Hey all. I apologize for not writing last night before bed, but I was tuckered after 3 shows and a full day of work. I can’t imagine what it’s like for the ensemble members to workshop for about 7 hours and then perform that night literally 12 hours after they started their day. But, it’s a week of intensity and innovation, so sacrifices must be made.
The shows – well, I’ll be honest, AKA was good – they did a great job with what they were doing and they totally had the crowd. I just want to help encourage them to take a little more pro active step towards the front of the stage – they play a little back and that subconsciously makes me think they are still a little afraid of the audience – even though their talent is more than ample. They did well, and I hope that constant praise doesn’t damage their egos, because they are tight and fun to watch and poignant and original, but there is always room to improve and become better.
The guys from Shelly’s Sweet 16 were great. They put on a show stopping musical that was about 20 minutes long and as varied in it’s style and delivery as it was excellent in it’s narrative structure. It really blew the audience away – as promised. And these two guys haven’t worked with each other in a while, nor have they played with Woodhands, the festival musician before – truly it was great, and awe-inspiring.
Unfortunately, they should have stropped their show after the musical – they would have received a standing ovation for sure, but instead they filled their remaining 4 minutes with a lack-luster variety show attempt that turned out to be more sloppy masturbation, though funny nonetheless. But, it was easily forgiven by the crowd because of the stellar performance the scene before – but no standing ovation.
Then, the good ‘ol boys of VTSL stepped up with their performance of String Theory, a musical Harold that ended up becoming a musical as well. Unfortunately, you can’t follow a stellar musical with a barely adequate one. Though I admire the grit of a company that knows they showed up to do the same thing that just happened and that it will not be as good, yet they slapped a smile on their face and dug in. I think the prior show probably pushed them into a better show than they would have done without it, but still, it paled in comparison.
The problems came mostly from on person bulldozing every second scene despite their mediocrity and small contribution to the show. He’s the kind of improviser that everyone sees and then immediately second guesses themselves because of it. I’m a confident performer – I know what I can do and I’ll try to push myself, but there is a line before that attitude becomes destructive in a show – it’s just too bad that this improviser can’t see that line and is too clouded in his self-confidence to recognize he’s hurting everything. And he managed to do the same thing in the ensemble show. Wow – taking out two shows in one night – that’s tough.
I am really excited to see the ensemble come together. I realize they have only had 2 days of workshops, so the initial shows will be rocky, but I expect good things. I hope the instructors coming up from the USA are going to be constructive for the performers that do more damage than good, by being honest with them and letting them know when they are hurting scenes and when they are helping. It’s the only way they will be reigned in for the rest of the ensemble shows. And that’s the only way those shows will come together and be as awesome as they can be. I guess we’ll see tonight how they have progressed. There are so many talented people in the company that I just can’t wait to be surprised.
