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I want one!

Freud's Last Session - Philadelphia

A few months ago, I started making plans to visit the East Coast and look at some colleges. I wanted to get a feel for surrounding culture as well, to see if it's a place I'd like to live for four years. I did a little research and found Arden Theater in Philadelphia. As it happened, they were playing "Freud's Last Session", a new play about an imagined meeting between C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud. I don't know how interesting that sounds to you, but I was hooked! I've read many of Lewis's books and was introduced to Freud's works in school. I'm afraid I wasn't terribly impressed with the latter, but the idea of putting the two of them in the same room was intriguing.

I saw the play on the evening of my birthday and thought it was brilliant! Here are some fears I had going into it and how it actually turned out:

1. Boring- When I heard that "Freud's Last Session" was a play with two characters who sit talking to each other for over an hour with no set changes or dramatic plot points I was a little nervous. It could have easily been boring. Luckily, the casting of both men was excellent, and the script was clever, funny, and engaging. Freud's study was a lovely set lined with bookshelves, cabinets of odd bits and ends lent by a local museum, and of course the famous sofa. There was a small balcony in one corner that let in a lot of what seemed to be natural sunlight. Freud and Lewis did spend most of the time talking, but there were a few interesting interruptions. The play took place the day WWII started, and Freud often turned on the radio to hear reports. I even recognized part of George VI's declaration of war (featured in "The King's Speech"). More disturbingly, Freud had a few coughing fits brought on by his oral cancer (which killed him shortly after in real life) that caused his mouth to bleed. The whole play only ran about an hour and a half, so helped things stay fresh as well.
2. Christian Bashing- Occasionally I get the feeling from a TV show or movie that Christianity is politically incorrect. I would be a little surprised if this show was done in Portland. I was very happy with the respect this playwright showed each man. While they reached polar opposite conclusions, both Lewis' and Freud's analysis of human nature are marked by the careful logic both employed. Both sides of the argument were fairly represented and neither was portrayed as an ignorant fool.
3. Freud- As I said, I didn't love studying Freud in English class last year. Some of his ideas made sense but others seemed perverse and twisted to me. This adaptation allowed me to sympathize with Freud to some degree. His suffering from the cancer, escape from Austria, sense of humor, and love for his daughter helped me gain a new perspective on his views.

As You Like It (Librivox Recording)

"As You Like It" is finished! 

I read "Amiens", a follower of the banished Duke Senior who sings a lot. I made up my own melodies for the songs. I helped my Dad record the role of the usurper "Duke Frederick" so listen out for him as well!

Under the greenwood tree Who loves to lie with me, 
And turn his merry note 
Unto the sweet bird's throat, 
Come hither, come hither, come hither: 
Here shall he see No enemy 
But winter and rough weather. -Act 2, Scene V As You Like It

Othello

Last Saturday I saw Northwest Classical Theatre Company's Othello! I was actually quite lucky to get a seat because the play sold out before opening day. It got a lot of publicity thanks to visiting director Bill Alexander, who has had a long career at the Royal Shakespeare Company and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He did an amazing job! For those of you who have not been to Portland's shoebox theater, the name says it all. It seats 30-40 people cozily. Being used to the theaters in Ashland or the Armory downtown, the size threw me off when I first visited to see last years production of "Hamlet". I got used to it really fast, and now the small, intense atmosphere is one of my favorite aspects of NWCTC's shows. I think the tragedies work especially well when seen up close. No matter where you sit, you feel a part of the action.

So, how was Othello?

This was the first time I've seen Othello, and I've long been anxious to cross it off the list. I don't have anything to compare this production to, but I thought it was fantastic. I'll break down my thoughts on a few characters:

Othello: Wrick Jones was very regal as Othello. He has a wonderfully rich voice that sounded beautiful with Shakespeare's words. One thing I love about Othello is his gift of storytelling. It is a talent I especially admire. When charged with bewitching Desdemona, he defends himself claiming that she fell in love with him while he told stories of his many adventures. Watching his happiness destroyed by Iago's careful prodding was maddening. It was like Romeo and Juliet all over again... ("Why couldn't you have waited 5 minutes!? She was about to wake up! You came so close!"). I thought Jones did particularly well conveying both heartbreak and anger in his last moments with Desdemona.

