Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Hey, Bill Shakespeare...Huh?
Everybody talks about the weather. Even Shakespeare. For example, in Twelfth Night, the jester keeps singing "For the rain, it raineth everyday." I may start wearing a multi-pointed hat with bells during my forecast. Let's face it. The jump from court jester to TV weatherman is a pretty short hop. Actually, I'm feeling like a bowl of yogurt...all cultured and everything...since watching that very play, Twelfth Night, this past Sunday at KU in Lawrence.
Our oldest son, Alex, played the part of Fabian. When I first heard, I was very excited. I'd always enjoyed Fabian back on American Bandstand. However, when I asked my son who was playing the part of Dick Clark, Alex set me straight. The basic storyline has to do with mistaken identity. A girl dresses like a boy. A boy dresses like a girl. Everyone gets confused. Late in the play, Mr. Furley comes in and starts to flirt with Viola or Sebastian or, maybe, Jack Tripper.
To say the least, I was confused. Let me make clear that my bewilderment had nothing to do with the performances. All the actors and actresses were great. My haziness was connected to my laziness. An attitude of lassitude. I had a terrific Shakespeare professor in college. Rich DuRocher. He was great about showing how contemporary Shakespeare really is. If Professor DuRocher had been seated next to me in the theatre, I may have been able to follow the plot. Of course, he probably would have asked me where that last paper was.
Meanwhile, back on stage, there was that guy named Sebastian. Now, when I hear the name Sebastian, I start looking around for Buffy, Jody and Uncle Bill. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that this Sebastian was NOT Sebastian Cabot! Also, back in 1601 when William first wrote this thing, it was set in a place called Illyria. I remember that distinctly because I'm sure we had a story about it on FirstNews. Anyway, this version was set in New Orleans in 1910. When I asked why, my son pointed me to a headline in the Onion Newspaper: Unconventional Director Set Shakespeare Play in Time, Place Shakespeare Intended. Hey! It's okay to be creative in your choices. That's how my wife's family continues to explain her willingness to marry me.
Spring Break is right around the corner and Alex promises to explain it all to me when he comes home. In the meantime, he pointed me to one particular line in the play that, he said, reminded him of me: "Stealing and giving odour!" He insists it is a compliment.
Our oldest son, Alex, played the part of Fabian. When I first heard, I was very excited. I'd always enjoyed Fabian back on American Bandstand. However, when I asked my son who was playing the part of Dick Clark, Alex set me straight. The basic storyline has to do with mistaken identity. A girl dresses like a boy. A boy dresses like a girl. Everyone gets confused. Late in the play, Mr. Furley comes in and starts to flirt with Viola or Sebastian or, maybe, Jack Tripper.
To say the least, I was confused. Let me make clear that my bewilderment had nothing to do with the performances. All the actors and actresses were great. My haziness was connected to my laziness. An attitude of lassitude. I had a terrific Shakespeare professor in college. Rich DuRocher. He was great about showing how contemporary Shakespeare really is. If Professor DuRocher had been seated next to me in the theatre, I may have been able to follow the plot. Of course, he probably would have asked me where that last paper was.
Meanwhile, back on stage, there was that guy named Sebastian. Now, when I hear the name Sebastian, I start looking around for Buffy, Jody and Uncle Bill. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that this Sebastian was NOT Sebastian Cabot! Also, back in 1601 when William first wrote this thing, it was set in a place called Illyria. I remember that distinctly because I'm sure we had a story about it on FirstNews. Anyway, this version was set in New Orleans in 1910. When I asked why, my son pointed me to a headline in the Onion Newspaper: Unconventional Director Set Shakespeare Play in Time, Place Shakespeare Intended. Hey! It's okay to be creative in your choices. That's how my wife's family continues to explain her willingness to marry me.
Spring Break is right around the corner and Alex promises to explain it all to me when he comes home. In the meantime, he pointed me to one particular line in the play that, he said, reminded him of me: "Stealing and giving odour!" He insists it is a compliment.
Posted at 4:08 AM
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