Excited to hear last night from a cast member that a South Korean production of Phantom of the Opera was open for business this week. In the meantime, our far less disciplined society argues and fumbles through the pandemic. Here are three more entries into my series of Seclusion Smörgåsbord streaming theater viewing.
Old Love Letters (Metropolitan Playhouse)
On Saturday evenings, Off-Off Broadway’s Metropolitan Playhouse streams online readings live. Old Love Letters is short one act comedy by Bronson Howard from 1878. In this cute relic, the charm of youthful courtship amidst the strain of Victorian societal mores is considered with the passage of time.
Mrs. Florence Brownlee is rereading old love letters “like faded rose leaves in a book” before casually tossing them into a fire. She has been recently widowed at age 32. A former suitor, Edward Warburton’s wife died four years ago and he is now forty years old. “Even the warm skies of southern Italy failed to restore her.” He is reading old love letters from Florence which were never destroyed despite his marriage to another. “It isn’t wicked for me to keep them now.”
Edward apparently tied the letters together and planned to return them after they had quarreled. He tells her “a hot headed young girl who imagines herself in love is a formidable creature.” She was nineteen at the time they parted ways. The play is structured to allow both to consider life’s choices from the perspective of wisdom and time. The actor’s performances and backgrounds selected were fun and nicely invoked this era. The timing for the vocal and video streaming was off slightly. When I stopped looking and just listened, I felt back on solid ground.
The Metropolitan Playhouse will host a double feature next Saturday, May 2 at 8:00 pm est with Fourteen by Alice Gerstenberg and Criss Cross by Rachel Crothers.
Take Me to the World – A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration
This “live” concert event was scheduled as a birthday tribute and a fundraiser for ASTEP (Artists Trying to End Poverty). Those who endured the hilarious what-could-go-wrong-and-did horrors as the live stream failed magnificently were treated to a broadly diverse selection of Mr. Sondheim’s tunes. These performances were all taped and the quality of the sound and video was very high.
My favorites in order of appearance. Neil Patrick Harris (with kids) singing “The Witch’s Rap” from Into the Woods. Judy Kuhn’s knock me off my chair rendition of “What Can You Lose?” from the Dick Tracy movie. Katrina Lenk’s mesmerizing and plaintive vocalization of “Johanna” from Sweeney Todd, accompanying herself on guitar. Melissa Errico’s breathtaking “Children and Art” from Sunday in the Park With George. Elizabeth Stanley’s superlative version of “The Miller’s Son” from A Little Night Music. Michael Cerveris lamenting at his window with a pensive “Finishing the Hat.”
The memorable four person interplay of the great “Someone in a Tree” from Pacific Overtures. Duos and group numbers were amazingly effective notably from Meryl Streep, Audra McDonald and Christine Baranski. All three in white robes drinking heavily to an inspired “The Ladies Who Lunch” from Company. And, finally, Annaleigh Ashford and Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Move On” duet. I saw them perform George and Dot at City Center and on Broadway. This version was as moving and Mrs. Ashford supplied the most gorgeous sounding vocal of the evening.
Of course, the musically political star of the internet and this pandemic, Randy Rainbow, made us laugh as Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd singing, “By the Sea.” This concert ended with many performers busting in to sing segments of the show stopper “I’m Still Here” from Company. I find this hard to believe but it’s true. Iain Armitage from television’s Young Sheldon won that battle (and his clip earlier in the show was utterly charming). That’s a lot of high points. The rest of the show was also very good. A heartwarming celebration of this great composer and the theater community which adores him and his work.
Donations can be made to ASTEP through their Facebook page. The concert is still streaming on You Tube.
Chimpanzee (HERE Arts Center)
A taped performance of Nick Lehane’s intensely emotional and wordless puppet play Chimpanzee was streamed by HERE Arts Center as part of its Wednesday evening HERE at HOME series. Mr. Lehane also designed the incredible puppet and directed the piece. This play seemed to have been written after a very sad trip to the zoo. The empathy generated is staggering.
A chimpanzee is trapped in a cage and pacing. Could it be a science lab? Through a series of time altering vignettes, glimpses of her life are shared. Memories of living with a family quickly fade to the horrors and boredom of captivity. The three puppeteers manage to develop so much personality through movement. The lighting is exceptional. A heartbreaking and creatively staged piece of theater, Chimpanzee is astonishing to behold.
I was reminded of a great book I read on this subject, The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary, about a home for them after science no longer needs their bodies. This highly recommended play is available for viewing as a video on their Facebook page.