I expected fireworks at today's Conversations with Martha Teichner but what I got instead was an hour and a half of lively, interesting, honest theater talk.
Martha hosted Lee Breuer, Maude Mitchell, Ricardo Gil and Mark Povinelli of Mabou Mines Dollhouse and I expected fireworks because I knew that Breuer was hot under the collar about what P&C writer Blair Tindall wrote in her overview column.
Martha knew this too and opened by telling the audience that Breuer was mad and this was his time to vent. So the stage was set for him to blast his nemesis but instead he gave a fairly restrained and well-thought out explanation of why he had a problem with Blair's assessment of his production.
I was a little disappointed. I was thinking it might come to fisticuffs but it was all quite civil. Yes, he did say having Blair review his play was like a classical reviewer review hip hop or vice versa. And he did say she was ignorant and matronizing. And Maude wondered aloud what it was about the play and its casting that was threatening to Blair and Ricardo said he took offense to Blair determining what he should feel exploited by when he was having the time of his life and having the opportunity to play the role of a life.
But on the whole, it was a conversation about theater. About the choices the actors and director made for the production. About Ibsen and A Doll's House in general. About feminism and what it meant then and means now. About racism, heightism and chauvinism. About Mark's wonderful final scene. About Maude's nudity. About Ricardo's wife. It was about theater and the people who make it.
And truth be told, like the play or not, Mabou Mines Dollhouse has added spice to this year's festival. Yes, Don Giovanni may be spectacular and Savion Glover exciting (yes, he was here this year, remember?) but what Spoleto 2005 will be remembered for in years to come is Mabou Mines Dollhouse.
I can't wait until Lee Breuer brings us his next production.
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