An American in Paris

I wanted to like An American in Paris.  But I didn't.   I haven't seen the movie, so I came in to it with a fresh set of eyes.   I love George Gershwin's music.   This show was a great disappointment to me.

There are three Americans in this show, and I only liked the female, Ms. Davenport, the secondary love interest.   The two guys were former soldiers who decided to live in Paris after World War 2, as an artist and musician.  They fall in love with a French girl, who is poorly developed as a character but a fantastic ballet dancer.  She is already in a relationship with another guy, so we have this love triangle going on from the beginning.

I found the Americans' inability to say no to the pursuit of a relationship a real turnoff.   The staging, costumes, ballet, and projections are all wonderful.  The plot and relationships leave something to be desired.   If I was to produce this show, I'd make it a straight out ballet and cut all of the dialogue.

Really Really

Just got back from the regional premier of Really Really at the Beck Center.   That was some heavy material.   College, rape, money, privilege, and what is the truth.   It pains me to see people use whatever means necessary to get what they want.  There is a lot of selfishness in this play.  It also bothers me that this play reinforces the sterotype that of poor people lying and cheating to get ahead.   It's not happy, but it makes you think.