The Iliad
I did just post a shorter version of this on FB, but figured it was getting long enough that it could merit an LJ entry.
Have a season subscription for SJ Stage thanks to Groupon. This is actually my second season subscription. For the most part, it's been very enjoyable as they've pretty much been good or better. The actors have always been pretty talented and there have been a few plays I'd even call outstanding. On occasion they decide to change a play, they're definitely more fluid with their lineup than a more established theater like the SHN in SF. Tonight was one of those nights when the play lineup had changed. Due to the subscription I often don't know much about whatever play we're seeing since it's all in the package and I often forget to do any research beforehand.
Me (to Rod at dinner): We're seeing By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
We scurry over from dinner a block away and get seated in the nick of time. Ppl actually mistakenly took our seats, and the usher tells is to just go ahead and sit one row back in the back row (it's a very small theater, there are only like 5 rows). I'm slightly annoyed at the seat taking but it's not a big deal being one row off plus now we can sit with no one next to us on either side.
Rod and I look around. Rod comments on how there aren't that many ppl tonight. I agree. The audience is typically pretty small anyway since the theater is small but there are usu more seats filled esp on a Friday night.
I look down at my program.
Me: Oh, wait, looks like they're doing The Iliad now...
Before I get a chance to read my program, lights go off. Actor comes out, starts a monologue that seems to go on and on.
~10 min in I start wondering when the other actors will come out. Sneak a peek at program. One character is listed. Uh oh....
A lot of speechifying, shouting, and banging of props ensues.
~70 min in I sneak a peek at my watch wondering when intermission is and maybe we can just not come back. Sneak a peek at program. There is no intermission. Doh!
~90 min in the character starts rattling off all the wars throughout history. Literally. Feels like this goes on for 5 min. I get there's a msg being conveyed here but I could use the restroom. Eye the door. It is very far away. And the theater is small. He will totally see me if I try to leave.
2 hrs later, freedom! Omg. Felt like I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
Haha, talked to Rod about it after and he pretty much was on the same page as me. He actually did know there was no intermission bc they announced it at the beginning but I guess I wasn't paying attention to that part since due to the play change and the seating snafu Rod was like "Are we in the right place? Is this the right date?" so I was pondering that. Answers were yes and yes. Rod also said he'd pondered how we could escape but concluded there was no easy way to do so without drawing attention to ourselves, hehe. We were also kind of glad the seat snafu happened in the end bc then we could freely fidget and flop around to the sides w/o bothering anyone else.
All kidding aside, the guy did do an impressive job and he was talented but this definitely wasn't my cup of tea. I've read The Iliad, I don't need it narrated to me. Ppl did seem into it though. Many gave the actor a standing ovation at the end, and when I finally made it to the restroom, I heard some women raving about it. Rod said maybe they liked it more bc they went into it knowing how it would be or purposely bought tix for that play but actually one of the women even commented how she had no idea what she was going to be seeing. (Must've been another subscriber.)
Also did finally look up the Vera Stark play, and it's supposed to be a satire, both funny and poignant. I think I would've preferred that.... At least we had a good dinner beforehand at a new restaurant, First to Market. :o)