Comments on: ‘Poe & All That Jazz’ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/2008/07/19/guest-hip-shot-poe-all-that-jazz/ Blogging the Capital Fringe Festival 2009 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:41:16 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marvin http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/2008/07/19/guest-hip-shot-poe-all-that-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-10617 Marvin Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:10:52 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/?p=172#comment-10617 A truly remarkable performance all around. I am by no means a Poe aficionado however this script really entertains. I found myself having to go home and read up on some Poe to clarify the excellently blurred lines of Poe's life, letters and writings but it was well worth it. The highlight of the show was definitely the synthesis of Poe's poetry and jazz classic. The alternating poetic lines with timed musical lines was masterfully handled by Bennetta & Ryan which is by no means an easy feat. Both performers managed to translate every emotion of Poe's life/stories without the often obvious transitional character gaps found in stage theater. Both performed amazingly the eerie, witty, love-torn, nuances needed to pull off such a unique piece. Bennetta and Ryan's touch and depth of musical talent added tremendously to the overall experience. Quite obviously the performance hinged on the succesful integration of music into the whole and their sensitively adept performance was sublime - Never overbearing always enhancing. note* Unfortunately for any performers in the venue of the Harman Center Forum room, your are most likely to be forced to listen to the only slightly muted sounds of the neighboring amateur opera. Its sad that this brand new (and otherwise wonderful facility) was not able to appropriately deal with acoustics between performance rooms. A truly remarkable performance all around. I am by no means a Poe aficionado however this script really entertains. I found myself having to go home and read up on some Poe to clarify the excellently blurred lines of Poe’s life, letters and writings but it was well worth it. The highlight of the show was definitely the synthesis of Poe’s poetry and jazz classic. The alternating poetic lines with timed musical lines was masterfully handled by Bennetta & Ryan which is by no means an easy feat.

Both performers managed to translate every emotion of Poe’s life/stories without the often obvious transitional character gaps found in stage theater. Both performed amazingly the eerie, witty, love-torn, nuances needed to pull off such a unique piece.

Bennetta and Ryan’s touch and depth of musical talent added tremendously to the overall experience. Quite obviously the performance hinged on the succesful integration of music into the whole and their sensitively adept performance was sublime – Never overbearing always enhancing.

note* Unfortunately for any performers in the venue of the Harman Center Forum room, your are most likely to be forced to listen to the only slightly muted sounds of the neighboring amateur opera. Its sad that this brand new (and otherwise wonderful facility) was not able to appropriately deal with acoustics between performance rooms.

]]> By: Dan http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/2008/07/19/guest-hip-shot-poe-all-that-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-10610 Dan Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:25:30 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/?p=172#comment-10610 WOW! I knew it was going to be a great show when Patti Finn entered the room. She was radiant inspite of her ghostly makeup, but a banshee she was not. This lady brought it to the Harman in a delicious way. Jon Cobb's suprise entrance got things rolling, and boy did he deliver. He made Poe feel so entirely unabstract. I don't know where in the hell Nellysford Virginia is, but I know it is lucky to have Hamner Theater. Bravo! WOW! I knew it was going to be a great show when Patti Finn entered the room. She was radiant inspite of her ghostly makeup, but a banshee she was not. This lady brought it to the Harman in a delicious way. Jon Cobb’s suprise entrance got things rolling, and boy did he deliver. He made Poe feel so entirely unabstract. I don’t know where in the hell Nellysford Virginia is, but I know it is lucky to have Hamner Theater. Bravo!

]]> By: Rory http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/2008/07/19/guest-hip-shot-poe-all-that-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-10604 Rory Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:54:10 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/?p=172#comment-10604 This show was awesome! The script, the use of the jazz standards, and especially the performances were outstanding. I loved it. This show was awesome! The script, the use of the jazz standards, and especially the performances were outstanding. I loved it.

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