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Monsieur Chopin
Jun. 24th, 2006 01:46 pmI went to see Monsieur Chopin at the ART, with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
fleurdelis28 and lynnoxford. Monsieur Chopin is a one-man show about, of course, Frederic Chopin's life. The playwright/actor, Hershey Felder is clearly as much musician and music scholar as he is actor and playwright. According to the playbill, the play appears to be directed by the same guy who directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Given my general lack of interest in Chopin, I wasn't sure what to expect. But it was brilliant. The use of Chopin's music within the play was like nothing I've ever seen. It wasn't just incidental music: it was the center of the play. It was used as speech, in such a way that I felt I had some understanding of the language.
The downside of the play is that Felder is not quite as good an actor as he is at everything else. He makes a charming low-key Chopin.fleurdelis28 points out that the music history lecture, which Felder could not quite resist tacking on at the end of the play, contains some wonderful acting. (The music history lecture is also highy enjoyable in its own right. Seriously, I want to take classes with this guy.) His Emo Chopin invariably comes off as being a little stagey. It's a minor flaw, considering how much Felder does well. Also, I think that the things Felder does well are rare enough that the trade-off is worthwhile.
If you actively dislike classical music, don't go see it. Otherwise, I would recommend it. I'm certainly planning on seeing the prequel/"first movement" (Beethoven, premiering at some point this season) or sequel/"third movement" (George Gershwin Alone, which as been out for some time) if possible. I think I've lost my chance at Gershwin, at this point, but I imagine Beethoven is a possibility.
It runs until July 30th at the ART. Just, you know, in case you're wondering.
In other words, the promotional tickets did their job.
fleurdelis28 and lynnoxford. Monsieur Chopin is a one-man show about, of course, Frederic Chopin's life. The playwright/actor, Hershey Felder is clearly as much musician and music scholar as he is actor and playwright. According to the playbill, the play appears to be directed by the same guy who directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding.Given my general lack of interest in Chopin, I wasn't sure what to expect. But it was brilliant. The use of Chopin's music within the play was like nothing I've ever seen. It wasn't just incidental music: it was the center of the play. It was used as speech, in such a way that I felt I had some understanding of the language.
The downside of the play is that Felder is not quite as good an actor as he is at everything else. He makes a charming low-key Chopin.
fleurdelis28 points out that the music history lecture, which Felder could not quite resist tacking on at the end of the play, contains some wonderful acting. (The music history lecture is also highy enjoyable in its own right. Seriously, I want to take classes with this guy.) His Emo Chopin invariably comes off as being a little stagey. It's a minor flaw, considering how much Felder does well. Also, I think that the things Felder does well are rare enough that the trade-off is worthwhile.If you actively dislike classical music, don't go see it. Otherwise, I would recommend it. I'm certainly planning on seeing the prequel/"first movement" (Beethoven, premiering at some point this season) or sequel/"third movement" (George Gershwin Alone, which as been out for some time) if possible. I think I've lost my chance at Gershwin, at this point, but I imagine Beethoven is a possibility.
It runs until July 30th at the ART. Just, you know, in case you're wondering.
In other words, the promotional tickets did their job.
