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In the play, “The Saint of Bleeker Street,” I think it shows how deeply intertwined society and the views on religion are tied. The stigmata in the story should be a sign of close relationship with God and how the world is growing closer to Him, but as the play goes on we see that some of the characters do not believe the woman as Christly as she appears. This directly correlates to the Pharisees in the time of Jesus who denounced all prophets serving under God. In the play “The dybukk,” there is an ever present notion that the bride is possessed by a malicious evil spirit due to her father’s wishes. The spirit must of course represent how the opinions of our family plague our decisions of life often for the worse. This play, I believe, is made to better represent the fact that we must be our own person and go through life with that attitude, or suffer the consequences of a never ending battle with our conscience. In “A Raisin in the Sun,” it is a story of struggle in the racist society of the American Dream. While the low income family must survive steadily in the hopes of fulfilling their dreams, they are often to blind to see that the success of one dream often leads to the failure of others. This is a classic story of the necessity of sacrifice that is so common in modern literature.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Blog 9:
ReplyDeleteThe two operas shown here are in typical operatic style. They have strong religious overtones and screams emotion. There is stigmata shown here, which is strange because I have never seen this in theatre before. This is a clear sign of doubt. The Jewish theatre is also religiously centered but with a much more demonic undertone. In "The Dybukk" there is a situation where a child is possesed, this is a very strong scene and evokes a feeling of dispair. This shows to me that Jewish theatre can be much darker than other forms. "A Raisin in the Sun" is a great piece of drama. What it shows most is the strength of the African American spirit. Even though their family is tormented by racism and poverty, they still hold strong and survive.
In The Saint of Bleeker Street the play has many connections to religion and how God is not a man but is everything and nothing at the same time. This play really shows how religion is even more prevelant in plays and is taken in a new direction through opera. Albert Herring begins with three children singing opera and on their way to a grocer so they can steal apples. As they do so the little boy is captured by the owner and all the apples are put back. throughout the entire clip opera in sung. Some parts were a tab bit tough to follow on account of the fact that most of what is sung sounds very similar to alot of what is said. The next scene in the play after the apple one is where the girls and the boy sing at a special occasion. It looks as if they must each present flowers of some sort to the honored people at the occasion. The boy goes first and presents his with ease followed by the second girl, who does hers very easily. But the last girl has problems and it looks as if she is nervous and forgets what she is to say. The last scene shows the girls and the boy in the grocer where they stole apples except for the fact that they are offered a peach when they arrive. This play in particular was the most difficult to follow but once i undertood what was happening then it was not so bad. The play I'm not Rappaport seemed like it was a comedy judging by the way the audience responded to the dialogue that was being spoken. The play seemed to satarize race. The white man at first was talking to a black man then to a spanish kid soon after. He then went on to talk about the other races and how they should stick together or they are finished. The spanish kid then mugs the old white man and runs off. The Dybukk seems like its a very spiritual and ritualistic play. As the play progresses there is an ever prevelant spirit that is surrounding the bride. Which causes her at the end of the ceremony before she is wedded to run to the tombstone of her bridegroom. A Raisin In the Sun deals with a family trying to live the true American Dream and how sometimes life is just tough. money has really taken over peoples lives and without it life as we know it is very hard to live. In a raisin in the sun the plays shows a black family just trying to make it by and how their racial color is keeping them from accomplishing things that the average white person was doing at those times. Racial segregation at those times really kept people with diffrent skin colors from doing anything and it was and still is wrong. The real true enemy of man is man itself, if man could ever agree on anything then things like segregation for example would have never existed.
ReplyDeleteResponse to T.J. Scholl: I agree with the fact that the operas that were viewed had strong religous sentiment.
