Last night, when we turned on the television, we realized there wasn’t much to watch. We used to be news junkies. But now, with all the Trump-boasting and spoiled-brat-liberal America bashing, we’re fed up with cable news, or anything coming out of Washington DC. The opening scene on the Hallmark channel began with a car load of puppies, which didn’t seem very exciting. In desperation, we turned to a channel featuring an old 90’s movie. Just for a while, we were able to laugh and forget about the dismal state of politics in our nation. Thank you, Mrs. Doubtfire.

The late nineties was the heyday of movies with female impersonators

FEMALE IMPERSONATORS ARE PROBABLY AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

I don’t think shows like Mrs. Doubtfire, Tootsie, and La Cage are going to be doing any updated versions. Female impersonators are probably an endangered species. When the far left politicians run out of things to protest, they’re probably going to start in on what they see as politically incorrect comedians. . Remember when blackface was a show business staple? I don’t imagine you will ever see Al Jolson singing Mammy ever again on television. And now, some feminists are starting in on drag queens.

Female impersonators will soon be on the Hollywood blacklist. It won’t be long before the liberal crowd takes on actors like Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. Robin won’t have to defend himself, but Dustin is still hanging around somewhere in California, I guess. The late nineties were probably the beginning of the end for funny films where men dressed up like ladies and everyone loved them–including women.

When I go about my business in the Heartland, I encounter ordinary, polite, calm men and women. They don’t seem particularly angry about anything. Whether they are black, white, Asian, or Muslim, they don’t appear hostile or worked up about what’s going on in the world. They just want to get on with their lives. And I have to believe most of them are sick and tired of politicians and the news coming out of Washington DC

Thanks again, Mrs. Doubtfire., for an entertaining evening.

Many young people never attend live theater. It’s not surprising, when you think of all the movies and shows available on television and Netflix, 24/7. Why waste your time getting dressed up, drive somewhere and find a parking place? Once inside the theater, you’re stuck . You can’t get up and go to the bathroom or grab a beer whenever you feel the urge. But wait. When you’ve settled down, and the curtain rises, there’s a rush of anticipation unlike anything you feel when watching a movie. It’s the magic of live theater.

Live theatre has an immediacy you don't experience at the movies — YOU FEEL A RUSH OF ANTICIPATION, WAITING FOR THE CURTAIN TO RISE

Actors appear as real people, not some two dimensional image you see on a movie screen. If you’re up close enough, you might see one actor slightly trembling with a bit of stage fright. You’re rooting for him, and soon he’s doing just fine. Audience and actors are interacting. If it’s a comedy, we hear real laughter, not the canned stuff you hear on television. Yes, that was really funny, not just meant to be funny.

People in smaller communities don’t often see professional actors on stage. But most cities have community theater and that’s where the spirit of live theater thrives. These are unpaid volunteers involved with acting and stagecraft just because they love it. Sometimes, they appear a little miscast. The romantic leads may be a bit overweight, or too something or other. But once the story unfolds, we’re into the plot, not caring whether they look like movie stars, although some of them do.

There’s an immediacy to live theater. You’re watching the show with a crowd of like minded people, some of them neighbors and friends. You feel part of the action, and identify with the actors, forgiving them a few gaffes .

When the show is over, and they form a receiving line in the lobby, I get a little tongue tied. But my husband can’t wait to speak with each actor, complimenting them on their performance, and thanking them for entertaining us. As we drive away from the theater, we discuss the play and decide which actor stole the show. And when we arrive home, we may sit down with a glass of wine to celebrate what a good time we’ve had.

Viva live theater!

Tag: movies

THANK YOU, MRS. DOUBTFIRE

THE MAGIC OF LIVE THEATER

There’s an immediacy to live theater. You’re watching the show with a crowd of like minded people, some of them neighbors and friends. You feel part of the action, and identify with the actors, forgiving them a few gaffes .