This blog is not about theater critique, it’s about process.\u00a0 But in the discovery of what works and what doesn’t, sooner or later it will become necessary to render an opinion about a play.<\/p>\n
I had it my head to go see “Escape From Happiness<\/a>” at the Ooley Theater<\/a> in Midtown.\u00a0 I went because the Ooley is small, I’d never been there so thought I should check it out, and I was familiar with some of the cast.\u00a0 Plus it was opening night and I wanted to have some bragging rights on having been at opening night.\u00a0 It was sold out, but I went anyway and got a cancellation ticket.\u00a0 I was front row, which put me about 10 feet away from the actors.<\/p>\n One of the things I really enjoy about theater is the unexpected enjoyment of watching a play that works really well.\u00a0 I don’t have a long history of going to plays, but it does seem to me that theater has a lot of risk for both audience and actors (and no doubt for those behind the scenes).\u00a0 Just like the high wire act at the circus, or inside the cage with the big cats, it’s live, and anything can happen.\u00a0 Laughter, embarrassment, scorn, elation, inspiration — on both sides of the stage.\u00a0 You just never know.<\/p>\n “Escape From Happiness” works really well.\u00a0 I would compare it to a really good wine — complex, very balanced, opens up as the evening progresses.\u00a0 Lots of depth, and accessible on a number of different levels.\u00a0 And a great finish.<\/p>\n The thing that struck me was that it’s a 3 hour experience.\u00a0 The play is 2 1\/2 hours almost, plus the opening introductions and intermission and total time is about 3 hours.\u00a0 But it didn’t seem long; I don’t think anybody’s patience was worn out.\u00a0 The lesson here for me is “length” is relative; the dialog, plot and action either support the length of the play, or not.<\/p>\n The play is very intense; funny, but intense.\u00a0 The actors did a great job with some very demanding roles.\u00a0 Pathos and comedy, truth and consequences, responsibility and deception, all right there.\u00a0 Great playwriting, and a dedicated group of people.<\/p>\n The program notes quote the playwright (George F. Walker<\/a>), who said (essentially) that he writes as a way of coping with the world around him.\u00a0 Indeed.<\/p>\n Well that’s it for now.\u00a0 Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day.<\/p>\n [See also Escape From Happiness Part II: Elements of the Play<\/a>]<\/p>\n