Constant Reader discussion

Marjorie, I had the incomparable experience of seeing David Rabe's daughter, Lily, play Portia to Al Pacino's Shylock on Broadway a few years ago. In an amazing demonstration of "The show must go on," Lily missed two performances to be at her mother, Jill Clayburgh's side, but returned to take up her part once her mother passed and no longer needed her. Jill Clayburgh was able to see Lily as Portia that summer when the play was being performed at the Public Theatre in Central Park.

The look of realization on Rabe's Portia's face as she surveyed what her actions had wrought while the lights were going down on the final act makes her the best Portia I have yet seen.

Amazing.

We saw this performance in Central Park a few years ago and also found both Lily Rabe's performance as well as Al Pacino's among the best we ever saw when it came to this play.

Another suggestion for us to read sometime in future:
since Seamus Heaney just died recently, how about his The Burial at Thebes: A Version of Sophocles' Antigone, his version of Antigone? I haven't read it yet but have a hold on it in the library.

Jane, that is a wonderful, timely idea. I read Antigone a long, long, long time ago, but it wasn't Heany's version.

We seem to be set for plays to read through December but please keep it in mind when we are suggesting plays to vote on for 2014.

Will do; I'll keep it in mind. I'm excited about reading it; I'd like to see what Heaney does with it.

Nancy, I hope you will be stopping by in October when we read " A Streetcar Named Desire". Did you see the most recent Broadway production, with Blair Brown, wasn't it?

Jane, I've just been scrolling back thru this thread. You've offered some wonderful plays in translation. Please jump in with them when the time is right.

Which is when, do you think? Start asking for suggestions for 2014 (2014 ieyikes when did that happen? on the day after Halloween, November 1. That should give us two weeks to compile a votable list, don't you thi k? Please let me know. Portia

Sure. After Halloween sounds fine.
I don't think I'll mention it as a suggestion, but that Edna St. Vincent Millay play was interesting--and something unusual!The King's Henchman: A Play in Three Acts

Sounds I intriguing. Lets keep it open.

Did I mention it on this thread or on the currently reading one by month? It's a medieval story--love triangle. I just checked; I marked it read July 21, 2013 and I reviewed it subsequently.

☯Emily wrote: "I love anything by Oscar Wilde. For humor, The Rivals, is top-notch. Love Mrs. Malaprop."

☯Emily wrote: "I love anything by Oscar Wilde. For humor, The Rivals, is top-notch. Love Mrs. Malaprop."

Emily, based on your suggestion for this thread to read The Rivals, I ordered a copy that arrived today. I hope you are still interested (and that this thread still lives) in December, when I have proposed that we gather ideas for plays to read in 2014.

Best from
Portia

Portia wrote: "While we are waiting for October 1, why don't we discuss our individual preferences when it comes to books, live theater, and movies.

Live theater, naturally gives us the chance to breathe the sam..."

I'm an actor and I love doing theatre for just the reasons you suggest, Portia. It's during performance that the show really takes off no matter how much time was spent in rehearsal--there's just something about running the show night after night for an audience that leads to marvelous things, including mortifying moments when something goes wrong. Those often end up being the best moments--or at least the most memorable. There's an article about Mark Rylance making the rounds among my actor Facebook friends--he talks about embracing the chaos. That's exactly what it feels like on a good day.

Portia wrote: "OK, Play Readers! Here is my idea for our schedule. This is only my idea. Let's also hear yours.

October 1, 2013 "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams

November 1, 2013 "The..."

Looks great! I'd be happy to lead the discussion on Midsummer if no one else feels strongly about doing it!

Thank you for your generous offer, Beth, but I think Midsummer may be taken.

However, if we follow the format other threads do, when the time comes for suggestions (December, at this point), please feel free to suggest a play whose discussion you'd like to lead. Then we'll all vote and, if that play is selected, then it's yours.

But please don't wait until then. Discussion on "A Streetcar Named Desire" begin October 1.

I will, thanks!
And I'm looking forward to the Streetcar discussion!

Hi, everyone. Just a happy reminder for all Constant Readers interested in "A Streetcar named Desire," that the discussion begins in earnest (with apologies to Mr. Wilde) on October 1.

I am planning to see Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine", with Cate Blanchette, called by some Allen's version of Streetcar, this coming Thursday.

BUT, as Robert Burns used to say, "The best laid plans of mine and men, gang aft aglae."

Or as my friend who are Jewish say, "Man plan, God laughs."

I hope Sepember is working out for all of you. It is waaaaay too hot here.

Just a reminder to the Play Reading crowd of Constant Readers that we will be reading "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde beginning November 1. I am having trouble finding a link to the copy I have. It is "The Importance of Being Earnest and Four Other Plays, Introduction and Notes by Kenneth Krauss." Barnes and Noble Classics, New York, 2003.

I think any edition will do. We can sort out scenes if we need to as we did with "Streetcar."

"Earnest" is a comedy that can be brilliantly funny when performed well but is also pretty darned funny just reading by oneself. Colin Firth played Earnest, or was it Jack (:-)) in the movie a few years ago.

At this time of nights getting longer and money getting shorter, I think we all will enjoy a bit of levity atthe expense of the snobbish class.

Niw what? Where did this discussion go? Is it continued somewhere. I don't see a section for plays.

I think it died.

Yes, I think it died. No reason why we shouldn't start it again though?