Raving Richard Radio Review for live broadcast on 8/15/07, KKIM, 1000AM
This week my focus is on the show that just opened at the Adobe Theatre here in Albuquerque, Shakespeare’s King Lear.
To set the stage, let me paraphrase director Richard Adkins: “The play tells of an aging monarch who wants to put aside the burden of high office, while retaining its pomp. Foolishly, he dismisses his youngest daughter, who truly loves him. The play is further complicated by his manipulations with his two older daughters, plus palace intrigue and a parallel plot involving the Duke of Gloucester, then rises to a violent climax.”
Typical of Shakespearean plays, all sorts of interaction takes place, with many characters involved. The cast is mostly made up of former students of the director, each a talented performer making great progress in theatre, their true love. But to single out one among the many for well-deserved accolades, I would wager there is no one on London or New York stages or film in Hollywood who can exceed the overall sense of identity for the title role displayed by Ron Elguera. How could there be a more irascible codger than this person Shakespeare made Lear out to be? Ron fulfills every element of passion in the script and director’s intent.
A footnote about the director, to whom I was introduced by distinguished actor and Adobe Liaison, Hugh Witemeyer: Ralph Adkins also heads the drama program for Albuquerque high schools.
King Lear continues weekends at the Adobe through Sept. 2. This is indeed an outstanding performance: acting, staging, costuming, and all other production aspects. No matter whether you are a Shakespeare aficionado or not, this is an opportunity to appreciate the Bard’s dramatic writing.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Seniors! You need theatre as much as it needs you!
Research: Singing for Dear Life
A recent year-long research project shows that engagement in cultural activities makes for happier, healthier seniors. The project focused on people with an average age of 80 who either volunteered to join a singing group that met once a week at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., or they were recruited to be in a comparison group.
The music group sang in a professionally conducted chorale for 30 weeks, and in addition they gave several concerts during this period. Baseline measures of physical health and medical treatments were taken, as well as scores on a morale scale, a loneliness scale, a depression scale, and a survey of social activities. Participants kept a journal of doctor visits and lists of medications they were taking. Researchers took care that the differences between the groups were controlled for in all analyses. While at baseline there were 166 participants, 12 months later there were 141. About 80 percent were women, and most of the participants were white (92 percent).
The results from this year-long study were highly favorable to those who participated in the musical program. They reported a higher level of physical health, had fewer doctor visits, used less medication, and had fewer falls and other health problems. They also reported better morale, less loneliness, and they had a more active social life at the end of the year; the comparison group's social activities showed a decline.
This study supports the view that serious engagement in cultural activities, such as music and artistic programs, supports healthful behavior in other realms as well. A lively culturally-engaged older population is one that is more likely to be self-directed and fulfilled, and less likely to require long-term care.
From an article in The Gerontologist, 2006, 46, 726-734, by Gene D. Cohen, Susan Peristein, Jeff Chapline, Jeanne Kelly, Kimberly M. Firth and Samuel Simmens
A recent year-long research project shows that engagement in cultural activities makes for happier, healthier seniors. The project focused on people with an average age of 80 who either volunteered to join a singing group that met once a week at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., or they were recruited to be in a comparison group.
The music group sang in a professionally conducted chorale for 30 weeks, and in addition they gave several concerts during this period. Baseline measures of physical health and medical treatments were taken, as well as scores on a morale scale, a loneliness scale, a depression scale, and a survey of social activities. Participants kept a journal of doctor visits and lists of medications they were taking. Researchers took care that the differences between the groups were controlled for in all analyses. While at baseline there were 166 participants, 12 months later there were 141. About 80 percent were women, and most of the participants were white (92 percent).
The results from this year-long study were highly favorable to those who participated in the musical program. They reported a higher level of physical health, had fewer doctor visits, used less medication, and had fewer falls and other health problems. They also reported better morale, less loneliness, and they had a more active social life at the end of the year; the comparison group's social activities showed a decline.
This study supports the view that serious engagement in cultural activities, such as music and artistic programs, supports healthful behavior in other realms as well. A lively culturally-engaged older population is one that is more likely to be self-directed and fulfilled, and less likely to require long-term care.
From an article in The Gerontologist, 2006, 46, 726-734, by Gene D. Cohen, Susan Peristein, Jeff Chapline, Jeanne Kelly, Kimberly M. Firth and Samuel Simmens
Friday, August 3, 2007
REVIEWERS
It's a wonderful idea to have reviews on the web site. However, this raises a credibility issue. Every show so far has gotten glowing reviews. It gives one pause. In the first year of the A.T. G.'s existence we should be careful about a perception of self gratification. I have heard reports that the reviewers are almost to chummy with the actors the minute they walk into the theatre. This does not bode well towards the objective approach that a reviewer should have. We must be careful. Too many glowing reviews is just as bad as too many bad reviews. People stop believing that they should see a show based on that reviewer's comments. Arthur said it at the last general meeting. Creditability is sacrificed. If there needs to be more people to review, I might be able to suggest some that would have a better eye and understanding of looking at a show from the perspective of production values and won't be afraid to call a spade a spade. Remember, Credibility. -JH
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
