tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post9212517806537301781..comments2024-02-14T20:40:25.389-05:00Comments on JAMES KARAS - REVIEWS AND VIEWS: BLIND DATE – REVIEW OF NORTHAN CREATION AT TARRAGON James Karashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713238235746109608noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-85048225844077537692015-09-24T23:53:20.376-04:002015-09-24T23:53:20.376-04:00See above guy....it's meant to be tongue in ch...See above guy....it's meant to be tongue in cheek! He LIKED IT! Five stars, lots of praise....lost the thread a bit, but not meant to be an insult!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-45952343418038248222015-09-24T21:44:29.955-04:002015-09-24T21:44:29.955-04:00Well, the dates aren't chosen "at random,...Well, the dates aren't chosen "at random," are they? They're chosen based on a combination of Northan's extensive practice as an improviser, actor, and communicator (or "training"), and basic interpersonal emotional resonance (vulgarly known as "chemistry"). I also don't really get why you'd give it five stars and then describe the show as a sham and imagine that its best elements are illusory only.<br /><br />But what bothers me most about the accusation that Northan is rigging her dates is that your assumption is sexist. It is an argument founded on two assumptions: 1) that one woman couldn't possibly be well-trained and talented enough to improvise successfully and entertainingly as consistently as Northan does, and 2) that there is a vast armada of male actors who are SO talented that even the total unknowns among them (they would have to be unknowns, lest they be recognized by the viewer) can convince an entire audience that their alleged well-rehearsed acting is actually just the natural, awkward gregariousness of an unprepared volunteer. In short, you'd rather believe 300 men are legendary actors than believe that one woman is a gifted and practiced improviser. That's ridiculous, and I'm surprised that someone who has seen as much theatre as you have could so profoundly misunderstand how performance, interaction, and staging work.<br /><br />Blind Date is 90 minutes of utter joy; its awkwardnesses are real, vulnerable moments of humanity that total strangers are laying bare for each other, and for us, and that's where its beauty comes from. If you don't see in Northan's performances that she is engaging in this process of discovery alongside her dates, and that her talent lies in providing space and care and encouragement so her dates--and, vicariously, we--can experience theatrical, performative magic and let something about them take themselves by surprise, then I strongly suggest you go to a second performance and check your assumptions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-72685584776071947422015-09-24T13:10:18.195-04:002015-09-24T13:10:18.195-04:00My comments were made with my tongue in my cheek. ...My comments were made with my tongue in my cheek. There was nothing but praise and admiration in my review for an inspired actor and creator! Read my review again.James Karashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12713238235746109608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-26365626829549739162015-09-24T12:01:24.198-04:002015-09-24T12:01:24.198-04:00How unfortunate that such limited insight sits beh...How unfortunate that such limited insight sits behind a pen (or keyboard) that bears any weight. Perhaps a little jealousy at not having been chosen is the ink here. It does speak to the astute instincts of a seasoned genius improve artists. Brava team Blind Date for continuing to find the diamonds in the rough. You make us all shine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-9532988785507030982015-09-23T21:05:40.740-04:002015-09-23T21:05:40.740-04:00Do you seriously think that she's brought in 2...Do you seriously think that she's brought in 28 different ringers? Think about it; she's literally been doing this hundreds of times and not a single one of them has ever spilled the beans? Really? How about this: what about going to the show again to see for yourself how different the show can be and how a different dude can completely change everything, and then report back? Also, you could take a drop-in improv class to learn how seasoned improvers are able to spin straw into gold even with complete beginners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-45138909830537074922015-09-23T20:42:51.782-04:002015-09-23T20:42:51.782-04:00Agreed...It's pretty random and a bit convolut...Agreed...It's pretty random and a bit convoluted. A setup? It's called improv, I think. And in my mind, every real "blind date" is basically instantaneous; one minute you're not on a date with a stranger, the next minute, you are. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342477047374839017.post-8602417560840152202015-09-23T17:18:51.001-04:002015-09-23T17:18:51.001-04:00This is the weirdest review I've ever read.This is the weirdest review I've ever read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com