Last week I had the fortunate advantage of seeing my first Tennessee Williams show. Which it's about time since he is responsible for my namesake, one of my idols and the main object of many nocturnal emissions.
Suddenly, Last Summer was the show. I had read the play and seen the movie months ago, but was waiting for the right chance to see the show (ideally before it closed this last Saturday, Jan 20th).
Suddenly, Last Summer was the show. I had read the play and seen the movie months ago, but was waiting for the right chance to see the show (ideally before it closed this last Saturday, Jan 20th).
Now don't get me wrong, the movie is funny and awful at the same time. Katherine Hepburn has some great scenes and as does Liz Taylor, but as for the integrity of the story, it was completely lost in the movie.The stage show is 90 minutes long and is roughly put into three distinct Acts. The first Act is Mrs. Venerable speaking with the doctor about her dead son (the unseen character who is the main reason for the show in general). He is an enigma and is supposed to remain that way. Mrs. V has some great monologues, especially one including the Encantadas, baby turtles and hungry Seagulls.
The second Act is the introduction of some minor characters and the misunderstood Catherine Holly. The audience is lead to believe that Catherine is indeed insane and that this "story" everyone keeps mentioning is just the ranting of a crazy woman.
The third Act is the most intense and high energized part of the show. It's when Catherine tells the story of her cousins demise. The long monologue takes the energy of a talented actress and Carla Gugino was indeed a perfect choice. The difference between her portrayal and Liz Taylor's is simple. Liz was TOO feminine for the role.
Liz can play an excellent Maggie the Cat because even though Maggie is trash, she has spent all her time putting up a mask of Southern grace and delicacy. While Catherine Holly has a similar characterization, she never wanted to be seen as fancy. My favorite line of Catherine's is:
Gugino had an excellent grasp of the character. She had a brashness in her voice that suggested she was someone who could possess southern grace, but also had that hint of Liz can't help but play the rich snobby girl cause she looked and acted the role so well. insanity to it. Watching her cousin's untimely end helped add to that. As her story unfolds you couldn't help but understand why it would drive a person to hysterics.
I don't intend to give any of the storyline away. It's strange and sordid though! The show runs like a 90 minute marathon, by the end you are exhausted. I have rarely gone to a show where in only 90 minutes I felt like I had been run through the mill. Not in a bad way do I mean this.
Tennessee Williams meant to do this to his audience, he wanted to share some of the insanity that Catherine Holly felt when she witnessed what happened to her cousin. And in the end you do. It builds and builds until finally she reveals what happens and then what...where do you go from there? You feel empty and slightly disturbed that you now know what you know.
In short, it's PERFECT.
Liz can play an excellent Maggie the Cat because even though Maggie is trash, she has spent all her time putting up a mask of Southern grace and delicacy. While Catherine Holly has a similar characterization, she never wanted to be seen as fancy. My favorite line of Catherine's is:
"I came out in the French Quarter LONG before I came out in the Garden District!"
Gugino had an excellent grasp of the character. She had a brashness in her voice that suggested she was someone who could possess southern grace, but also had that hint of Liz can't help but play the rich snobby girl cause she looked and acted the role so well. insanity to it. Watching her cousin's untimely end helped add to that. As her story unfolds you couldn't help but understand why it would drive a person to hysterics.
I don't intend to give any of the storyline away. It's strange and sordid though! The show runs like a 90 minute marathon, by the end you are exhausted. I have rarely gone to a show where in only 90 minutes I felt like I had been run through the mill. Not in a bad way do I mean this.
Tennessee Williams meant to do this to his audience, he wanted to share some of the insanity that Catherine Holly felt when she witnessed what happened to her cousin. And in the end you do. It builds and builds until finally she reveals what happens and then what...where do you go from there? You feel empty and slightly disturbed that you now know what you know.
In short, it's PERFECT.
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