ReplyDeleteIn the saint of bleeker street there is a lot of singing. The play itself is very diverse. Not only does it have acting is have singing, kinda like opera. In albert herring there is also great diversity. There is also dancing, singing and acting. Very good acting and also very good vocals it is somewhat operatic. In I'm Not Rappaport these is not singing, I guess the Jewish people don’t sing as much. But there is very good acting. This theatre is different from the others because there is more acting and less singing and this play is understandable. The dance of death is more religious, there are people dancing around and the people are very very Jewish. The movie is quiet confusing and I am not able to see what is going on. This is kind of different from ancient theatre. In a raisin in the sun it is dialogue between characters. We watched this in class a few years ago and it was a very well put together movie. In this there is good acting and speaking. It’s very good.
ReplyDeleteresponse to michael: that is very interesting what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteThe opera and plays for this week all showed different cultures and ethnic groups. The sets are realistic and there is no spectacle. Albert Herring takes place in an English grocery store with a group of children singing and stealing apples. "The Saint of Bleeker Street" is an Italian opera with more adult themes like religion. It involves stigmata and how people react to religious signs. "The Dybbuk" is a Jewish play that also has religious signs. Thee is singing in Yiddish and it is solemn. Leah'l is supposed to be possessed by a demon. Although "I'm not Rappaport" is about serious issues like how we treat the elderly and human dignity, there are comic moments between Nat and Midge. The characters are stereotypes. "A Raisin in the Sun" is an important African American play about a family struggling to get out of poverty. Unfortunately, Walter tries a get rich quick scheme that loses their insurance money.
ReplyDeleteJustin Scheuner response to Blog 9:
ReplyDeleteFor the operatic piece, The Saint of Bleeker Street, you can definitely discern the origins of opera. Opera is essentially the masterpiece of Italians, as they have taken opera and made it their own. This is easily seen from the Saint of Bleeker Street in its rythmic flow of the action and characteristic blending of music with action. In the Jewish pieces, there are elements of the evolution of man and comedy. These are specifically found in the piece I'm not Rappaport, which judging from the video and the synopsis, is sort of a version of Forrest Gump, but is more symbolic in the evolution of man, and how we start off so vibrant and lively, but usually end up alone and gloomy. In the African American piece, A Raisin in the Sun, race relations are explored, which is often a theme in African American theatre. It also displays the tendency of people to be extremely bipolar in their moods when money dictates their life. Overall the play manages to examine both race relations and the effects of money all at the same time.
Justin Scheuner response to Andrew Svgdik:
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about A Raisin in the Sun and how it involves an examination of what happens when a family is struggling for money, and how it affects their relationships.
Austin Rudolph response to blog 9:
ReplyDeleteThe Saint of Bleeker Street is the usual opera play that we are used to seeing. Throughout the play, there is a back and forth operatic dialogue. This dialogue relates to the everyday problems that many of us face. The play also relates to religion. It shows how God plays an important role in our everyday lives and relationships. In the play The Dybukk, it seems as though the young bride is possessed. With all the dramatic dancing, it appears as though they are trying to get the evil spirit out of her. Although not much is said during this play, it is still easy to understand what is going on. A Raisin in the sun is about a family is facing its own war against racism in the Chicago slums. Due to the struggling family’s situation, Walter tries a get rich quick scheme which ultimately leaves them with no insurance. Although the family is living in tough times, they still pull together and remain strong.
Austin Rudolph response to Michael Guerrero:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on A Raisin in the Sun. I too believe that man is its own enemy.
My Response to Justin Scheuner:
ReplyDeleteThats interesting to compare the Jewish play to Forest Gump. It makes sense because both Forest and the old man seem to be running away from people.
First of all, Jewish theatre and African American Theatre branches off from what we know of theatre today. There basis are of the theatre we know today, but they are each unique in there own way. Opera have much spectacle with a lot of broad singing and dancing. From what I see and hear in “THe Saint of Bleecker Street,” there was a lot of laud and long held notes being sung. I also notice that a very normal conversation is con vied with much spectacle because of the way the actors sing.
ReplyDeleteIn Jewish theatre, I see tons of spectacle, but on a different sense than spectacle is stereotyped. I see much fighting is very emphasized and humor is used in many various occasions. Jewish Theatre is not about spectacle in how they sing, because there was no note sung. Instead Jewish Theatre presents a more English view of life.
