Comments on: Sometimes A Great Notion http://www.pcs.org This is Your Blog On Theater Sat, 10 May 2008 02:30:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Roberto http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6988 Roberto Sat, 10 May 2008 01:08:09 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6988 I saw the play last night (5/8/08) and loved it. Thought it was a great performance. Unfortunately there was an unusual annoyance coming from the audience. There was a man who could not contain himself and his reactions, which were inappropriate and excessive. It was as if he were at a football game rather than in the theater. His loud laughter I can excuse (even though that was interfering with the actors' delivery of lines), however his commentary and exuberant "cheering" (he would sometimes repeat words, eg. a profanity in an actor's line) I cannot. I felt embarrassed that the actors had to have him in the audience. I now wish someone had attempted to try to get him to tone it down I saw the play last night (5/8/08) and loved it. Thought it was a great performance. Unfortunately there was an unusual annoyance coming from the audience. There was a man who could not contain himself and his reactions, which were inappropriate and excessive. It was as if he were at a football game rather than in the theater. His loud laughter I can excuse (even though that was interfering with the actors’ delivery of lines), however his commentary and exuberant “cheering” (he would sometimes repeat words, eg. a profanity in an actor’s line) I cannot. I felt embarrassed that the actors had to have him in the audience. I now wish someone had attempted to try to get him to tone it down

]]> By: Remington http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6480 Remington Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:12:20 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6480 I went with my buddy JHS along with the 32 students on 4-24-08 and must say this production truly is a once in lifetime theatrical event. It possesses the raw emotionality and literate imagery along with the requisite universality to make it all the way to Broadway (ala KENTUCKY CYCLE and other plays birthed in regional theatres). To be apart of such a magical experience is unique as well as a privilage. With the 16 days remaining in its run, GO SEE IT now! It grabs one by the guts and holds on for dear life. It doesn't "give a inch" and refuses to allow the audience to "get off the bus." Well-paced and expertly staged the play flies by. The actors find the living roots of themselves manifested in the characters and create human beings. This will soon vanish into the ephemera that is theatre. Be a part of history now and see it while you can. Or wait and pay 180.00 bucks to see it on Broadway. When it does make it to Broadway, here's to hoping the original cast remains intact. The casting cannot be improved. Well done folks! I went with my buddy JHS along with the 32 students on 4-24-08 and must say this production truly is a once in lifetime theatrical event. It possesses the raw emotionality and literate imagery along with the requisite universality to make it all the way to Broadway (ala KENTUCKY CYCLE and other plays birthed in regional theatres). To be apart of such a magical experience is unique as well as a privilage. With the 16 days remaining in its run, GO SEE IT now! It grabs one by the guts and holds on for dear life. It doesn’t “give a inch” and refuses to allow the audience to “get off the bus.” Well-paced and expertly staged the play flies by. The actors find the living roots of themselves manifested in the characters and create human beings. This will soon vanish into the ephemera that is theatre. Be a part of history now and see it while you can. Or wait and pay 180.00 bucks to see it on Broadway. When it does make it to Broadway, here’s to hoping the original cast remains intact. The casting cannot be improved. Well done folks!

]]> By: JHS http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6461 JHS Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:16:18 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6461 I took 32 high school students to this play and they were engrossed. I'm frankly astonished (maybe amused) at the idiocy of the comment above (98% would find it boring). Near as I could count 100% of the house yesterday stood and applauded at the end of the show. I can't think of a single one who looked bored. I've seen over twenty live productions in the past year including six in Ashland (two of which I thought were fantastic, the others were very good) yet I would put this production right up there with any of them. The acting is incredible and this play manages to create a world that you lose yourself in for two and a half hours. I've seen the show twice now and would happily go see it again. Don't miss this- it's really something special. I took 32 high school students to this play and they were engrossed. I’m frankly astonished (maybe amused) at the idiocy of the comment above (98% would find it boring). Near as I could count 100% of the house yesterday stood and applauded at the end of the show. I can’t think of a single one who looked bored. I’ve seen over twenty live productions in the past year including six in Ashland (two of which I thought were fantastic, the others were very good) yet I would put this production right up there with any of them. The acting is incredible and this play manages to create a world that you lose yourself in for two and a half hours.
I’ve seen the show twice now and would happily go see it again.
Don’t miss this- it’s really something special.

]]> By: HB http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6391 HB Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:38:22 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6391 I hope that the theater-goers who want gentle or predictable shows skip this one. The novel was neither of those things and this production does the book justice. The sets and lighting/effects capture the experience of being deep in the coastal range and the use of the chorus is just a perfect way to help bridge the gap between Kesey's prose and dramatic action. Loved it and have recommended it to many. I hope that the theater-goers who want gentle or predictable shows skip this one. The novel was neither of those things and this production does the book justice. The sets and lighting/effects capture the experience of being deep in the coastal range and the use of the chorus is just a perfect way to help bridge the gap between Kesey’s prose and dramatic action. Loved it and have recommended it to many.

