Long overdue annual post
I think I missed my traditional beginning of the year post, but here's a little something to convince LJ I'm still here...
Today for the first time in a couple of weeks, we could see almost all the way to Tahoe again. The smoke from the Rim fire of course is impacting the whole region, but on top of that there's been quite the little wild fire between us and Tahoe for some time. happily, that seems to be getting under control, so far without the assistance of B's youngest, the newly-wed volunteer fire fighter, who is eager to be deployed, but is still in reserve. Maybe not such a bad idea, given the fires all around us.
There was much smoke in southern Oregon as well, when we drove up to Ashland for the second half of our season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We wedged 4 plays into 3 days to get the most out of the trip, one of which was actually Shakespearean, although I can't say "Cymbeline" represents the Bard's best work...more like a Shakespearean pastiche, with all the usual plot elements thrown together very haphazardly--lost princes in disguise even from themselves, runaway princess in drag, grouchy king learns his lesson, a finale where everyone is unmasked and all is forgiven (except for that poor peasant who was hung and the wicked stepson who lost his head).
The other three plays were premieres of various sorts. First off, "The Liquid Plain," by Naomi Wallace, a world premiere and already an award-winner: "The Liquid Plain was commissioned through OSF’s American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle and is the winner of the 2012 Horton Foote Prize for Promising New American Play." That was a knock out. That evening, we went lighter with "The Heart of Robin Hood", by way of the Royal Shakespeare Company 2011 production. Next day, "The Tenth Muse" was another dazzler, and finally "Cymbeline" was something of a duty, as I'd never seen it. Competently performed and they did their best to make it more coherent, but it's not a play one wishes to sit through more than once.
What I found most interesting in our selection was that none was set later than the 18th century (well, "The Liquid Plain" did cross over into the early 19th in act II) and all involved cross-dressing as a major plot point. I found myself wondering it that was by design, although there were plenty of other plays in this year's choices that were more contemporary and had no cross-dressing at all - we saw "Two Trains Running" and an excellent "My Fair Lady" back in March.
Not much of a review, I know, ljs, but a little something for your amusement.
Heading into the autumn craziness of multiple book fairs/comic shows and random travels. September means a comic show in Salt Lake City and on in Sacramento, a book fair in Sacramento and an actual "vacation" in Connecticut...makes me tired to think about it! Much knitting will occur in transit, rest assured!
After checking the last post (wow, so long ago) I realize that another small update is in order...last year we thought B's business would be shut down or sold by midsummer...instead, we revamped it and went internet only. Not only has the business rebounded, he's been able to rehire full or part-time 5 of his long-time employees; making payroll and even some profit (of course, neither of us is getting paid for this work, but our insurance is covered at least and B may start taking a draw again sometime soon). ::cheers faintly::
Today for the first time in a couple of weeks, we could see almost all the way to Tahoe again. The smoke from the Rim fire of course is impacting the whole region, but on top of that there's been quite the little wild fire between us and Tahoe for some time. happily, that seems to be getting under control, so far without the assistance of B's youngest, the newly-wed volunteer fire fighter, who is eager to be deployed, but is still in reserve. Maybe not such a bad idea, given the fires all around us.
There was much smoke in southern Oregon as well, when we drove up to Ashland for the second half of our season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We wedged 4 plays into 3 days to get the most out of the trip, one of which was actually Shakespearean, although I can't say "Cymbeline" represents the Bard's best work...more like a Shakespearean pastiche, with all the usual plot elements thrown together very haphazardly--lost princes in disguise even from themselves, runaway princess in drag, grouchy king learns his lesson, a finale where everyone is unmasked and all is forgiven (except for that poor peasant who was hung and the wicked stepson who lost his head).
The other three plays were premieres of various sorts. First off, "The Liquid Plain," by Naomi Wallace, a world premiere and already an award-winner: "The Liquid Plain was commissioned through OSF’s American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle and is the winner of the 2012 Horton Foote Prize for Promising New American Play." That was a knock out. That evening, we went lighter with "The Heart of Robin Hood", by way of the Royal Shakespeare Company 2011 production. Next day, "The Tenth Muse" was another dazzler, and finally "Cymbeline" was something of a duty, as I'd never seen it. Competently performed and they did their best to make it more coherent, but it's not a play one wishes to sit through more than once.
What I found most interesting in our selection was that none was set later than the 18th century (well, "The Liquid Plain" did cross over into the early 19th in act II) and all involved cross-dressing as a major plot point. I found myself wondering it that was by design, although there were plenty of other plays in this year's choices that were more contemporary and had no cross-dressing at all - we saw "Two Trains Running" and an excellent "My Fair Lady" back in March.
Not much of a review, I know, ljs, but a little something for your amusement.
Heading into the autumn craziness of multiple book fairs/comic shows and random travels. September means a comic show in Salt Lake City and on in Sacramento, a book fair in Sacramento and an actual "vacation" in Connecticut...makes me tired to think about it! Much knitting will occur in transit, rest assured!
After checking the last post (wow, so long ago) I realize that another small update is in order...last year we thought B's business would be shut down or sold by midsummer...instead, we revamped it and went internet only. Not only has the business rebounded, he's been able to rehire full or part-time 5 of his long-time employees; making payroll and even some profit (of course, neither of us is getting paid for this work, but our insurance is covered at least and B may start taking a draw again sometime soon). ::cheers faintly::