My favorite, however, is African American theatre. Jazz is most defiantly one of the most major aspects of the music involved in African American Theatre. The very beginning of this play gives you a very urban feel, like the very amazing Cosby Show. In my opinion, the Cosby show is a very great way to depict some of the pest parts of the African American Culture. But, I am noticing that as this type of culture moves in the most modern parts of society, it most often reflects on what people are going to do with there life, where they are going to be in there life, and most importantly keeping God the center of everything. Two great examples to me is Tyler Perry’s House of Pain, and Meet the Browns.
All these plays tend to focus more on man’s relationship with man instead of man ‘s relationship with God. These plays do have the topic of God, except the Jewish play, but all the problem rely of how one human treats another human. To me, this shows reality in daily life and tries to connect with humans through depicting the truth on how humans behave and act. These plays could go with the modernistic era because each main character seems to be going against an idea of somebody else.
First of all, Jewish theatre and African American Theatre branches off from what we know of theatre today. There basis are of the theatre we know today, but they are each unique in there own way. Opera have much spectacle with a lot of broad singing and dancing. From what I see and hear in “THe Saint of Bleecker Street,” there was a lot of laud and long held notes being sung. I also notice that a very normal conversation is con vied with much spectacle because of the way the actors sing.
ReplyDeleteIn Jewish theatre, I see tons of spectacle, but on a different sense than spectacle is stereotyped. I see much fighting is very emphasized and humor is used in many various occasions. Jewish Theatre is not about spectacle in how they sing, because there was no note sung. Instead Jewish Theatre presents a more English view of life.
My favorite, however, is African American theatre. Jazz is most defiantly one of the most major aspects of the music involved in African American Theatre. The very beginning of this play gives you a very urban feel, like the very amazing Cosby Show. In my opinion, the Cosby show is a very great way to depict some of the pest parts of the African American Culture. But, I am noticing that as this type of culture moves in the most modern parts of society, it most often reflects on what people are going to do with there life, where they are going to be in there life, and most importantly keeping God the center of everything. Two great examples to me is Tyler Perry’s House of Pain, and Meet the Browns.
ReplyDeleteAll these plays tend to focus more on man’s relationship with man instead of man ‘s relationship with God. These plays do have the topic of God, except the Jewish play, but all the problem rely of how one human treats another human. To me, this shows reality in daily life and tries to connect with humans through depicting the truth on how humans behave and act. These plays could go with the modernistic era because each main character seems to be going against an idea of somebody else.
Vince Correale Response to Blog 9:
ReplyDeleteThe Saint of Bleeker Street: This piece ties into Realism in the sense that it focuses on the individual and Romanticism in that is about the struggle between good and evil. This play would be one that could be seen on Broadway. This show reminded me of New York. It points out the culture of the city and the people within. Being an Opera, this play would reflect a similar structure to those of the Renaissance period. This is true because the standards for the opera were set during this period in history. This play could be considered an Operetta.
I’m Not Rappaport: This play centers on life in modern day and the troubles of the diversity in modern America. The man with the cane points out to the Spanish kid that times haven’t changed. He says that life was the same way sixty-five years ago. All the different races had the same problems with each other at that time that they do today. He tries to convince him that everyone is fighting the same battle and fighting amongst each other does not help the struggle. This play explores different cultures, historical perspectives, races, ethnicities, lives, and lifestyles. This diversity that is explored is a switch from theatre up until this time period. Theatre up until the 18th century focused on one style or concept. It is a product of the Industrial Revolution and the huge influx of immigrants to America at the turn of the 19th century.
Raisin in the Sun: This play focuses on the diversity of race and the struggles of African-Americans during the turn of the 20th century. It is about a black family trying to survive in a white dominated society. This play demonstrates the control money has on people in modern society. It is very much a modern play in that it centers on the life of the poor. Plays up until the 19th century mostly focused on the life of the rich and aristocracy. In each of these plays the main character struggles to overcome the pressures and limitations of society.