              Fun Fact: Wrick Jones was a Portland Streetcar Driver in "Grimm"!

Iago: I realized after I saw the play that I had seen the actor who played Iago, Michael Mendelson, before in last year's "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol" at Artist's Repertory Theatre. He was a great Sherlock/Scrooge and an amazing Iago. "Othello" seems to be Iago's story as much as Othello's. From the first few lines of the show, he orchestrates the plot, easily manipulating everyone around him. In this production, Iago has a "thinking chair" in the audience where he goes to deliver his little aside speeches. This was very funny, and made watching Iago's thought process as he schemes the ruin of his friend all the more fascinating.

Desdemona: I'd seen Melissa Whitney, who played Desdemona, before in "Much Ado About Nothing" earlier this year. She was sincere, dignified and graceful as Desdemona. It was annoying to see Othello mistrust his obviously faithful wife! Well, I suppose it is a tragedy. When she used her last breath to forgive her husband I almost cried ( I never cry at plays, so almost crying is about as sad as it gets for me!).

Emilia: Emilia might have been my favorite character. Dana Millican seemed very down to earth amidst the swirling drama and intense emotion. Not that she doesn't get intense too. Her performance in the last scene as she realized her part in her friend Desdemona's death gave me chills . Her relationship with her husband Iago was interesting to watch as well.

Cassio: Tom Walton, who I'm pretty sure played Laertes in last year's "Hamlet", made Cassio a very three dimensional character. Having never seen the play acted before, I had thought Cassio would simply be a plot device or pawn Iago uses to incite Othello's jealousy. Instead, Cassio turned out to be a very interesting character who is noble and good, but struggles with flaws and temptations. Walton's speech about reputation was my favorite in the play.

So there you have it! The rest of the cast gave excellent strong performances as well but I decided to only cover the major characters. This was my favorite play at the shoebox so far! Unfortunately it's too late to get tickets, but "Pericles" will start up in mid November so don't miss it!

Click here to check out this year's season at NWCTC!

Frankenstein is Finished!

The librivox dramatic reading of "Frankenstein" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is ready to listen to! One of the things I love most about librivox is cross gender casting. I got to play Henry Clerval, Victor's childhood friend. And yes, I end up being killed by the creature.

Henry Clerval is optimistic and deeply empathetic. He sympathizes with Victor's losses, nurses him back to health, and travels with him through England and Scotland. Henry becomes very important to Victor as an intelligent companion that can both understand his pain and counter it with cheerfulness. Even so, he can't bring himself to share the terrible secret of his creation with his friend. The creature has demanded that Victor mend the wrong he did him in condemning him to a lonely life. He must create a companion for him. Reluctantly, Victor leaves Henry to set up his laboratory on a deserted island. He cannot complete the task however, causing the enraged monster to swear revenge. Victor dumps the remains in the sea, becoming lost in the process. When he wakes up, he is in a small town and suspected for the murder of a man whose body was found around the same time. Victor is brought to the body and to his horror, he sees that it is his friend, yet another victim of his own personal demon. 

While it isn't a huge part, I had a lot of fun being in this project! I first read Frankenstein last year and was fascinated by it. If you haven't read it, seize your chance!

And now some links!

Want to brush up on the story line? 

Here is a video briefly summarizing Frankenstein. 

The new dramatic recording in which I play Henry Clerval! You can listen to chapters online, download a zip file of the entire book, or subscribe to it as a podcast on iTunes.

Frankenstein (Dramatic Recording)

Or, if dramatic readings aren't your thing, try this lovely solo recording by volunteer Cori Samuels!

Frankenstein (Solo Recording)

PS- Keep an eye out for my dad's brief appearance as "The Officer" in chapter 8!

Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott

I just read this for school and really liked it. Here is the review I wrote on goodreads and a link to a great librivox recording of it by Elizabeth Klett.

The wealthy Coventry family hires a captivating young governess named Jean Muir. Talented, witty, passionate and wise, one by one they fall under her spell. However, readers soon discover that Jean is not all that she seems. Will the Coventrys discover the truth before it is too late?

"Behind a Mask" is supposed to be a thriller, but to me it felt like a Bronte novel (which is to say, possibly thrilling to the average ninteenth century Catherine Morland type). I actually liked it quite a lot more than "Little Women", the book for which Louisa May Alcott is best known. It was exciting, and almost as enticing as it's heroine. And what a character! I don't know whether to think about her with repulsion or awe...or both. It's a short book, and I'd especially suggest it to Alcott, Bronte, or even Austen fans looking for a darker version of the classic poor-but-brilliant governess tale.

Behind a Mask on librivox

 

Hamlet

Hamlet is finished! I read Rosencrantz this time. This is an interesting version because many of the major roles are read by women...including Hamlet and Claudius!

http://librivox.org/hamlet-version-3-by-william-shakespeare/

August in Pictures

Besides studying Russian, I've done a good deal of exploring this month. There are often concerts and festivals at the various parks downtown. This week, for example, Oregon Ballet Theater are rehearsing at director park (around 9th and Taylor) instead of in their studio. I've never particularly enjoyed ballet before (much to my mother's dismay) and insisted on quitting lessons when I was ten. But as I've been trying to become familiar with Russian culture and art, it's been hard to avoid. Here are a few pictures I've taken around downtown the past few weeks.

Roosevelt!

Down 10th Ave.

It's Black Eyed Susan Season!

Park Blocks at Sunset

Food Cart Lunch

Concert in the Park

My Sanctuary :)

Now doesn't that look fun?

What I'm Recording: 

• I'm starting my first solo recording! I will read George MacDonald's "At the Back of the North Wind". I've never read it, but it was my mother's favorite book as a child and I have been wanting to read more George MacDonald. I haven't even started recording yet, but I will try to post a chapter in the coming weeks! Hopefully it will be done by next Mother's Day!

• I've also taken on a few short stories and poems in an old children's book called "Up One Pair of Stairs in my Bookshelf". Some are by familiar authors, while others are adapted from folk and fairy tales.

Preview of Emma

Emma won't be finished for a while yet, but the first chapter is ready to listen to!

Click here to listen to chapter 1 in which... 

Emma Woodhouse is introduced ("handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition...")...

Emma looses her governess/friend to matrimony...

Emma's father gets nervous...

Mr. Knightly cheers them up... 

And Emma plots to find a wife for Mr. Elton!

Disclaimer: These images are from the newest miniseries adaptation of Emma, but don't worry, I have nothing against Gwyneth Paltrow.

Hooray for Bronte!

Two new Bronte novels and a few other projects are now available to download on librivox!

Anne, Emily, and Charlotte Bronte. Their brother, Branwell, painted himself
out of the picture, accounting for that awkward pole. 

Click below to listen to...

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

and 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Charlotte Bronte

But wait! There's more! "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights" are on their way! These are by far the most popular works of the Bronte sisters. I have minor roles in each. My dad got a small but really cool part in Jane Eyre. He's the guy that stops Jane's wedding to announce that the groom, Mr. Rochester, is already married to a mad woman in the attic. *gasp!* 

Speaking of Jane Eyre, we are missing a Mr. Rochester! Are you a wannabe actor who loves literature? Join librivox! Mr. Rochester is one of the most popular heroes of Victorian literature and a really great catch of a part. 

Where's Mr. Rochester?

And a few other newly completed projects:

The Brown Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Part of a series of popular children's fables. I read "The Lion and the Cat". Kind of a strange story...

The Duchess of Padua by Oscar Wilde. I have a couple lines in here somewhere...

Shakespearean Dialogues II I play Hero this time in my favorite Shakespeare comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing". Beatrice would have been my first choice. Maybe next time!

