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Opening Umbrellas on Stage
For over a century, opening umbrellas on stage has been preceived as bad luck. Hugget reports that the belief actually started in 1868 when an orchestra leader named Bob Williams, said good-bye to his theater company before going away for the weekend. He opened his umbrella while standing on the stage, then walked out into a very rainy day. An hour later he was standing on the stern of a boat, waving good-bye to a group of friends. As it sailed away from the dock, one of the engines exploded and Williams was instantly killed. The publicity seemed to say that the accident and the opening of the umbrella were connected. A theater superstition was born and lives to this day. As with many of the other superstitions, there is a 'counter spell'. This was especially needed with this belief, because occasionally an actor must open an umbrella as a stage direction in a play. If an actor opens the umbrella facing the ground good luck is restored.
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AXEMAN'S JAZZ JANUARY 2008
- I must say how impressive the entire production was: script, acting, lighting, timing. All of it. My only question was whether the pronunciation of New Orleans back then was "N'awlins" as it is today. Just a thought. Again, congrats. Michele S.
- Dear Matt,
Again, your play was good. And the reviewer said as much. The reason you got two stars is because you had two weaker actors. The rest was just fine. I think you could expand it and submit it to TV. I would only make a suggestion or two. There was one spot in the second act which I think could be strengthened. It was when Joseph was talking about meeting with the devil. I think that could be re written to make it less the "devil" and more "evil." That is, I think you have a wonderful opportunity (which you elude to in the first act) to play around with what is good and what evil and the ordinary and simplistic way people define them. Didn't Hanna Arendt write about the banality of evil when she wrote about the Nazis? I remember a story about the Nuremburg trial. One Jewish survivor was about to testify from the stand and he looked over at the defendents and collapsed. When asked later why, he said it was because they looked so ordinary. He had made them in his mind to be monsters and they all just looked like shopkeepers. I also think you could develop the Joseph character more. What makes these kinds of people operate? You have him with delusions, and that's good. But perhaps we need to see the reason he focuses on Italians beyond the statements he makes. Is there a more personal reason? Again, it's that good/evil dichotomy which you flirt with in the beginning. I think the voodoo doctor is very important and of course would be much improved played by an older woman. She is a good foil to the good/evil discussion and can even be developed more by showing her own transformation in her encounter with Joseph. That is partly there, and may have been more evident with stronger acting. Anyway, the script was strong enough to stand in spite of the weak actors. Better to have a strong script with good writing and compelling story but weak acting, rather than fabulous actors working off of nothing. I am glad I came and saw it. Thanks, Joy S.
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The mission of the American Repertory Theater is two fold. First, the mandate of The American Repertory Theater is to produce both classic and contemporary theatrical works and support a new generation of playwrights. These productions are purposefully created through the innovative exploration of these selected works, thereby enhancing the cultural and intellectual experience of the theatergoer. Second, the American Repertory Theater will serve as a catalyst for community dialogue and action that will result in sustained economic growth and increase the collaboration within all sectors of our community.
