Jan 1, 2025

S76 - DEAR JAMES Adapted by Sally Childs - 3m, 2w

 Based on Jon Hassler novel.

Labels:

posted by Greg at 5:46 PM

4 Comments:

Blogger Greg said...

PREVIOUS COMMENTS:

Dwight said...
I like this.I thought the girl was a bit of a callous slag, but that's what it's about. Nice character relationship with the woman and the priest and how they work out their shock and differences. I have no idea who Hassler is and I don't think our audience would either. But that makes no difference to me. A good play done well is what we are about.

Howard said...
I don't find it that interesting. If not for the Hassler connection, I would say no. If, in fact, Hassler's name will draw a significant audience, I would keep it in the mix for now.

Jean said...
I found it slow, but I think the mounting of a Jon Hassler play is a good idea. Would we automatically ask Sally to direct it? She has name recognition in the theater community, but I've never seen her work. I've only worked with her in a marketing capacity.

Kristen said...
I saw all three productions that Sally Childs did for The Lyric/Jon Hassler Theaters and they all played better than the script reads. Much of the charm is in the characters and their onstage relationships. The comedy in the French-Imogene scenes is quite funny, especially if French is played true to his book character and if Imogene is played like the despicable person she is. For the Hassler fans, these are all iconic characters that appear in multiple books. The Agatha Magee character is especially well loved. It would be good to take advantage of the appeal that Hassler probably continues to have in the state.

Steph Long said...
I like this, but I'm sure that as more to do with the fact that I fell in love with these characters 20 years ago when I read the books and have not revisited them since than it does with the strength of this script. I do however trust the world Hassler has created to translate to the stage. Plus he had a following and perhaps we could create a new following to eventually replace our Agatha slot. I vote yes.

Harold Edwards said...
No. This is a pedestrian play that has no unity of action. What do the letters to James have to do with Agatha's vote in favor of Imogene? If we are desperate for Minnesota writers then we should produce Sidney Howard's dramatization of Sinclare Lewis' Dodsworth.

Arona said...
While I am not familiar with Jon Hassler's books, this play seems to be a good introduction to his characters. If he has a following, then my vote is Yes.

Stu said...
Good God, I'm only on page six and we've already had an epistolary segment, a flash back, and a voice over... oh, and a scene of stilted dialog. I don't have much hope here. I'm totally ignorant of the Jon Hassler phenomenon. I found the play a stilted mess. A "no" for me.

4:05 PM  
Blogger Scott G said...

Cumbersome and clunky and I could not engage. I have no connection to the source material and I have no interest in seeing this come to life.

12:44 AM  
Blogger Larisa said...

I was a bit confused. I think you need to know the characters and be familiar with Jon Hassler work to "get it" - maybe if the director and actors where really familiar with those works it would come together, but it doesn't really stand on its own without a bit of help. Great roles for older actors, but this is another book adaptation that doesn't quite land theatrically - for me anyway. It might be a draw for some audiences, which would be reason to keep it in the mix, but it will need some work to make it work theatrically for a general audience not familiar with these characters.

11:41 AM  
Blogger Melissa said...

Not a fan. There were moments, and lines that I found endearing, but not enough to keep me engaged. There may be merit to previous comments regarding Hassler fans and the works generally playing better than they read... but it feels like a risk

4:21 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home