Tartuffe  by Moliere. Your typical hilarious Moliere commedia dell'arte. I play the police officer that busts the bad guy!

Sense and Sensibility

A dramatic recording of "Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen is now ready to download! Unfortunately, this project was started before I signed up for Librivox. I don't have a part, but many other wonderful readers do! Sense and Sensibility was Austen's first published novel. It tells the story of the Dashwood family: a mother and three daughters who are suddenly impoverished by the death of their father. Their beloved country estate is entailed and they are forced to move into a small cottage far away from anything they have ever known. Practical Elinor makes the best of the situation, while her romantic sister Marianne pines for adventure. In true Austen fashion, there is a host of delightful and funny characters. If you've never read an Austen novel before, I've always thought Sense and Sensibility would a good place to start. To listen, click on the link below. You can listen to individual chapters online, download a file of the whole book, or subscribe to it as a podcast on iTunes. If you do listen to it and enjoy it, Librivox has dramatic recordings of "Mansfield Park" and "Pride and Prejudice" as well. And of course I have a part in the upcoming "Emma", so keep an eye out for that too!

Sense and Sensibility

Original Practice Shakespeare

Because this is my first full summer living downtown (last year I was in Thailand) I am making an effort to find fun, free/cheap things to do to keep myself busy. With this in mind,  I decided to check out an acting company called Original Practice Shakespeare. It was the most unusual and surprising experience I've had seeing a Shakespeare play. The actors learn 2-3 parts in the play, but don't know which one they will perform until the morning of the show. They carry small scrolls with only their lines and prompts in an attempt to replicate the experience of actors in Shakespeare's time, when lax copyright laws made it dangerous to give out full scripts. The actors were somewhat memorized, but would sometimes call out for  line from the "referee" sitting to the side. Now this could have been excruciatingly awkward and slow, but they pulled it off! These small interruptions were brisk, and enhanced the humor. The show I saw ("As You Like It" in Washington Park) was zany and engaging. It was easy to tell the actors were having a blast. The plays are held in various public parks around Portland, and sets and costumes are simple. Best of all...it's free! This year they will perform "As You Like It", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Much Ado About Nothing", "Romeo and Juliet" and "Twelfth Night". Click here for a schedule. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on, perhaps a picnic, and enjoy the show!

The Rose Garden

What I'm Recording: I just signed up to play Rosencrantz in Hamlet! I have always been very inspired by Hamlet since I first saw it in Ashland when I was 15. I'm so happy to have a part in it!

Now that we've finally had some decent weather here in Portland Oregon, my parents and I went on a picnic to the lovely rose gardens in Washington Park!

Alaska

What I'm Recording: I got a role in a murder mystery called "The Film of Fear"! I haven't read it, but I'm playing a Hollywood actress that is threatened by a mysterious stalker I believe. More news to follow. 

Meanwhile...

My mother and I went to Alaska a few weekends ago for a job (long boring story...). While I found it very beautiful, there wasn't much to do. In our free time, we explored the area around Anchorage.

Mom and Smokey

Moose Caution Sign

An artsy dead tree with a glacier in the background.

I kissed a moose

See that?? It's a moose! And a baby!

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" is Complete!

I am very happy to announce that "Hound of the Baskervilles" is ready to download! I have a pitifully small part as a driver of sorts, but it's such a good book I was just happy to get a part. Pull on your trench coat and sink into this mystery on the moor!

Listen online or download here:
http://librivox.org/the-hound-of-the-baskervilles-dramatic-reading-by-sir-arthur-conan-doyle/

What I'm Recording: 
I've finally gotten started on Heidi, but that's still a long way from done.In the meantime I signed up for a few small parts in "Twelfth Night", a scene from "Much Ado About Nothing", "Edward III" (both by Shakespeare), and "Jane Eyre".

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, so I'm especially excited there will be a dramatic recording. I will be playing the eponymous Jane's cousin, Mary Rivers. A great group of volunteers have already lined up and it's looking like it will turn out to be a superb project.

