Clybourne+Park+Review


 * Generally good. I'm surprised that you didn't mention the costume and their importance in identifying character type, etc. I liked what you had to say about the props. You might have also mentioned the lights and the music which were designed to assist you in understanding the play. But on the whole a good start. **

Miller Mrosek Dr. Richmond THEA 2100H 5 October 2014 Clybourne Park Review  I have only been to a few plays in my lifetime, so my ability to critique and evaluate theatre is a bit limited. Despite my lack of expertise, I enjoyed UGA’s presentation of Clybourne Park. It wasn't perfect, but it kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I laughed multiple times throughout the play. The characters, set, plot all combined to create an entertaining play. **(An Honest Start)**  I thought the design of the set was outstanding. The doors leading off of the main stage gave the space the appearance as though it was much larger than it actually was, and it allowed characters to enter and exit smoothly and naturally. This was a subtle detail that allowed for entry and exit that did not interrupt the flow of the play. The set was decorated in a way that it was obvious the first act was set in the past. The props on stage were antiques, like the telephone and radio, indicating that the play was set in an earlier time period without directly stating it.  Clybourne Park is a play infused with many aspects of realism. Early in the first act a real radio was played, a real phone rung and a real fan was blowing on stage. Russ also read a real magazine, and Bev game **(give?)** Jim a real drink. The fact that the director chose to use all of these authentic items in the play gave it a more realistic feel. The little attention to detail can make all the difference. It helped me envision the play as though it was real life and not just a bunch of actors on stage.  The plot emphasized a few social issues that are relatable **(relevant)** to life in today’s society. Race and how people of different race interact were very key points in this work. In the first act, things got a bit tense when race was alluded to or hinted at in regards to colored people moving in to the neighborhood. The way in which the subject was discussed in a non-direct way is typical of people today. We have a tough time discussing race and how it affects our lives without fear of offending anyone, and as a result we are a bit scared to do so. The later parts of the first act profiled this perfectly.  In the second act the discussion of race was a bit more direct. The financial and communal implications of colored people moving into traditionally white neighborhoods is discussed, and many jokes involving race are told in the play. I liked the jokes and thought they added value to the plot. They added humor to a play that was otherwise fairly serious in demeanor. I thought the fact that Steve, a white male in the second act, couldn’t ski was comedic and ironic after the stereotype of black people generally not skiing in the first act was brought up. I also liked that the concept of the word “offended” and what it actually means was discussed. I have often wondered what it truly means and whether it is a choice or not to be offended by someone or something. This play shows that we must not allow ourselves to be offended too easily, deserved or undeserved, or we will not get along as well as we should.  The actors of Clybourne Park and their relationships amongst each other are what made this play exceptional. The director clearly had a vision for each character, and it seemed like each actor knew how they were supposed to play their role and did so successfully. All of the characters had very different personalities, and each character added their own flavor to the plot. I was impressed with the way the actors argued with each other in such a realistic manner. It didn’t seem forced at all and this raised the intensity of the scenes, making me feel as though it was real. The actor who played Russ did a fantastic job. His role was not easy, playing the grumpy middle-aged man whose son committed suicide. He “became” the character and oozed negative energy and was a superb “bad guy.” Not many people can play the “bad guy”, but the actor playing Russ did so with class. The fact that his son committed suicide after serving in the war is another issue that is extremely relevant to life today, and is actually one of the biggest problems that our military is facing. The decision by the director to highlight this tragedy with the reading of the letter written by Russ’ son by the construction worker at the end of the play really opened my eyes. It gave me a glimpse as to how horrifying it must have been for his parents and helped me feel their pain. This sense of empathy is very important in keeping the audience’s attention, and the director did a good job of drawing out this feeling throughout the play. **(good observation)** One thing that did confuse me a bit, and is one of the only things I didn’t love about the play, is that I didn’t fully understand the beginning of the second act right away. The same actors from act one were present on stage, and two of the couples were formed by the same actors as they were in act one. I couldn’t tell if it was set previously in time from the first act and the characters were all younger versions of themselves, or if it was set after the first act and these were all new characters. Later it was made evident that the second possibility was the case, but it wasn’t made obvious from the start. It was a very minor detail, but one that I would have liked the director to handle differently. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was also not totally sure as to what the theme of the play was. The main focus seemed, at least to me, to be about racial issues. However, the director said in the program that the theme was that we are all nomads, and I would not have ever imagined that as the theme. I think the play could have benefited from a more clear direction and purpose. Clybourne Park was an interesting play with relevant social issues that are key parts of the plot. Without the social issues that the audience can relate to, this play would not have been nearly as good as it was and I doubt I would have been stimulated to anywhere near the same extent. The comedy was quite enjoyable, and the fact that the director made a concerted effort to give the play realistic aspects really added to my experience. I am glad we had to go watch Clybourne Park, but that may be a case of ignorance is bliss, as I haven't seen enough plays to necessarily know the difference between an exceptional play and an average one. It may have been the fact that I enjoyed watching real actors more than the fact that the play was special. The production could have been improved, but I enjoyed it and I am now looking forward to seeing Hedda Gabler.