You-pick-uh-winner
The wife and I regretted not making it out to Gasparilla, particularly on such a nice day. However the day was not a complete loss; not only did I get to enjoy the Lightning slaughter the Flyers (hope Vinny is alright), but we then went down to TBPAC to enjoy Jobsite's production of Topdog/Underdog.
The script is pretty solid. Digging for some reviews I found many complaints about the ending - blame it on The Sixth Sense. It seems like the sole ingredient of a good ending these days is the twist - if you see it coming then the entire work up to that point becomes worthless. Anyone that pays even slight attention to the play will have a pretty good idea of what will happen in the end, but that does not invalidate the power of the finale. In fact I think the play gains with its air of impending doom, lending each moment an extra bit of tension.
The local production is pretty solid. Derek Lance Jefferson, playing younger brother Booth, teeters ever so slightly on the line of overacting in the beginning of the play, but it's impressive that as the tension mounts in the story his performance becomes more focused rather than unravelling further. Older brother Lincoln (and if you're thinking those names are pretty convenient, the characters are aware of it too) is played by "ranney" (yes, that's how you write it - when your bio reads as impressively as his, you can spell your name however you want); his performance is the highlight by far. Music was very important to the original production - how many non-musical Broadway shows have a soundtrack? - and Jobsite retains that tradition well.
And just in case you're wondering why you should take any theatre advice from me - that would be fair - will you take the word of a real critic? A good night out and support of a great local organization - what excuse do you have?
Throw your neck out
Throw your back out
- Outkast, "The Rooster"
Posted by Joel at 1/29/2006 12:37:00 AM
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