Yesterday afternoon, amidst a sudden downpour of icy snow globules, I picked up my mom in Cedar Falls and we took in the musical double feature, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, presented by Theatre UNI and the Music Department of the University of Northern Iowa. My daughter was part of the backstage crew.
The program described A Day in Hollywood as “a musical revue performed by the ushers of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, in the heart of Hollywood. It is a salute to early Hollywood—the magic of the movies, the charisma of the stars, the talents of the directors, writers and composers creating those lavish, fantastic movie musicals and screwball comedies of the 1930’s.”
“A Night in the Ukraine is based on a mythical Marx Brothers movie based on an actual Anton Chekhov play, The Bear. The director’s comments included: “What a pleasure to rediscover the remarkable world-wrecking comedy of the Marx Brothers……an opportunity for our performers to explore commedia, stand-up, slap-stick, and sheer mayhem….”. No kidding……the audience was treated to hilarious, wacky chaos which could easily be summed up as “world-wrecking”!
It was my first visit ever to the Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI campus:
The courtyard between the theatre and music buildings:
After the show, we spent a few minutes chatting with my daughter, before she had to join the rest of the crew for the “strike”. Do you know what that is?
By the time Mom and I exited the theater, the snow had stopped falling and the streets were simply wet.
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5 comments:
What a fun afternoon! Two plays at one sitting. I'm glad the snow had stopped before you left, and you didn't find it getting deeper and deeper.
Yes, I know what "strike" is in the context of theater. When you're that age, it's all fun!
Sounds like you two ladies had a wonderful funny afternoon. Have a wonderful week.
I was on your blog, even as you were commenting on mine! I sent you a 'live' message. Did you get that?
This sounds like a fantastic show! I love the early hollywood stuff - Ziegfeld and the wacky comedians. You and your mom must have had a great time.
What is the "strike"? I don't know.
Do you watch "The Amazing Race"? There was a Chekhov connection in that last night.
Kat
Hi, Pat,
Thanks for stopping in. I enjoyed the plays.....lots of laughs and good music and dancing.
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Hi, Gramma Ann,
I almost added an "e" to your name, like my daughter's name. Thanks for stopping by, too. Yes, it was nice to spend time with my mom.
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Hi, Poetikat,
No...sorry....I wasn't signed into Live Messenger. I love your train posts today!
Yeah, the Marx Brothers were hilarious, of course. There was lots of talent on the stage there.
The "strike" is the tearing down of the set, apparently. It was supposed to take several hours. Kind of a special ritual, it sounds like. Tear it all down so a new show can be planned.
No, I don't even know what "The Amazing Race" is.
Sounds exciting.
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