Response to Justin Scheuner:
ReplyDeleteThank you for considering Opera the masterpiece of Italians. I agree with you one-hundred percent. Not only have they perfected Opera, they have also perfected food.
The Saint of Bleeker Street and Albert Herring mainly deals with religion. A lot of emotion is expressed throughout these two operas. The sounds and lightings throughout the operas had a huge effect on the main ideas of the operas. Costume styles were different.
ReplyDeleteIn Jewish Theatre, religion plays an important role. Again, costumes are very different from what people wear today. Lightings and sounds have a huge impact in the Jewish Theatre.
In African American Theatre, religion and family play a huge role. African American Theatre can be related to every day life. The costumes are like what people wear today. The environment relates to our environment today, too. The concept(s) of African American Theatre can be compared to many issues in today’s society, such as racism, money, poverty, etc. In “A Raisin in the Sun,” a family tries to live the American dream. In this play, I learned that you cannot get trough life without money. Racial segregation was a difficult and depressing process that the family went through. Believe it or not, racial segregation is still a major conflict faced today. In the end, all you really need is your family and God. “A Raisin in the Sun” explains all of this. At the end of the play, the only things that kept the family going was that they had each other and God.
To Michael Guerrero:
ReplyDeleteMan you write a lot and I enjoyed reading your post it was really good. But i do agree with you on the Raisin in the Sun that man is its own enemy.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe modern opera seemed kind of dull to me. It just wasn't as interesting as the other forms of modern theatre. Both of the operas seemed the same. They were slow moving.
ReplyDeleteThe Jewish theatre "I'm not a Rappaport" is very funny. The lighting is well done and the characters are perfect. It is much more interesting than the opera is. This may be because it seems more recent. The other Jewish film was very boring and dull. Once again, this may be because it was made a long time ago. Expectations have changed.
"A Raisin in the Sun" to me is the best of the videos. It has many different conflicts and gets pretty intricate. This type of theatre seems much more enjoyable than opera to me.
Theatre has come a very long way. It is still changing. Someday, theatre could go back to old times. I might think that the theatre in the first few videos (opera) was very popular. Right now though, I think that people enjoy a more modern theatre. A theatre with many conflicts and problems. It has definitely changed since early Greek theatre. Although today’s society likes modern theatre most, we can still enjoy plays that were written many years ago.
I think you are right about the two operas. They both mainly deal with religion. most of the videos (except for the American) did not use contemporary clothing. I think that this added to the plays.
ReplyDeleteIn The Saint Of Bleecker Street, the opera has music as the core for its dialogue. This, being a play with little spectacle and a focus towards a storyline through the presentation of the chorus, shows the emphasis the director places on the audience. This play strains the importance of religion in daily life, giving the play a subplot and message to the spectators. This shows how the play still has ancient theatre in its roots as it tries to tie in old themes and messages portrayed in ancient greek and Egyptian theatre. In Dybbuk, Jewish theatre touches on the emotional aspect of the audience and tries to portray a message from that. This shows the past roots of theatre, but more modern aspects include how the play preaches a message of independence and free thinking for the individual, for no one can control another person. A Raisin In The Sun is the most modern of the choices. This play deals with current issues of today's society, problems such as racism and financial issues. I like how this play can convey a message, leaving all past theatre connections behind, and starting a new play from scratch without the total use of spectacle to fuel the audience's want for stupid and cheap thrills.
ReplyDeleteMy response to Brody Jameson:
ReplyDeleteI see how the other Jewish play is humorous, where the first one is serious and emotional. This shows how Jewish theatre can combine two complete different forms into two different plays.
Paul Cianciolo response to Blog 9:
ReplyDeleteOpera
The videos I watched about Opera in the English language really changed my perspective on Opera. Opera obviously comes from playful intermissions, but it developed into what is known as the most beautiful form of theatre. It is easy for people in America to become enchanted by beautifully sung Opera in a different language. I found that listening to it in my own language made it very weird. Opera basically dramatizes the entire dialogue and really doesn’t leave the actor the ability to express their feelings in their own true voice. Basic drama connects better with audiences, because they are able to relate with dull, but real feelings. Opera may be beautiful to hear, but it doesn’t display the common man. I like how Opera allows many different cultures to express there diversity through way of song though.
