Morning T and Slicers,
James just left for home after an action-packed visit. Everything about our time together was great: great food at home and in restaurants, great conversations, great music, a great movie, Hidden Figures but sadly. two new plays at Signature Theater left both of us frustrated and uninspired and that ironically, was our motivation for this visit.
The foundation of our 30 year friendship began and flourished as we shared of our love for theater at our schools and in our own lives. We bought a joint subscription this year at the Signature Theater to continue this shared passion and support an off-broadway theater community. Signature has changed their focus in the last few years. In the past, they focused each season on a particular playwright. Tuvia and I were subscribers and James often attended their productions as well. It was a fantastic approach to experience the work of great playwrights.
When Signature moved into their new space they also focused this productions on alumni from their playwriting program and that’s a great thing, unless the new plays just don’t measure up and there’s the rub!
We sat through two plays: Everybody and Wakey, Wakey, that left us shrugging our shoulders. New plays, young playwrights, reasonable ticket prices, great theater spaces and damn, we were bored by both. Neither play engaged us, involved us or created interesting characters in a play structure we could follow.
But… except for the plays, we had a great time together and yes, we will continue to show up for more plays at Signature. The next set will be scheduled for May with fingers crossed. Good thing about NYC, if we don’t feel that it’s worthwhile to stay with Signature we have lots of choices.
Here’s to a new day, new plays… and early morning sunshine… and maybe spring after the next snowstorm hits on Tuesday.
Bonnie S.
Digital Bonnie 
Sounds as if the weekend, nonetheless, was quote excellent. I too liked Hidden Figures. I found it up lifting.
I love that you have this long standing friendship and shared interest in theater. Sorry the new plays weren’t as good as some- but you are right- lots of choices in NYC. Your words make me want to visit New York soon. Always so energizing.
You must always look at plays in a different way than the typical audience, seeing all of the invisible work that goes on to make (or not make) as show engaging and interesting.
Kevin
There are sone basics
A good play, good acting and drama
We didn’t see any of that
Oh well, that’s theater for you…but you had great company and that counts more.
You don’t know if you will like something until you try it. You took the gamble. At least you had good food, good companionship. and good conversation.
So sad the plays didn’t deliver the quality you were hoping for. The best part is having someone to share the experience with so you can both moan and groan. 🙂
Always good to try the new ideas. I’m glad you had a nice weekend, nevertheless. Elsie said it well, when it’s bad or good, nice to talk about it.
Friendships like this were meant to last a lifetime. Glad you had a nice weekend despite the bad plays. I was moved by “Hidden Figures” and was rooting for it to win the Oscar.