The Chalk adaptation was pitiful, wasn't it?
Anton Chekhov must be turning over in his grave.
Not only did the Chalk Reptertory Theatre company have the audacity to "adapt" one of his finest plays - 3 Sisters - but, they stupidly chose to cast a handful of amateurs in the major roles.
For starters, writer Susan Coyne lacks the talent to take on the task of rewriting Chekhov material, and this was demonstrated in full at the premiere production of February 1st.
Frankly, it was a God-awful night of low-calibre theatre, you'd be wise to pass on.
At the offset, Chalk Repertory Theatre founding members were a tad dishonest about the production, obviously, in a bold-faced effort to rustle up kudos and garner interest in their production.
For example, the publicity department boasted that the main characters would be played by Asian-American Actors, and gave the impression that this was a novel idea peculiar to their project.
In fact, other companies have followed this line of casting in the past!
Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!
You got found out, Chalk Rep.
In a lead role, actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira was confident on stage, but lacked the depthor ability to pull the classics off.
He hit his marks, was stiff on "stage", and played the part "on the surface".
At no point, did I ever catch the actor (Desperate Housewives) internalizing.
Nor did any true feelings, or insights, ever bubble up from within.
Jennifer Chang, as much as she desperately struggled to royally showcase her acting chops (see me acting, folks!) came across like an overbearing dragon-lady at times, and certainly was miscast for this challenging role whose elusive heartbeat she could not quite fathom, unfortunately for the audience who expected more.
A couple of the older actors were okay, being seasoned stage performers and all, so there were no qualms there. (Tom Kerry & Tony Amendola)
Terri Reeves was positively hideous as Natasha!
There was no pacing, or building of character - so whenever there were flat outbursts of senseless emotion( there were quite a few!) - they only caused the savvy theatre buff to cringe.
So amateurish!
Not only did the Chalk Reptertory Theatre company have the audacity to "adapt" one of his finest plays - 3 Sisters - but, they stupidly chose to cast a handful of amateurs in the major roles.
For starters, writer Susan Coyne lacks the talent to take on the task of rewriting Chekhov material, and this was demonstrated in full at the premiere production of February 1st.
Frankly, it was a God-awful night of low-calibre theatre, you'd be wise to pass on.
At the offset, Chalk Repertory Theatre founding members were a tad dishonest about the production, obviously, in a bold-faced effort to rustle up kudos and garner interest in their production.
For example, the publicity department boasted that the main characters would be played by Asian-American Actors, and gave the impression that this was a novel idea peculiar to their project.
In fact, other companies have followed this line of casting in the past!
Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!
You got found out, Chalk Rep.
In a lead role, actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira was confident on stage, but lacked the depthor ability to pull the classics off.
He hit his marks, was stiff on "stage", and played the part "on the surface".
At no point, did I ever catch the actor (Desperate Housewives) internalizing.
Nor did any true feelings, or insights, ever bubble up from within.
Jennifer Chang, as much as she desperately struggled to royally showcase her acting chops (see me acting, folks!) came across like an overbearing dragon-lady at times, and certainly was miscast for this challenging role whose elusive heartbeat she could not quite fathom, unfortunately for the audience who expected more.
A couple of the older actors were okay, being seasoned stage performers and all, so there were no qualms there. (Tom Kerry & Tony Amendola)
Terri Reeves was positively hideous as Natasha!
There was no pacing, or building of character - so whenever there were flat outbursts of senseless emotion( there were quite a few!) - they only caused the savvy theatre buff to cringe.
So amateurish!
A woman familiar with actor Cory Brill's past performanes, chided him for always using the same mannerisms and approach to a character.
Limited in talent, I guess!
Instead of a proper stage, the company chose a sort-of theatre-in-the-round approach.
On two sides of the stage (and inside of it) rows of spindly chair were stacked side-by-side uncomfortably (got-a pack 'em in, make those big bucks!) so that on occasion the actors wafted by in a theatre-goers' face.
On occasion, the audience was treated to a back and unable to hear the dialogue, as a result.
Not well-conceived, or just maybe, the Founding Mothers at Chalk Repertory Theatre have no creative vision or artistic sensibilities.
At the after party, I learned from schmoozing with the cast & crew that - for the most part - individuals involved in the production were Alumni of the University of San Diego.
Ah, that was it.
3 Sisters is a vanity production designed to showcase a San Diego student production in the "Big Bad Orange".
Thought they'd take the local theatre scene by storm, eh?
Well, it drizzled all night, ladies.
By the way, the meatballs were excellent!
Instead of a proper stage, the company chose a sort-of theatre-in-the-round approach.
On two sides of the stage (and inside of it) rows of spindly chair were stacked side-by-side uncomfortably (got-a pack 'em in, make those big bucks!) so that on occasion the actors wafted by in a theatre-goers' face.
On occasion, the audience was treated to a back and unable to hear the dialogue, as a result.
Not well-conceived, or just maybe, the Founding Mothers at Chalk Repertory Theatre have no creative vision or artistic sensibilities.
At the after party, I learned from schmoozing with the cast & crew that - for the most part - individuals involved in the production were Alumni of the University of San Diego.
Ah, that was it.
3 Sisters is a vanity production designed to showcase a San Diego student production in the "Big Bad Orange".
Thought they'd take the local theatre scene by storm, eh?
Well, it drizzled all night, ladies.
By the way, the meatballs were excellent!
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