WONDERFUL THEATER!
Born with Teeth (Asolo Repertory Theatre)
Born with Teeth is a recent play (2022) by Liz Duffy Adams. It debuted at the Alley Theatre in Houston and is now being presented around the country. It’s a historical play with just one setting and two actors in three scenes set in a London tavern in 1592 and 1593. The characters are the popular successful Christopher (Kit) Marlowe and the then less well-known Will Shakespeare. Here, they are collaborating on an historical play.
There is some evidence that the two did collaborate and Duffy Adams has taken that likely fact and woven a drama around it. Kit baits and taunts the more cautious, overtly timid Will in the opening scene. Later they spar and trade barbs over the political climate, discuss the dangers lurking around them in this repressive age, and they tease and flirt. The climax in the last scene comes with a twist.
It is not necessary to know the details of the times, other than to be aware it was a contentious time with factions railing against Queen Elizabeth and several of her courtiers, Raleigh, Cecil, and Essex warring and plotting with or against each other. Some even believed Marlowe was a spy.
I found the first fifteen minutes a bit slow; perhaps it was getting my head wrapped around the language, but then the play took off and the next hour plus flew by. Born with Teeth runs through March 29. It’s yet another example of the Asolo at its finest! (~JWFarrington)
RECENT MOVIES
Black Life: Real vs. Imagined: American Fiction (Amazon Prime)
Another nominee for Best Picture, American Fiction is fun, witty, and satisfying. A satirical look at fiction that sells, it features a Black writing professor and author of several books. But Monk hasn’t published anything recently. Somewhat incensed by all the attention given to a stereotypical, racist depiction of Blacks by another Black author, he takes a pseudonym and writes his own novel of what he thinks white folks want to read about Black people. The results upset him but gain him far more attention than he ever bargained for.
One of the great things about this film is its depiction of a successful upper middle class Black family. Monk, the star is a professor, his sister is a doctor, and his brother, albeit with his own personal issues, is a plastic surgeon. There is much to like about this film, some food for thought, and an ending with a couple of surprises. Highly recommended!
Female Friendship & Romance: The Book Club: The Next Chapter (Amazon Prime)
Several years ago, I not quite dragged the Chief Penguin to the cinema in Manhattan to see The Book Club. It was fun and a nice change of pace, but not much more. It was redeemed largely by the marvelous cast of Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton, and Mary Steenburgen. These four talented women, now in their 70’s and 80’s (Fonda is 86!), are together again.
This time, they’ve convinced their friend Vivian (Fonda), recently engaged, that the women only should go to Italy for her bachelorette party. Carol and Diane have husbands or partners, and Sharon, a retired judge, is single.
What follows is silly, partly predictable, and just plain fun. There’s also a message in there, “carpe diem,” but not exactly expressed that way. This is a chic flick for sure, but some special guys might enjoy it also. Call it a delayed Valentine!
SERIES VIEWING: DON’T BOTHER
Expats (Apple TV+)
I read the novel of the same title on which Expats is based and was looking forward to the TV series. I think I lasted about 20 minutes into the first episode. Weird, disjointed, and nothing like the book. I felt somewhat justified when a friend felt similarly.
Good Apprentice (Amazon Prime)
This Italian series about a young woman interested in forensic medicine is one of Walter Presents many offerings. I watched the first episode and part of the second one. It’s okay, but seems light, and her frequent clumsiness is overdone. I’m not going back to it.
Note: Header photo, Pelicans at Robinson Preserve, ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