Jewish Theatre and African American Theatre
It is easy to see how theatre has evolved through the years in just watching the Jewish and African American theatres. Most people enjoy seeing theatre that depicts real life and that is what both these theatrical styles give viewers. The stories may be basic or may not be, but they take the settings and ideas from the minority of these cultures and put them into a well constructed play. The African American play does an excellent job of showing what should come first in life. It also shows how it is worth more over Opera or any other type of theatrical style. A Raisin in the Sun may not give viewers what they want to hear but most of us do except the message it is sending out. A play like this is worth seeing multiple times over a form of theatre that gains your attention through extravagant voices or movements. Jewish theatre does essentially the same thing as African American Theatre, but it can sometimes be less appealing with its detailed plots.
Response to Ben Haynes:
ReplyDeleteI liked how you described the American Opera to the Greek and Egyptian theatre. I think many people overlook the fact that a strong chorus in the background came from the ancient periods in theatre.
In the first video, The Saint of Bleecker Street, a religious conflict is presented through the opera style. The woman in the video believes she sees visions of God. Opera is used to express this situation and to create a dramatic effect for the situation.
ReplyDeleteIn the second video, I'm Not Rappaport, the jewish theatre shows us the every day struggle of the common man. The old man describes how he is like the spanish boy and that all the different lower class groups are the same. They all struggle to get by while the rich get richer. He says that they must stick together to have a chance at survival.
In the third video, A Raisin in the Sun, the African AMerican theatre also shows the struggle of every day life. This play portrays a low class african american theatre wanting to get out of their situation and use their mother's money to advance themselves. It shows the dangers money and greed can have on people.
Response to Paul Cianciolo: I agree that in essence African American and Jewish theatre portrayed similar messages.
ReplyDeleteTypically, one is used to seeing Opera in Italian, German, or other Western European languages. The Saint of Bleecker Street added a different perspective to the way opera can be viewed by it being acted in English. The two types of theater, Jewish and African-American, could not be more different. The African-American plays were centered around the families' life in the home. It did not have any seeing, nor did it show the type of emotion that is seen in the style of acting in Opera. The African-American theater presented a "movie-style" of acting. The setting was very realistic and could of easily been portrayed as a scene from everyday life in an African-American home during those times. I'm Not Rappaport and A Raisin in the Sun, do show similarities in the conflict of the plays. Both deal with the financial struggles of low income classes.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Micheal Steepleton: I agree that Raisin in the Sun shows the true dangers of lust for money and greed.
ReplyDeletethe opera was cool in the sense that there is no way I could ever do it. Although over all I thought the opera was boring. The Saint of Bleeker Street: This opera as stated by others seemed to be a realist production. There also seemed to be an underline good v.s. evil in this opera. I also felt this opera spoke about the common issues and confinements we go through every day. The Jweish theater did a good job at showing the suffrage the jewish religon has gone through. I personaly found the Jewish theater pieace to be my favorite. The African American theater showed the suffrage the African race has gone through. Vince put it best saying it potrayed an African family being dominated by a white society. I felt A Raisin in the sun proved no matter what or who trys to put you down with your family one can overcome anything.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Paul and Michael that the Jewish and African theater both potrayed suffrage from other groups. One being about race and the other about religion.
ReplyDeleteThe opera was pretty good in my opinion. In the Saint of Bleecker Street, the opera plays with the idea of a powerful deity being in human form. It deals with much questioning of the "why" and "how"'s of life. The Jewish theatre and African American theatre both showed the struggles of the commoner, in their own fashion. I found this similar to what could be found with the good things happening to good people after all is said and done concept of various other styles found throughout history. It showed reality.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Paul:
ReplyDeleteI like what you said and agree with it, concerning A Raisin in the Sun. I think it does an excellent job of showing the realities that not all want to hear, but probably should.
