Donald V. Calamia (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} critic_don) wrote,@ 2008-02-19 21:35:00 |
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WHAT WOULD FREUD THINK?
A few weeks back Linda Rabin Hammell invited Laura and Marty Kohn (the recently-retired theater critic for The Detroit Press) and myself to a table reading of a new script written by Ann Arbor playwright Lizzi Brent. So last evening, the three of us joined about a dozen or so others at the A2 Downtown Library for a very enjoyable session that I hope proved fruitful for the playwright.
For those readers who don't know what a table reading is, it's when a playwright assembles a group of actors to read aloud a script-in-progress in front of an audience so that a couple of things can happen: (1) The playwright can hear it out loud, possibly for the first time, so that he or she can determine how "natural" the dialogue sounds; and (2) the playwright can get feedback from the audience that will help determine what in the script, if anything, needs more work. (For example, existing dialogue might not make it clear what the relationships are among the various characters, or a plot device in a drama might be too hokey for an audience to accept without breaking out into fits of laughter.) It's a wonderful tool for the playwright - if he or she is open to critical comments from a bunch of people who may or may not know what the heck they are talking about.
It's an event filled with tension for the playwright, who shouldn't take any of the comments as a personal attack. After all, countless hours and many sleepless nights have been spent working on the script, and chances are, the playwright is very much love with pretty much every word he or she has written. And no parent wants to hear what's wrong with their young ones!
Last night's table reading went very well, I thought. Lizzi - whom I'd never met before - seemed to take all our comments quite well, although I suspect she disagreed with a few of them. (So did I, though, too.) Many, however, I suspect we'll see in the version of the script that's ultimately produced. (A handful of local theaters are currently considering it for a future staged reading or full production.)
The script, currently titled The Strawberry & The Kaiser, details the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his youngest daughter, Anna. I won't say much more than that, but it's a fascinating subject told fairly well. Her research into the subject was extensive - something I asked at the beginning of the talk-back session - and impressive. (I've been told Lizzi has a Ph.D. in film and culture, and it shows through her thoroughness!)
All told, I'd say the script is about 80% where it needs to be for its first professional production. And as Marty said afterwards, I'd go see it again.
Especially if Marty Smith plays Sigmund. His reading of the character last night was damn good, and I hope whoever produces the show locally hires him for role. I can only imagine how good he'll be with just a little rehearsal...
A few weeks back Linda Rabin Hammell invited Laura and Marty Kohn (the recently-retired theater critic for The Detroit Press) and myself to a table reading of a new script written by Ann Arbor playwright Lizzi Brent. So last evening, the three of us joined about a dozen or so others at the A2 Downtown Library for a very enjoyable session that I hope proved fruitful for the playwright.
For those readers who don't know what a table reading is, it's when a playwright assembles a group of actors to read aloud a script-in-progress in front of an audience so that a couple of things can happen: (1) The playwright can hear it out loud, possibly for the first time, so that he or she can determine how "natural" the dialogue sounds; and (2) the playwright can get feedback from the audience that will help determine what in the script, if anything, needs more work. (For example, existing dialogue might not make it clear what the relationships are among the various characters, or a plot device in a drama might be too hokey for an audience to accept without breaking out into fits of laughter.) It's a wonderful tool for the playwright - if he or she is open to critical comments from a bunch of people who may or may not know what the heck they are talking about.
It's an event filled with tension for the playwright, who shouldn't take any of the comments as a personal attack. After all, countless hours and many sleepless nights have been spent working on the script, and chances are, the playwright is very much love with pretty much every word he or she has written. And no parent wants to hear what's wrong with their young ones!
Last night's table reading went very well, I thought. Lizzi - whom I'd never met before - seemed to take all our comments quite well, although I suspect she disagreed with a few of them. (So did I, though, too.) Many, however, I suspect we'll see in the version of the script that's ultimately produced. (A handful of local theaters are currently considering it for a future staged reading or full production.)
The script, currently titled The Strawberry & The Kaiser, details the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his youngest daughter, Anna. I won't say much more than that, but it's a fascinating subject told fairly well. Her research into the subject was extensive - something I asked at the beginning of the talk-back session - and impressive. (I've been told Lizzi has a Ph.D. in film and culture, and it shows through her thoroughness!)
All told, I'd say the script is about 80% where it needs to be for its first professional production. And as Marty said afterwards, I'd go see it again.
Especially if Marty Smith plays Sigmund. His reading of the character last night was damn good, and I hope whoever produces the show locally hires him for role. I can only imagine how good he'll be with just a little rehearsal...
