A Night at the Circus
For some reason, I have been taking a lot of entertainment from circus related stories in the past couple of weeks. I'm not sure when this became a theme as I was never really fond of circuses, but I suppose they tend to hold an air of mystery and magic (Cirque du Soleil is a prime example, and so is the circus from Big Fish come to think of that). And being drawn to fantasy, intrigue, and good story-telling, it doesn't seem too far-fetched that I would find circus drama so compelling.
Interestingly enough, circus dramas are very self-aware. It's been a very meta ride.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This is a book that I picked up after doing a Google search for books to read and combing through GoodReads reviews. I wasn't really sure what to expect as there seemed to be polarizing opinions towards this book, but I absolutely loved it. I don't want to give too much away, as what makes this story so alluring is the mystery that keeps you wanting more, but I can give a brief synopsis.
The Night Circus is the story of two enchanters, Celia and Marco, who are bound together by their instructors in a vaguely defined competition to showcase their skills. The circus acts as the playing field, being more than what it seems. But as the game carries on, Celia and Marco's actions have unseen repercussions on the whole circus, performers and spectators alike, including a young boy named Bailey who is instrumental in securing future of the circus. Told through intertwining storylines of the past and present, The Night Circus carries an air of mystery throughout its pages. Author Erin Morgenstern crafts a beautifully detailed world for the reader to lose themselves in. The story is strangely aware of itself and its position in the greater scheme of faded memories and forgotten tales. Its mystical aura is present in every page you turn, the world of the circus created through details of of every sense. Along with the characters, we learn that the future is not set in stone, that we all have the power to change it through our dreams, beliefs, and spoken word. The magical ride is so engrossing that you can fly through it all in no time, but those who slow down to take in the details will be rewarded. For if you pay close attention, you'll find yourself entangled within a story that ties itself together in a most intricately elegant way.
Pippin (The US National Tour - SF Edition)
Part broadway show, part circus, part comedic act, and part sing-along, Pippin is perhaps one of the most, well for lack of a better word, interesting musicals I have ever seen. If you're looking for solid plot and a straightforward story, I'm sorry to say that Pippin will disappoint you dearly. If you're looking for a social commentary about the depravity of the 1%, despite the existence of a revolution scene, you'll be sorely crestfallen. But if you're looking for a night of magic, high flying acrobatics, splendid performers with top notch voices and smooth moves, and a character with #firstworldproblems, this show is for you. Now let me clarify. I don't mean that in a bad way, because I of all people have more first world problems than you can imagine, and what made Pippin resonant with me so much was that the titular character embarks on a journey to find something fulfilling in life and is able to find it in something completely ordinary despite thinking himself extraordinary. Sorry if that was a spoiler.
But this show is just as much about you, the audience, as it is about Pippin. Constantly breaking the fourth wall, the Leading Player invites us all on a splendid journey. This is a true piece of theater that could never be adapted into a movie as the show changes each night with its audience. It captures the splendor of live theater in all its glory. There are talents in this cast the likes of which I have never seen on a stage. You'll oooh. You'll ahhh. You'll laugh. You'll...well, you probably won't cry. But there will be moments that stun you speechless. Pippin is not for the feint of heart, literally. There are strobe lights, fire, battles, and shit. But it also deals with some rather conventional heavy subject matter in a most unconventional setting, surrounded by death defying acts from the whole cast!
And speaking of the cast, it contains some well known names too. There's Sasha Allen from the fourth season of 'The Voice'. Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and the most nimble 63 year old woman I have ever seen. John Rubinstein, the original Pippin of 1972. And of course, Matthew James Thomas of Billy Elliot (where he gets punched in the face as an 11 year old by Jamie Bell!) and Britannia High fame, who incidentally also originated the revival role of Pippin on Broadway last year. I didn't have the opportunity to see the show when I was in New York last summer, but I'm 95% sure I passed him on the street one day. Oh! And I can't forget the puppy, who is just a scene stealer ;) Apparently on Broadway, it was actually Matthew James Thomas' dog Porridge... not sure if that's the case on the national tour though. Regardless, that is one very cute and very talented canine!
