentary involved in Carmen, I most certainly did not get it. However, I understood what the writers were targeting in this production. This is a major plus for the play.

Another thing I enjoyed about this play was the set and the entire environment. The way they were able to perform an entire play with just the same set was remarkable. I also liked how the theater was small. It made the performance feel like it was more “in your face” than anything I have ever seen before. It definitely makes the writers’ purpose much easier to convey. It also makes you invest more into the actual performance. The small area makes you stop thinking about whatever it is that you were thinking about and focus exclusively on the performance. Even the simplicity of the set helps you concentrate. Everything about the performance was critical and meshed well with everything else. I enjoyed this performance immensely.

I have been to Broadway shows and Shakespeare in the park performances, but never really to a small theatre production. Honestly, I thought it would just be a smaller version of a Broadway show (I was even expecting some dances).  As soon as I saw the small stage (and thought “Oh well no dancing”) and the seats (which were really all good) I figured this was going to be very different, and I wasn’t sure I understood what the whole point was.  Then it started and I got it.

There were few characters, no side stories, and hardly any variation of scenery, yet the acting (or most of it) was real, emotional, and raw, in a way that a popular Broadway blockbuster can never be.  The connection the actors made with the audience was very clear as they created an atmosphere in the theatre of suspense, fear, sadness, love, and humor all mixed together.  They got the audience hooked on the storyline and made them invested in the characters feelings and lives.

This experience shed some light on the artistry of good acting.  I found that since we were so close to the actors, I not only heard how they said their lines, but also saw their face expressions and body language.  This gave me the chance to notice the difference between good acting and bad.  It also made me appreciate the good acting all the more once I saw what it entailed.  The actors who seemed like they were not acting, the ones who showed their emotion and conveyed feeling effortlessly (like Tony and Joey) were the ones I felt were the best.  Others, seemed a bit stilted and stiff, their tone was off in certain scenes or their vocabulary was not natural enough, those were the actors that fell short.

What have I got out of this theatre outing? I think I figured out one of the main components of a good actor – doing the unnatural naturally. And now I know that its a lot harder than it looks.

What a show. It was amazing. I had no idea what to expect and I was so surprised at the turn of events. And I guess that was the point. To me, it became even more controversial when I found out that this was written 30 years ago. It wasn’t something that was written in retrospect. It was written in the time that it was taking place, the 1980s, which I believe was very brave. Also, it was only over the course of two days… It felt much longer probably because it was so heavy.

The show really provoked many emotions within me. At the beginning before anything was revealed I thought, “what a cute little family!” They’re all so happy. Then, Tony’s reaction when he found out about Chris really upset me. He loved her for 8 years. However, I do agree that she should have told him from the beginning; it’s not a small detail of her life.

I really didn’t like that the priest was trying to convince Tony that he was gay, or bisexual. But that just showed that religion doesn’t accept people for who they believe they are. He didn’t accept that Chris was a woman, and believed that Tony didn’t know that Chris is trans. It made me feel that religion is so strict and has no room for interpretation.

The part that captured me the most, though, was when Joey confronted his father about it all. The father-son interaction in that scene was so emotional. Plus, they were really good actors. I really felt Tony’s struggle between setting his son straight to be respectful (and trying to make him believe the truth) and loving him so to not to hurt the family more. When Joey yelled at his dad that final time before he left, it was as if he was punching the tears out of me. He left me as stunned as Tony was.

The fact that the stage and the actors were so close that I could just whisper to them from my seat really made me feel like I was experiencing it all with them. At the start I felt a little awkward, as if I was intruding because we were so close, but then I didnt even notice anymore and I was just captivated by the show. It made it feel more personal.