The Saint of Bleeker Street and Albert Herring
ReplyDeleteThe first video in an realistic opera. It takes the modern demand for realistic settings, attire, and conflicts. It is concerning how one's pride can get in the way of respecting another's wishes. It also is an example of modern theatre through its use of historically accurate scenes and clothing to produce a more believable play. It has evolved from bland and music less, to a style focused on human emotion, experience, and the tone created by the orhestra. Albert Herring uses much of the same techniques. It has a very complex and accurate stage, however, it is not as complex as the Maddison Square Garden stage of multiple levels. Even after reading the synopsis, I am still a little confused on the total concept. I think that this confronts a difference of connection between adolescence and adulthood. The perfect example is when the kids want to enter the general store, and enter with supreme caution. Also, how they describe the object as a big white object, rather than use definitive examples to get their point across. This is done to distinguish characters and their roles in a more modern, more realistic theatre.
Jewish History
I'm Not Rapport addresses the ever changing physical changes that comes with age. The synopsis tells that the man is changing with age, and every event that happens, leaves his physical condition further deteriorated, which also impacts his social life. From the video, you can see that the scenery and clothing were used to accurately portray the time of the play. I think that this play also challenges the deteriorating morals of society, in the final scene where the robber steals the old mans wallet and then furthers the humiliation by beating him. The Dybbuk is a play of emotions and life after death. To me, this play is boring, but that is because that the moral behind the story, described in the synopsis, is something im not attracted to. I believe it is a moral play about respecting the dead and holding true to your inner most emotions. the set is complex because it has an audience set up on stage for a play, a street gathering, and the girl in the graveyard being possessed.
African American
A Raisin in the Sun is a perfect example of the moral play in modern times. The created environment and set help to make the play more realistic to the audience. Also, the enforcement of the religious outlook in the mothers house shows that society still respects morals. In the end, after the play has gone through the climax of greed, the main character declines the wealth brought with a whiteman wanting to buy the house. And with this, he sides with his family, rather than his large ego.
Response to Adrian Vivar:
I agree with you on the difference of past plays being in different languages and how the changing times in society and theatre changed this, causing plays to be done in the language of the people. I agree with you on the "movie style" of acting in the A Raisin in the Sun. It was very realistic and ended up teaching a valuable morale that family and life is more important than any dollar bill one can own.
The first video at first surprised me. It was an Opera that was in the English language. I much more prefer Opera in different language. Hearing the long drawn out singing in my own language is very awkward and I simply cannot appreciate it at all. In different languages such as Queen of the night, I find Opera much easier to enjoy. In the second video we see another musically based work. I found that I enjoyed this work much more. I think this was because it was not straight Opera singing, it also had parts that was true dialogue with no long drawn out singing. These two videos are very good examples of the many faces that theatre can have.
ReplyDeleteI'm Not Rappaport is a good example of a regular play. Its subject pertains to getting older and how older people view the world. I enjoy this because it is out of the normal, because most stories that take about getting older show a young person coming of age through some sort of tests or trials of life. This is a different way to show life and aging.
RAISIN IN THE SUN was my favorite of all the videos. It had the best form of dialogue. The play does a very good job of showing the troubles of life and humans nature fight for something better and something more.
Response to Paul Cianciolo: I agree with your opinion on Opera. If I ever have to attend an Opera I will make sure it is not in English.
ReplyDeleteFrom these videos, we can draw connections because they are videos of the modern age. Even though they are totally different types of plays, they were performed in the same age and teach us a lesson on our morals and actions. In the Jewish play, it is about people living a hard life trying to make a living in the Jewish ghetto. In the Opera play, it restores itself by changing the language to English. I prefer the foreign Operas, because it is more intresting to me and not awkward. My favorite play was the African American play, "A Raisen in the Sun." I liked this play because it is about a black family trying to live in the world they live in. It is also more modern, and Americanized than the other plays. I can understand it more better than the other plays.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Xander:
ReplyDeleteI agree because I think that if I went to a non english speaking opere, I would enjoy it much more
operas
ReplyDeletei did not find the opera veryintersting it seemed to me boring and dull and it wasn't my style. although i thought the singing was phenomanol i didn't like the plot of the opera very much because it bored me,
Jewish
i found the jewish plays more interesting than the operas. they seemed to me more real. and i felt like i could interact more in the play it was also funny while in the operas it was very serious.
