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[Jane]

That's good.

[bk]

I was trying to watch the 1932 Les Miserables - but it's just too turgid and slow - but boy does it have a reputation.

[George]

Is anybody watching the new Masterpiece Theatre LES MISERABLES?

I haven't been.  Is it good...or supposed to be good?

[elmore3003]

Is anybody watching the new Masterpiece Theatre LES MISERABLES?

I haven't been.  Is it good...or supposed to be good?

It began last night, and I have seen none of it.  I probably sound racist here - and I do not mean to = but I have a problem with non-traditional casting in historic works.  I'm pretty certain that in 1830 France Inspector Javert was not a black policeman.  This historic anomaly doesn't seem to bother the BBC, who cast a black actress as Nancy in their last version of Oliver Twist.  To me it's as wrong as casting a white or Asian  cast for Porgy and Bess or Audra McDonald to play Mary Todd Lincoln.

[Jane]

I don't think it is racist and I get it.  They did this in Ashland at the Shakespeare Festival.  It drove Keith crazy more than it bothered me.  Our problem wasn't so much the historical inaccuracy, but when families were impossibly mixed.  Plus it was difficult figuring out who was related to whom.  I still recall watching "The Three Sisters" and each sister was a different race, and I forget what the brother was. 

[bk]

Yes, color-blind casting only seems to be a one-way street, which I find noxious.

[bk]

Finished liner notes.  Chose more songs and only have three more to go, so that's good.

[George]

Non-traditional casting doesn't bother me.  I figure if the story itself doesn't specifically address a character's ethnicity (like Show Boat, Miss Saigon, or Ragtime), it's not important to me what the ethnicity of the actor is, as long as they're a good actor.  I've seen a lot of shows with racially diverse casts and I guess I've just gotten used to it. 

Just my 2¢.

[Jane]

Reuters took some incredible photos today 
https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/pictures-report-idUSRTX6RS6E?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR158ErYNbtfrVMxbKvdZ57IbfqP1cFgUOV6_ZD-jfe2pWf-NlCdGhTjcu8

[Jane]

Yes, color-blind casting only seems to be a one-way street, which I find noxious.

Well it kind of used to be the other way around.  Don't forget Lawrence Olivia as Othello

[George]

But then, there was the "photo-negative production of Othello"...Patrick Stewart:

[George]

And:

[Jrand73]

I am watching tennis and hockey.....most entertaining.

[Jrand73]

Of course the TOD makes me want to listen to some fine dance music on various Broadway CDs and LPs.

[Jane]

But then, there was the "photo-negative production of Othello"...Patrick Stewart:

Interesting. 

[Jane]

And:

Oh, the cast was all black except for Stuart.  He was Othello, not the woman.

[vixmom]

On a happy note, I walked outside to go to the corner bodega and ran smack into our former super Val!

Was anyone hurt in the collision?

[George]

And:

Oh, the cast was all black except for Stuart.  He was Othello, not the woman.

[vixmom]

I would just like to announce that little vixmom is bookless no more

[vixmom]

The Magic arrived today

[George]

The Magic arrived today

That's great!

[George]

And now, I must leave.  I'm going to my sister's for a little bit, then I'll head home.

Be back later.

[John G.]

DR George, I thought there was no good dance music in the musical disaster called Thoroughly Modern Millie. I've rarely detested a show so much.  I thought there was absolutely nothing good about the show at all.  Talk about making a fun but messy movie into one pathetically inept musical!

But the movie had that great dance number, The Tapioca!

[John G.]

Yes, color-blind casting only seems to be a one-way street, which I find noxious.

Well it kind of used to be the other way around.  Don't forget Lawrence Olivia as Othello

Olivia is about right. That was a horrible performance. And a not very good one from Maggie Smith either.

[John G.]

Is anybody watching the new Masterpiece Theatre LES MISERABLES?

I haven't been.  Is it good...or supposed to be good?

It began last night, and I have seen none of it.  I probably sound racist here - and I do not mean to = but I have a problem with non-traditional casting in historic works.  I'm pretty certain that in 1830 France Inspector Javert was not a black policeman.  This historic anomaly doesn't seem to bother the BBC, who cast a black actress as Nancy in their last version of Oliver Twist.  To me it's as wrong as casting a white or Asian  cast for Porgy and Bess or Audra McDonald to play Mary Todd Lincoln.

Watching Mary Poppins Returns and am finding the same with the black lawyer.

[John G.]

The 2019 Nobel Prizes have been announced.  The winner for drama is Fairview, by Jackie Sibblies Drury.

Or the Pulitzers, at least.

[John G.]

The 2019 Nobel Prizes have been announced.  The winner for drama is Fairview, by Jackie Sibblies Drury.

Thanks for the list.  I have had "The Overstory" on my list of books to read.  I expect the number of people behind me in the library queue will grow.

I am 80 percent through and it's due back in five days. I hope I get the chance to finish it without paying a fine. Because I will pay the fine.

[bk]

I've always stayed away from Schoenberg because, you know, everyone says it's noisy serialism.  I don't know at what point THAT kicked in, but I am listening to Verklarte Nacht, which is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard in my life, but it's the later piece that it's coupled with that's really blowing me away - Pelleas and Melisande - it's stunning.  So what pieces was I being warned about because it sure ain't these.

[FJL]

The 2019 Nobel Prizes have been announced.  The winner for drama is Fairview, by Jackie Sibblies Drury.

Or the Pulitzers, at least.

I haven't seen "Fairview," but Jackie Sibblies Drury's recent play "Marys Seacole" at Lincoln Center Theater was really excellent.
 

[John G.]

Time has run out this week already, or so it seems.