Went to the opening of "It's All True" at TimeLine. The production was quite powerful, and the actor playing Orson Welles had a vocal control and power that was moving and appropriate. The script, however, is not my favorite--a little contrived, etc. They're also doing concert readings of "Cradle Will Rock" on Sundays through the run of the show--my boyfriend is stage managing--which is a definite plus.

The script also uses to many silly devices--dead wives in haunting light circling, for example, which I could have done without. And I would have appreciated either acknowledging Jean Rosenthal as a historic figure or removing her entirely superfluous character. Not entirely superfluous, I suppose, as they do need her to deliver lines like "I found us a piano" and "I think the actors need a break", but she's mostly wallpaper, no hint that the character will become one of the first true lighting designers, ultimately credited with about 300 shows. All that, and she died in her 50's. But anyway, that is outside the context of the script, which is set before her first credited design, so it seems silly to give her a name, make sly in-joke references to her skills, and then at the end say "jean does nothing but give" when she has never been an important part of the play.

I always feel for the techies.

My thoughts about the show aside, we sat surrounded by critics, none of whom laughed at the jokes. I felt kind of alone when I nearly busted a gut when Orson Welles told John Houseman "whatever you do Jack, never act!". The wife of a friend confessed that she'd felt very lonely laughing at that very line. She's an actor, so maybe that helped.

During the post show party my least-favorite critic in Chicagoland (he'll remain nameless for the moment) insisted on going up to everyone involved with the show and telling them that he was a distant relation of Marc Blitzstein. Not just bringing it up in conversation about the show--self serving, but forgivable--but rather walking up to people and interrupting them to add his "one more footnote for the production".

That aside, I find it really exciting to see shows at TimeLine. They're always at the very least solid productions, at the best--like "Hannah and Martin" (which they are remounting next season)--almost brilliant. I think they are the only theater company in Chicago that has not subjected me to a bad production. I should amend that, they're the only theater I attend regularly that has never subjected me to a bad production. Not to say they haven't had them, I just haven't had to sit through them.

I was in a meeting at work yesterday from 10am until almost 6pm. Therefore I keep thinking it's Saturday, and then remember that it isn't and feel sad.

Happy 6th anniversary to my mom and stepdad!
- posted by Heidi @ 5:32 PM