African American.
this was probably my favorite form of play. it was comical and it brought real life expierences to the stage this was another style of play where i felt as if i could interact with the actors.
Response to adrian: great blog viv
In "The Saint of Bleecker Street", the issues dealt with religion. The clothes and structure was very modern and the way people dealt with the situation seemed pretty modern. I was surprised that it was an English opera. I don't like how it was in my own language, because it's very weird listening to the long, drawn out words and it got annoying after a while.
ReplyDeleteIn "Albert Herring", the style seemed different from the first opera. There was dialogue, and that gave a break from all of the singing and actually made it go faster. This was much more appealing to me because it helped me understand a bit more and when people talk directly and dont sing it gets the point across must faster. The clothing seemed to be from earlier years, and so did the setting.
In "I'm Not Rappaport", there seemed to be comedy mixed into it. To me, this was theatre solely for the actor; no singing, just dialogue and acting. I enjoyed this play because it had humor and I could follow what was going on easily.
"The Dyybuk" didn't peak my interest nearly as much as the previous play. Probably because it was much older and it was in Yittish. But the plot, to me, was very boring, unlike the other Jewish play that had various types of things going on.
"The Raisin in the Sun" is a very well done play. The acting is pretty good in it, and it runs very smoothly. The concept of the play has to deal with racial discrimitation and the family trying to make a better life.
Response to Kevin:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that The Dyybuk was very boring, and the other play was much better
Response to Blog #9:
ReplyDeleteIn the play "The Saint of Bleecker Street" it is about the issue of religion. The play is an English Opera and to be truthfully honest with you I did not like the play at all. I thought the play was very modern and the costumes and the whole scenario was done like people deal with things in our own time today. I did not enjoy the opera being sung in my own language because it was very weird sounding and I am just not use to that.
In "Albert Herring" this play is suppose to be set back in earlier times, I think, and the whole play was very confusing to me. I read the synopsis and I am still confused about the whole concept of the play. I would have to say that this play probably has to deal with religion also in some sort of way.
In "Im Not Rapport" this play is about how man changes with the times and how his body starts to deteriorate over time. Over time our body shows how old we are by the way our hair changes color and how are skin starts to become wrinkly.
In "The Dybbuk" this play is so boring. This play has to deal with the life after death and how we are suppose to hold true to what we believe and how we are suppose to keep those things strong in belief. This play is definetely suppose to be set in older times and is an older play. I was not particulary interested in this play as I was the others.
In "The Raisin in the Sun" this play deals with the more modern issue of civil rights and shows how our society can be so cruel and hatrid at some points. I believe the play flows well and shows how the family tries to make their lives better.
My Response to Stephen Kelley:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you how you said the "Raisin in the Sun" deals with the modern issue of civil rights and how you said the family tries to make their life better.
In the opera The Saint of Bleeker street i thought the singing was very impressive and i enjoyed listneing to it. It had ties to religion in it and showed the message of how important god is to us and how he is in everything around us. I like having the opera in the English language because i like being able to understand what the person is saying and i dont understand why anyone would want to sit and listen to someone sing and not be able to understand what they are saying. Overall i liked the opera portions of this blog. Im not Rappaport seemed to be a comedy and had many different races in the play. It showed the evolution of man and how we have grown in our styles of comedy. Irt duscusses how races live and how people have had the same problems throughout time. It discusses how all the races should stick together. I didnt really enjoy this one, i didnt think i was very interesting, but it had good dialogue and plot. A raisin in the sun had major focus on the diversity of race and how the Afican American constantly struggle int their day to day lives It also shows how many can control a persons thoughts and ideas and how they can think higher of thenmselves based on their wealth. It deals alot with the idea of people overcoming their struggles in society
ReplyDeleteResponse to Will: i agree that A raisin in the sun really seems to flow well
ReplyDeleteOpera
ReplyDeleteI did not enjoy watching the opera.I do believe that it was very well directeed and performed but i do not enjoy listening to people sing like that. To me opera is a boring form of theatre although alot of people love it i prefer something else. I did like the fact that it was in english unlike alot of the other people in the class because I am able to understand what is going on unlike I would if it was in another language. Also I did notice that some religon tied into this performance.
