Falling in Love Again
Posted by David New on 3/30/2006
Well, the cast, crew, and creative team are approaching the first public preview of John Kolvenbach’s Love Song tonight. A week and a half ago, the cast, director, and stage managers moved from the rehearsal hall, located down the street, into the theatre where they were joined by the designers and production crew. After an intensive period called “technical rehearsals” or “tech” which included a number of twelve hour work days, they arrived at the final dress rehearsal last night. It has been a longstanding tradition at Steppenwolf to invite veterans of former wars to the final dress rehearsal and it is always an honor to have them in the theatre. They tend to be a very lively and responsive audience and they are a tremendous presence as the actors begin bridging rehearsal and performance. Dennis Zacek, Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theatre, refers to the audience, the final element to be added to the production process, as “the great teacher.”
So we anxiously await your coming to the theatre to see the show, and hope that when you do you will feel free to post a comment here on the blog about your experience of it. As Spring unfolds in Chicago, this is the perfect show to see, full of new beginnings, reawakenings, and hope.
March 31st, 2006 at 10:22 am
Hello. First I would like to say how much I loved the show last night. It was great to see a comedy at Steppenwolf! This is a performance not to be missed. the casting was wonderful.
I was upset, however, that there was no break. It’s really hard for me to sit that long and not stretch my legs and go to the bathroom. They always tell me I can’t leave or I won’t be able to go back to my seat. I don’t understand that either. I think this show is too long without having an intermission. Talking to my friends after the performance, I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. Is there something that I’m missing? I do love your theatre but don’t want to be uncompfortable.
March 31st, 2006 at 10:47 am
I would like to respond to Mr. Thomas’ entry above. I whole heartedly agree. I loved the show; it was so wonderful to see the work of four truly talented actors, but I too think that there should have been an intermission. I attend theater almost once a week, in part because I love the art form and also in part because I like to socialize with my friends. Intermission gives us a chance not only to discuss the show but also to have a bathroom break! This is the second show in your season without an intermission; I hope you’ll consider adding one for the next play.
April 2nd, 2006 at 7:16 pm
I loved the show! I laughed out loud for the first time in a long time. Thanks Steppenwolf.
April 2nd, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Show was very good. I was disappointed though when I found out I could not order drinks in advance for half time since there was no half time. That is my favorite part! You can’t do that at other theatres. When they said the show was almost 2 hours I thought for sure I could get my intermission treat!
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Didn’t Step have a sign up mentioning that there won’t be an intermission? That’s common in most theatres.
Looking forward to see the play in June.
Jo
April 6th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
The sign may not always be up during the early previews.
And you poor babies–you seem to have no problem going to the movies and seeing a 100 to 120-minute film plus previews, the Fandango paper bags and the Fantanas. Granted, it’s easier to sneak out to the johnny at the movies, but if you have to go, do it before the show starts. If the playwright thinks the story has to be continuous, that is how Steppenwolf is going to do it.
And the reason you can’t go in and out of the theater is that when those doors open, light comes in and annoys the hell out of the actors and the audience. You are at the theater–this is not television. You have to be controlled by the play, not vice versa. Deal with it.
And for those of you who consider drinking more important than art, need I remind that there are many fine establishments near the theater where you can drink to your heart’s content after the show, for perhaps lower prices and more likely a wider selection of potables than the Steppenwolf bar offers.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Hey Mark,
Thank you for your posting. You wrote, “If the playwright thinks the story has to be continuous, that is how Steppenwolf is going to do it.” You are absolutely correct. The director of the play, Austin Pendleton, respected John Kolvenbach’s desire that the play be performed without an intermission.
However, after sitting in the house through a number of previews, our playwright changed his mind. The experience of seeing the production while sitting in the audience convinced him that his play was better served by including an intermission. One again, the audience proved to be a “great teacher” and the show now has an intermission based on the artistic decision of the director and playwright.
Come see it and enjoy a drink and the opportunity to chat with your fellow audience members during the newly-instated intermission!
April 7th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
I attended the show last night and I thought it was absolutely wonderful! What a beautiful, sexy, delightful new play! This is my fifth season coming to Steppenwolf and I have to admit that this has been my favorite show so far. Bravo to the actors, director and playwright. I would like to personally thank you for a lovely evening.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
I have to say… I’ve always felt that an intermission is awkward in its convention because it makes the play “start over” again. I think scripts that don’t “do” an intermission correctly are those that assume you are emotionally able to pick right up where you’ve left off. And that’s usually just not the case.
I sort of feel the same way about blackouts. They bug me.
Do black out bug other people too?
ps. i can’t wait to see the LOVE SONG! (even though there’s an intermission now…)