MBS Productions’ list of bad moments in 2008 DFW performing arts

by Mark-Brian Sonna of MBS Productions

Earlier I submitted some of the best stage moments in the DFW theatre scene for the year. Now its time for me to dole out the “Gassy” awards. Fortunately, few productions I saw this year stunk, but there were a few instances where things went noticeably awry. Like passing gas, we all do it, so this isn’t a permanent reflection of those performers and shows. It just means they oopsed. So in the spirit of fun I present to you my list:

1) “UGH! ARGH! OH NO!” were my opening lines to my review of Salome at the Dallas Opera. The entire production was derailed by some very questionable choices made by the director John Lloyd Davies. The worst: John the Baptist’s head is served on a silver platter, and we all know this fact going in to the opera, but what we didn’t expect was it to be raised up from a hole in the stage using the 5 finger method of balancing a tray – the way its done in fine-dining establishments. To cap it all off once the tray is lifted off a flourish of the hand is done and immediately recessed back into the opening. The effect was a bit like a Looney Tunes cartoon moment. Absolutely inappropriate for the tragedy being presented. The result? Gales of laughter from the audience.

2) Shakespeare for the Modern Man - Lesson 1: Macbeth by Scott A. Eckert at ICT was actually a very clever show, well designed and overall well acted. The problem? Too long. Mr. Eckert has a flair for comedy and by presenting Macbeth in both the Bard’s original speak and his modern “translation” he demonstrates he is geniously clever. But the cleverness wore off after an hour. A strong edit would make the production zing.

3) The grim hour and a half watching Dallas Children’s Theater’s The Giver. I have nothing against grim plays or dark fairytales but I’m not sure this was a children’s play or even one for teens. Granted, the play is based on an award-winning book for children; but this production was so heavy handed, oblique, so dark and so disturbing that I couldn’t help but wonder if the topic of infanticide would have been better served if the play had been directed to mature audiences.

4) The set for Company of Rowlett Performers’ play Clue. It was so monstrously big and so cumbersome that regardless of the talent on stage there was no way for the actors to go from Point A to Point B without them surmounting obstacle upon obstacle of furniture. For a zany comedy about murder, the set killed the pace and killed the show.

5) Dallas Summer Musicals' High School Musical suffered from too busy a staging. While the talent was impressive, it was hard to pick out who was speaking or singing because no one ever stood still. It was a “Where’s Waldo” experience trying to figure out who was talking. To top it off, the choreography was so convoluted that it all appeared as a headache inducing blur.

While all these shows listed had their really bad moments, there was something redeeming in each of them. Unfortunately, there was one show that stood out that I must mention:

6) I must confess that I am a bit of a voyeur but after seeing The Angry Dominatrix’s regional premiere of My Boyfriend, The Stripper by Ronnie Larsen I had no desires to see a penis again…and I’m gay!

So that is it! Here’s to a succesful theatre year in 2009!