Jewish Theatre
The first Jewish play i seemed to like better than the second it was more commical and more modern. These two alos dealt with religion but not in the usual way. It showed how the Jews were suffering during the Holocaust.
African-American Theatre
In this play it showed how tough it is for african-americans in the united states with racial segregation. This play I alos liked more than the opera it was more modern and I oucld understand what was going on.
Response to Tyler:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the opera being in English. If it were in antoher language how would we understand what they are saying.
I thought The Saint of Bleecker Street was a very well done and well directed opera. I think what makes it an example of modern theatre is the message that can be applied to every day life. I believe what defines a modern theatrical presentation is the substance of the work combined with the relevance to everyday life, and The Saint of Bleecker Street is a very good example of how these elements can work together in a realistic fashion.
ReplyDeleteFor the example of Jewish theatre, I thought I'm Not Rappaport was a great play with a fascinating plot and a very well thought out story line. I think the message that sometimes a story can be less painful than the truth is a great example of the direction that modern theatre takes in regard to global outlooks and social skepticism.
I think A Raisin in the Sun is a good example of modern theatre because it deals with the daily struggles the working class and African Americans in that time faced throughout their lives. The problems depicted are very realistic in the sense that not everyone in life can have good things happen to them and life is sometimes very inconsistent with what cards you are dealt, so to speak.
Response to T.J. Scholl:
I agree with your assessment that A Raisin in the Sun shows that through the struggles of life in poverty, a family can still rely on itself and stay strong.
In The Saint of Bleecker Street a religious battle is going on, but through a strange sort of style - operatic. The woman thinks she is seeing visions of God. Opera allows the situation to be presented in a dramatic way.
ReplyDeleteIn I'm Not Rappaport, which is an example of Jewish theatre, shows the every day problems of the common man. The old man tells how all lower classes, no matter what society, are the same. They all struggle to live, but the rich are able to get even richer.
In A Raisin in the Sun, an example of African American theatre, also shows the struggle of every day life. This play shows an African American family that is struggling to make it, but is going to get money; however, each member of the family wants to spend it a different way. It is a great example of the effect that money and power can have on a person.
Response to Will Coker:
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said as the "requirements" of modern theatre. Most importantly, the fact that it must apply to everyday life.
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ReplyDeleteThe variety of modern plays is amazing. There are many cultures and societys that have different views on life. Without different views things would be boring and dull. In modern times the plays have really grown in their own style. Operas are not very sought after, but are considered as one of the best kind of theatre productions there are. Jewish theatre is showing how life as a jew can be very difficult and hard. The African American outlook is very race discriminated and interesting to see just what these people went through. Therefore without this diversity theatre would not be wa=hat it is today.
ReplyDeleteMy response to Will:
I agree with your outlook on the jewish theatre.
The saint of bleeker street shows jsut how close religion is with our everyday lives. It shows that for mist people we have our own way of pracicing our own religion may it be christian, muslim, jewish or dekonic. Everyone wants a way to show their cultural diversity and show what they bring to the table and theatre is the way they do it.
ReplyDeleteOpera was more like a concert than a play, it has the play feel to it because they dress up and it somewhat tells a story, but other than that it’s all about the songs.
ReplyDeleteJewish Theatre is very down and sad. It shows the hardships they had to go through. It is quite gloomy.
African American theatre is one of my favorites. In this certain play it shows the hardships that blacks had to endure when whites were very prejudice towards them.
response to Cameron:
ReplyDeletegreat incite on how theatre is the way people show their cultural diversity.