Author Archives: Christopher Arnott
My Lips Are Sealed
Lips Together Teeth Apart opened last night at Westport Country Playhouse. The 1991 Terrence McNally vacationing-couples tragicomedy continues its Fire Island fireworks through July 30. I’ll be reviewing the production for the Fairfield County Weekly; that review will be out Wednesday. Rather than risk repeating myself here, you can tide yourself over for a few … Continue reading
The tale of Faustus’ fortunes, good or bad
Now, see, I told you Doctor Faustus was funny.
Faustus and Loose
Since Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is the greatest play ever written in the history of the world (those who disagree can go to the devil), it’s remarkable how rarely it’s done by major theaters. Now there’s a Globe Theatre production directed by Matthew Dunster, starring Paul Hilton in the title role and Arthur Darvill as … Continue reading
Where Are They Now?
A few months ago I wrote a cover story, and supplementary blog posts, for the New Haven Advocate on a couple of sassy, dressy burlesque shows at the music club Cafe Nine. (Those writings are, alas, no longer archived at the Advocate site.) Yesterday I finally made it to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not … Continue reading
Q&A, They’re The Monkees: Answers to the Monkees as Actors Quiz
The quiz is here. The answers are: 1. Oliver! 2. The Point 3. Grease 4. Pippin 5. The Prison 6. Vince Fontaine in Grease 7. Television Parts 8. The Uncle Floyd Show 9. “To Be Or Not to Be.” 10. Bugsy Malone 11. Fagin. 12. Videoranch 3D 13. Broadway Micky This also helps answer the … Continue reading
Proscenium Archie
The criticism seems rather harsh, considering that the performance brought Mr. Weatherbee to tears. And who among us wouldn’t wish to see Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper performing 19th century melodrama?
Talking About Acting
What made the Watts Prophets so different was that we were so visual. Each poem was to us a complete play and each poet contributed to that. We didn’t just stand on stage or walk back and forth… we would act it out. —Made Hamilton, co-founder of the 1960s Watts Prophets poetry collective, to Brian … Continue reading
And a Nun, and a Two…
A RARE PHOTO OF NONIE NEWTON BREEN NOT BEING A NUN. LATE NITE CATECHISM 2 PLAYS AT WHARF STAGE II JULY 13-AUGUST 21. Nonie Newton Breen has carved out a sweet little career dolling up in a habit and berating theatergoers as the nameless “Sister,” the indomitable conductor of Late Nite Catechism classes. She’s Sistered … Continue reading
Rah Rah Rattigan
BBC Radio 4 Extra is winding down its crash course on Terrence Rattigan. After airing radio renditions of some of his best-known plays, the online channel is airing a multi-part documentary about him. (Technically, it’s recitations from Michael Darlow’s biography Terrence Rattigan—The Man and His Work, but Clive Merrison’s lively reading style and amusing impersonations … Continue reading