The Road to Mecca by Athol Fugard

Last Friday I went to see Athol Fugard's play, The Road to Mecca at the Roundabout Theater. Although the cast was stellar…I have to say that the piece was over-written. The story could have unfolded without so much exposition. I was drowning in words. I held up pretty well in the first (hour-long) act, primly perched on my seat, listening to the conflicts that were unfolding for the two main characters (Miss Helen and Elsa Barlow). I was interested, invested, and following along. But once the intermission came up, I realized I didn’t quite understand the relationship between the characters until deep into the second act.

Rosemary Harris (Miss Helen) had this gorgeous monologue halfway through the second act but it went on way too long and when it was over, I thought the play was close to finished…only to learn that it would go on for another 25 minutes. It was a painful 25 minutes because the exposition continued and new information was introduced. From that point on, every five minutes, I thought the play was winding down only for more words, more story and I was overcome with an attack of the giggles. In this instance, I was really glad I was in the nosebleed seats because I couldn’t stop laughing. I kept asking out loud, “Is it over yet?” only for the actors to go into another monologue.

The acting was superb. The stage design and lighting were beautiful. I just wish some of the monologues were tighter. I think the next play I want to go see is Look Back in Anger by John Osborne. It’s been in previews this past month and it opens on Thursday night. Hmmm. We shall see.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Breakeven by The Script

I know this is not a new and shiny song. None of my favorites ever are by the time they are engraved into my psyche. Anyway, Breakeven by The Script has been on a loop all morning for me. It’s my theme song for today. It slipped under my skin and took root. Woke up with the music in my head. Listened to it while I getting ready for work. The chorus kept playing in my head on my way to work. And now I’m sitting at my desk…listening to the song yet again. I tell you, when my brain wants to gnaw on a song, it just won’t let go.

I just really like Danny O'Donoghue’s voice and when he hits those hit notes…I’m belting along…wishing I had a better voice. :-) This is also a song that makes me sway and groove in public. Standing on the subway, moving from side to side and wishing I could break out of my own skin and dance out loud.

Mark Sheehan riffing on that guitar brings me “glad-to-be-alive” kind of joy. When I get home I am going to blast out this song across the apartment. Can’t wait.

The Script came out with a new album on Wednesday called Science and Faith. May have to preview the album and see if I can find a song that can move me the way Breakeven has done today.

Rock on people, rock on.


L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Brr-isk Day

I finished a rough draft of Chapter 8 and will be bringing it in to writing group tonight. I am sitting here reminding myself that it’s all right for it to be a rough draft right now. I am aware of the glaring holes. And I have to temper myself otherwise I’ll rush in too soon to fix it and then make a bigger mess. So…I will wait. Let the new lines…the new direction of the story…gel up before I try to reconstruct them into something else. Ergh! Does any of this make sense? Gosh I hope so. Cause at this very moment, I’m finding it difficult to communicate in the written form. Perhaps I should try symbology or hieroglyphics to get my point across.

It’s a windy day in Nu Yawk Sitty but I’m a-liking it. While people are bundling themselves tighter into their wooly coats…I am walking around with a smile on my face. Windy days are great for clearing the cobwebs. The moody blues that have been weighting me down the past week have dissipated the last two days. I feel lighter and brighter. There is something about clean, crisp air that wakes me right up.

It reminds me of when I lived in Oswego. The college was right by Lake Ontario so we would get this amazing burst of cold air coursing through the campus. Yummy. I would take my red bike and pedal through town as fast as I could go. That was fun and I miss having a bicycle. Then again, I’m not sure how safe I would be riding alongside NYC traffic. Eeek! I don’t think a rinky-dink bell would save me from the likes of NY cabbies who don’t like sharing the road. Ah, I digress. That’s a conversation for another day. Anyway…that’s all I’ve got for today.

Peace,

L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.