Shakespeare

The Shakespeare Dialogue collection is done! I have parts in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Hamlet", and "Twelfth Night". Twelfth Night is my favorite! To download or listen on line, click here http://librivox.org/shakespearean-dialogues-collection-001-by-wiliam-shakespeare/.

What I'm Recording: Aside from narrating Heidi, I have parts to read in new dramatic recordings of Frankenstein and Emma! These are both excellent book and favorites of mine. In Frankenstein, I will play the protagonist's friend and creature's victim, Henry Clerval. In Emma, I have my first really nasty character, Mrs. Elton!

Mrs. Elton in my favorite adaptation of Emma (2009).

New Project

"Manfred" is ready to download! In case you've missed earlier posts, Manfred is a dramatic poem by Lord Byron around 1816. It reminded me a bit of Doctor Faustus as far as themes go. I just have a small part, but I've always wanted to do a Byron project.

Here is the synopsis from librivox

Manfred is a dramatic poem in three acts by Lord Byron, and possibly a self confessional work. A noble, Manfred, is haunted by the memory of some unspeakable crime. In seeking for forgetfulness and oblivion, he wanders between his castle and the mountains. He has several encounters with the people who try to assist him, as well as spirits that rule nature and human destiny. The poem explores themes of morality, religion, guilt and the human condition. 

Here's the link!
http://librivox.org/manfred-by-george-gordon-lord-byron/

And since it's past Mother's Day...I can announce my next very big project! I'll be narrating Heidi! Librivox is doing it as a dramatic recording, so other volunteers will read the parts of all the characters. My dad has a part as well! I watched the movie version of Heidi over and over when I was a kid; it was one of my mom's favorites. This will be a long project, but I'm very excited about it!

King Henry IV part 1 trailer

A few friends and I made this video for our Shakespeare class. We just finished "King Henry IV part 1" and had to make a mock trailer for it. Enjoy!

Major Barbara

Librivox's "Major Barbara" is complete! In case you missed earlier information, Major Barbara is a play by George Bernard Shaw (who also wrote Pygmalion). It is about a strong, unconventional young woman from an aristocratic family working for the Salvation Army. Her beliefs are challenged when her estranged father returns a millionaire from making weapons to stir up trouble. I play Jenny Hill, a volunteer at the Salvation Army. My dad got a part too! He plays Peter Shirley, an unemployed man who Jenny and Barbara help.

Click here to listen to Major Barbara online or download it. I think Dad and I show up sometime around act 2.

I saw the 1941 movie adaptation with my parents before recording. It was a little bizarre and the ending threw me off. Anyway here are some pictures...

Coldplay

I've signed up for a few new librivox projects! One is a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, and I took another part that opened up in "A Little Princess" as well. It's Lottie, so if you want to hear me throw a tantrum in a British little girl voice stay tuned!

Meanwhile...

Coldplay came to Portland! They were amazing live. I even stood 12 feet away from the lead singer Chris Martin at one point (aka Gwyneth Paltrow's husband!), and he definitely saw me waving! :)

Everyone's probably seen this music video by now, but just in case...

"The Scientist" by Coldplay

Fun Fact: Because the entire music video is in reverse narrative, Chris Martin had to memorize the lyrics backwards! It took him a month.

Portland Center Stage's "Anna Karenina"

"The classic novel. The timeless love story. In a world of power and privilege, one woman dared to obey her heart"
-from the 1997 film version's publicity poster

Well, I'm not sure what 864 page Russian novel they were reading, but I can practically hear the sound of the dust that used to be Leo Tolstoy's eyeballs rolling around in his decaying skull. Anna Karenina was not intended to be a love story. There's love in it of course, and of many kinds, but I believe the subject that Tolstoy was most interested in as he wrote his masterpiece was the corrosive nature of sin and its effect on the human mind. So, what did I think of Portland Center Stage's ambitious adaptation? Read on.