(Edit: After watching this video and reading this tweet I'm gonna bump that up to 99.999% because a. I thought I had seen a blond replica of him, but it turns out he changed his hair color! and b. I was walking down 9th Ave when I thought I passed him.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is, go see it if you get the chance. There's some pretty amazing stuff in this show. But you have to watch it with an open mind or I promise you'll be that guy or gal leaving the theater saying "Well what was so great about that?" Do us all a favor, and don't be that person because a show like this needs an attentive audience to work. A show like this deserves an attentive audience. A show like this deserves to work.
Interestingly enough, circus dramas are very self-aware. It's been a very meta ride.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This is a book that I picked up after doing a Google search for books to read and combing through GoodReads reviews. I wasn't really sure what to expect as there seemed to be polarizing opinions towards this book, but I absolutely loved it. I don't want to give too much away, as what makes this story so alluring is the mystery that keeps you wanting more, but I can give a brief synopsis.
The Night Circus is the story of two enchanters, Celia and Marco, who are bound together by their instructors in a vaguely defined competition to showcase their skills. The circus acts as the playing field, being more than what it seems. But as the game carries on, Celia and Marco's actions have unseen repercussions on the whole circus, performers and spectators alike, including a young boy named Bailey who is instrumental in securing future of the circus. Told through intertwining storylines of the past and present, The Night Circus carries an air of mystery throughout its pages. Author Erin Morgenstern crafts a beautifully detailed world for the reader to lose themselves in. The story is strangely aware of itself and its position in the greater scheme of faded memories and forgotten tales. Its mystical aura is present in every page you turn, the world of the circus created through details of of every sense. Along with the characters, we learn that the future is not set in stone, that we all have the power to change it through our dreams, beliefs, and spoken word. The magical ride is so engrossing that you can fly through it all in no time, but those who slow down to take in the details will be rewarded. For if you pay close attention, you'll find yourself entangled within a story that ties itself together in a most intricately elegant way.Pippin (The US National Tour - SF Edition)
Part broadway show, part circus, part comedic act, and part sing-along, Pippin is perhaps one of the most, well for lack of a better word, interesting musicals I have ever seen. If you're looking for solid plot and a straightforward story, I'm sorry to say that Pippin will disappoint you dearly. If you're looking for a social commentary about the depravity of the 1%, despite the existence of a revolution scene, you'll be sorely crestfallen. But if you're looking for a night of magic, high flying acrobatics, splendid performers with top notch voices and smooth moves, and a character with #firstworldproblems, this show is for you. Now let me clarify. I don't mean that in a bad way, because I of all people have more first world problems than you can imagine, and what made Pippin resonant with me so much was that the titular character embarks on a journey to find something fulfilling in life and is able to find it in something completely ordinary despite thinking himself extraordinary. Sorry if that was a spoiler.
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| Picture courtesy of: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/166412/first-broadway-revival-of-pippin-sets-dates-at-the-music-box-theatre/ |
And speaking of the cast, it contains some well known names too. There's Sasha Allen from the fourth season of 'The Voice'. Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and the most nimble 63 year old woman I have ever seen. John Rubinstein, the original Pippin of 1972. And of course, Matthew James Thomas of Billy Elliot (where he gets punched in the face as an 11 year old by Jamie Bell!) and Britannia High fame, who incidentally also originated the revival role of Pippin on Broadway last year. I didn't have the opportunity to see the show when I was in New York last summer, but I'm 95% sure I passed him on the street one day. Oh! And I can't forget the puppy, who is just a scene stealer ;) Apparently on Broadway, it was actually Matthew James Thomas' dog Porridge... not sure if that's the case on the national tour though. Regardless, that is one very cute and very talented canine!(Edit: After watching this video and reading this tweet I'm gonna bump that up to 99.999% because a. I thought I had seen a blond replica of him, but it turns out he changed his hair color! and b. I was walking down 9th Ave when I thought I passed him.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is, go see it if you get the chance. There's some pretty amazing stuff in this show. But you have to watch it with an open mind or I promise you'll be that guy or gal leaving the theater saying "Well what was so great about that?" Do us all a favor, and don't be that person because a show like this needs an attentive audience to work. A show like this deserves an attentive audience. A show like this deserves to work.
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