]]> By: chris http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6282 chris Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:09:51 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6282 I saw the play with my wife and two friends on Sunday night. After finishing the book on Saturday, I had the story fresh in mind for the performance. I believe the play captured the plot, spirit and conflict of the book as best as possible for live theater. The characters were developed to their most important points, the plot was accurate and included the strong and necessary scenes. The actors, particularly the one portraying Lee, did their characters justice - no small feat for this story. I am amazed and impressed at how true Kesey's work was portrayed. Congratulations. I saw the play with my wife and two friends on Sunday night. After finishing the book on Saturday, I had the story fresh in mind for the performance. I believe the play captured the plot, spirit and conflict of the book as best as possible for live theater. The characters were developed to their most important points, the plot was accurate and included the strong and necessary scenes. The actors, particularly the one portraying Lee, did their characters justice - no small feat for this story. I am amazed and impressed at how true Kesey’s work was portrayed. Congratulations.

]]> By: cynpup http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6226 cynpup Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:33:36 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6226 I was very impressed with the play, the acting & the production. The close of the first act was especially energizing and I loved the stamping choreography for the logging. I was also very impressed with Hank's stream of consciousness while strenuously swimming the river and the fight scene between the brothers. All very real, emotionally and physically. I agree that almost every Oregonian would relate to the play...and I think it has meaning beyond Oregon. There are timeless elements of Greek and other myths here (Phedre; Cain and Abel), and issues of labor and work are being debated in the presidential campaign. In any case, I hope it travels throughout Oregon -- including Ashland -- at the very least. Bravo! I was very impressed with the play, the acting & the production. The close of the first act was especially energizing and I loved the stamping choreography for the logging. I was also very impressed with Hank’s stream of consciousness while strenuously swimming the river and the fight scene between the brothers. All very real, emotionally and physically. I agree that almost every Oregonian would relate to the play…and I think it has meaning beyond Oregon. There are timeless elements of Greek and other myths here (Phedre; Cain and Abel), and issues of labor and work are being debated in the presidential campaign. In any case, I hope it travels throughout Oregon — including Ashland — at the very least. Bravo!

]]> By: JB http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6212 JB Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:12:44 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6212 Just saw the show tonight and loved it. This is one of my top five books — a desert island book for sure — but it had been hard for me to envision its transformation to the stage. PCS' production, however, nailed it for the most part. All the main characters are great (Viv maybe not as strong as the rest and possibly a little too much Niles Crane in Leland, but minor digs, all), perfect stage, liked the chorus. The whole take did the book justice, much more than the movie ever did and I'm glad it's part of the Kesey repertoire. Great job. Just saw the show tonight and loved it. This is one of my top five books — a desert island book for sure — but it had been hard for me to envision its transformation to the stage. PCS’ production, however, nailed it for the most part. All the main characters are great (Viv maybe not as strong as the rest and possibly a little too much Niles Crane in Leland, but minor digs, all), perfect stage, liked the chorus. The whole take did the book justice, much more than the movie ever did and I’m glad it’s part of the Kesey repertoire. Great job.

]]> By: Ann http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6183 Ann Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:33:14 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6183 Saw it last night with my DH - very impressed with all aspects - set, lighting, sound, choreography,and acting, not to mention plot interpretation. Some people who anticipate the "song and dance" theater might be disappointed, but those who appreciate good drama and theatrical experience will find this an excellent experience. Saw it last night with my DH - very impressed with all aspects - set, lighting, sound, choreography,and acting, not to mention plot interpretation. Some people who anticipate the “song and dance” theater might be disappointed, but those who appreciate good drama and theatrical experience will find this an excellent experience.

]]> By: Jessola http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6022 Jessola Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:28:12 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-6022 That's a funny statistic to pull out of thin air. I actually think this is one of the best productions we have done at PCS since I have been here. It is beautifully done from so many aspects. I have heard many people in the community buzzing about Sometimes A Great Notion and how good it is. I would venture to say quite a bit more than 2% of people will and do enjoy this show. That’s a funny statistic to pull out of thin air.

I actually think this is one of the best productions we have done at PCS since I have been here. It is beautifully done from so many aspects. I have heard many people in the community buzzing about Sometimes A Great Notion and how good it is. I would venture to say quite a bit more than 2% of people will and do enjoy this show.

]]> By: Stone Manly http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-5950 Stone Manly Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:02:25 +0000 http://www.pcs.org/sometimes/#comment-5950 I saw it tonight. 98% of people will find this play incredibly boring. I saw it tonight. 98% of people will find this play incredibly boring.

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