Author Archives: Christopher Arnott
“Light” Entertainment
Lovely time at the Yale Drama Series reading last night. Even with all the swearing, cat-antagonizing and murdering in Shannon Murdoch’s play, the annual event remained a most civilized affair. The series’ new judge, John Guare, was right there in the front row while Murdoch, who’d flown from Australia for the occasion, chose to sit … Continue reading
Plimoth Plantation Improvisation
How’d you spend your summer vacation? My family spent a week in Marshfield, Mass., a few weeks ahead of Hurricane Irene, when it was still idyllic and not fraught. We visited the quaint general store owned by TV/movie star and Second City veteran Steve Carrell (and managed by his sister-in-law). We also went to an … Continue reading
A Man’s a Starman
David Bowie—Starman By Paul Trynka (Little, Brown/Hachette, 2011) This is the first Bowie bio I’ve found that gives serious attention to the erstwhile David Jones’ stage- and film-acting projects alongside his musical ones. The book devotes over six pages just to the BBC’s 1981 TV adaptation of Brecht’s Baal, in which Bowie starred. It’s revealed … Continue reading
New Light Shine, new Yale Drama Series judge, new life for a previous winning entry
Tonight (Monday Sept. 12) marks the reading of the latest winner of the Yale Drama Series. The play is New Light Shine by Shannon Murdoch and is described as a drama in which “four small-town lives are linked through a violent crime.” The reading is directed by Jackson Gay, whose work I was regularly entranced … Continue reading
The Leftovers Audiobook Review
The Leftovers (Audiobook edition, read by Dennis Boutsikaris, MacMillan Audio, 2011). Given his awards, acclaim and experience, getting Dennis Boutsakiris to perform the audiobook version of your novel must be like getting Pacino or DeNiro to star in the movie version. Boutsakiris has a string of impressive acting credits, including several awards for the recent … Continue reading
Earnest Worthing
The comics sections are abuzz with Sept. 11 acknowledgements. Nice of Mary Worth to bring Oscar Wilde into hers. The quote is from Wilde’s Salome. The strip, we eagerly subscribe to via Daily Ink.
Please, No More Fabulous Flops
I know I mention BBC 4 Extra frequently, but name another 24-hour contemporary drama and comedy radio network with such variety. The 2006 series More Fabulous Flops is hosted by Paul Roseby and first aired in 2006. The fourth and last episode of the series is available online through Friday. While there’s some research and … Continue reading
The Suddenly Last Summer Review
Suddenly Last Summer By Tennessee Williams. Through Sept. 10 at Westport Country Playhouse. Directed by David Kennedy. Scenic design by Narelle Sissons. Costume design: Ilona Somogyi. Lighting design: Matthew Richards. Original music/Sound design: Fitz Patton. Performed by Liv Rooth (Catharine Holly), Annalee Jefferies (Mrs. Venable), Lee Aaron Rosen (Dr. Cukrowicz), Charlotte Maier (Mrs. Holly), Ryan … Continue reading
Happy Labor Day!
Time to reread the collected works of Hallie Flanagan, Maxine Klein and Bertolt Brecht. … while listening to the soundtracks of Pins and Needles and The Pajama Game. Other titles with which to “up the workers”: The Gut Girls by Sarah Daniels Singing Jailbirds by Upton Sinclair Beggar on Horseback by Kaufman & … Continue reading
Now: Audition Notices at NHTJ
New Haven Theater Jerk is still in its infancy, having only started in May. I’ve been looking towards the fall theater season as a chance to grow the site. Imagine my glee now that September is here. Just added a page on the masthead menu for Audition Notices, so send ‘em in already. The calendar … Continue reading