The Fever, a monologue written and realized by my beloved uncle Wallace Shawn, opened this week at the Acorn Theater in midtown Manhattan. Scott Elliott, the dramatic mastermind behind last year´s HurlyBurly, is directing the production for the New Group.
Whatever you do, do not believe the review today in the New York Times (which I will NOT link here), which includes some ridiculous drivel about the play running on too long. I have not seen the current production, but the two other times I have seen Wally do the play, they were not a second too long nor a second too short. They were perfect.
All of Wally´s plays are thought-provoking. This is one of the reasons I like them. The Fever is one of my absolute favorites. Granted, it can be difficult to accept some of the ugly thoughts and feelings that the play evokes, but that´s the point, dummy. The play addresses topics I think about constantly, including the discomfort that (relatively) rich visitors feel when travelling in (relatively) poor countries. But enough of my commentary--go see the play yourself. Wish I could be there too.
4 comments:
I already have my tickets for this friday!
Tengo ganas de irme a Nueva York para verlo. Nos gusta Wally Shawn en España tambien.
aficianada Nuria
I saw "The Fever" last weekend -- Wallace Shawn was really outstanding. Before the play began, in lieu of one of those pre-recorded announcements enumerating various prohibitions (eating, drinking, talking) and exhortations (enjoy!), he addressed the audience himself, admitting that he detests these sorts of recordings, and that he often finds himself wondering whether he should take an important call if the play he's watching isn't worth his attention. The audience's attention during the 90-minute play that followed spoke for itself – everyone was positively riveted. No one could ever accuse him of treading lightly over difficult subject matter. He engaged complex moral questions about the social/economic inequities we witness daily and the associated costs (psychological and otherwise) of maintaining the status quo, of turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to other people’s suffering. He doesn't succumb to preachy, didactic blathering, but rather probes deeply into one man's tortured psyche, stripping bare his pretensions. It was truly a remarkable theatrical performance. So yes, everyone should see "The Fever"...!
thanks for your insights anon.
There is another insightful review in the new yorker.
http://www.newyorker.com/critics/theatre/articles/070219crth_theatre_lahr
Post a Comment