Aside from the fact that Anna looks like a pirate geisha in this poster, it was a great show. I wouldn't say perfect, but then again if anyone ever claims that a three hour play is as good as the novel they're lying. To be honest, I expected to be a lot less satisfied than I was. I suppose this is because I've been disappointed in every film or TV adaptation I've seen before. They always make the same two fatal flaws. Firstly, they make Karenin more cruel and repulsive than he is and Vronsky more attractive than he is to make Anna's decision seem more justifiable. Secondly, they minimize if not almost eliminate Levin's story line, which in the novel (News Flash!) takes up  about half of the book! Anna and Levin are co-protagonists, and while his story line is less of a roller coaster, I find it equally moving in it's own way and certainly not to be overlooked.

Portland Center Stage managed to avoid these two pet peeves of mine almost entirely. The biggest exception is that Karenin was reduced to a insufferable baffoon prone to violent outbursts. Karenin is one of the hardest characters to understand. Yes, he's cold and fastidious (hardly a suitable match for the passionate Anna) but his actions hint that he loves and needs Anna. For example, at one point, he does a complete turn around and decides to forgive Anna and start again as a family, including raising her newborn daughter as his own. This is Anna's last chance to give it all up and return to her family...but she blows it and runs off to Italy with Vronsky instead. After her death, Karenin does end up adopting her daughter, who is of no relation to him and will probably only serve as a reminder of the whole ordeal. Is this charity? Forgiveness? Love? Who knows, but one thing is certain: There's a lot nore going on with Anna's husband than meets the eye.

So PCS botched Karenin, but they did Vronsky pretty well. Never once in show did Vronsky seem attractive. Charming and handsome, sure, but never anything else. Nor should he be. Tolstoy deliberately doesn't let the reader see in Vronky's mind the way he does with Anna, Karenin, Levin and others. This leaves a lot of circumstances up for interpretation. Was he starting to get tired of Anna at the end, or was she just paranoid? Was his love really as all consuming as hers? To be honest, I've always been a bit disappointed in Anna for doing so much for a man who is so obviously not her equal in mind or heart. This, along with the fact of Karenin and Vronsky having the same first name, leads me conclude that Anna's infatuation had more to do with dissatisfaction with her empty marriage than with attraction to Vronsky. One thing's for sure, she wasn't thinking straight.

Levin was great, although he should have been younger. I always interpret Levin as a man in his thirties. Forty tops. Having him as an older, more mature looking man casts a different light on his actions. Instead of uncertain and conflicted almost to the point of angsty, an old Levin seems more mid life crisis. That, coupled with his wife Kitty being 18, makes the whole scenario not quite fit. Oh, and they skipped his conversion to Christianity at the end (big surprise).

Two other characters that stood out were Anna's brother Stiva Oblonsky and Levin's brother Nicholas. Oblonsky's marital troubles set the plot in motion. He is charming and likable, if slightly caddish. His character could be seen as a foil for Anna's. They both have affairs. For Anna, it is a matter of life and death, for Oblonsky, a trifling matter of no concern. And yet it is Anna who is shunned by society. This difference is
pivitol, and yet there is a certain similarity as well that helps us make sense of Anna's actions through Stiva's. Despite being the more intelligent and caring of the two, Anna shares her brother's lack of a strong moral compass. Thus it is both strange and understandable that these two characters could have grown up together. Nicholas Levin isn't a very important character, but he steals every scene with his role as the deadpan snarker. Too bad he dies.

Two more things, then I promise I'm done. The pacing was seamless and kept the action going. Characters sometimes explained themselves or the situation directly to the audience. Both of these things were done well and probably necessary to keep the whole show compact and comprehensible, but I thought they detracted from the drama at times. On a better note, the stage, lighting, and costumes were a feast for the eyes. Graceful white columns, lavish gowns, silhouettes of beautiful Russian architecture in the background, and a dusky atmosphere lent the play a great deal of elegance and grandeur.

So it's a go! If the opinions of a bookish teen theater lover are anything to go by, get your tickets here and enjoy the show!