Rent Critique Play Critique Macbeth Critique Macbeth, A Review Essay Rent: The Musical Essay

1. Rent Critique
Critique on Contemporary American Play
Rent
By: Chelsea Huckabee
First of all, I decided to watch the movie Rent, which was based on Jonathan Larson's Pulizer and
his Tony award–winning musical, which has also appeared on Broadway many times. The film
and musical are about a group of artists, eight friends, who are living in New York City during the
HIV/AIDS epidemic. They each are dealing with different problems in their lives, such as HIV
/AIDS, drug addiction, rejection, and poverty. This movie had a very tremendous impact on me,
and I was very impressed with how they tied each theme into it. I was moved in a way that it has
even effected the way I look at others, and overall at life.
The actors and actresses were all very...show more content...
There is a character who is a heroin addict named Mimi who is a very controversial character, and I
think it made the movie have substance and likability to see that issue come to light. Everyone has
their own issues in this world, and not all of them are rainbows and butterflies. This movie really
showed the grittiness of living with addiction and disease, and how people dealt with it.
There are many themes within this play/movie. First, I noticed that love is a major theme. Roger
had lost his girlfriend; April to suicide after she found out she had contracted HIV. He is trying to
write one more song for her, and cannot find the right words. Another key theme for this movie
was acceptance. Each of these characters accepts each other, and overall really cares about each
other despite their differences. Angel who is also infected with AIDS soon found Collins, who was
left in an alley after being beaten by thugs. Angel proceeded to take car of him and take him back to
his place to fix him up.
The playwright was trying to get quite a few messages when he created this play. First of all, I
believe he was trying to show social change and the power and potential that an individual has inside
of them, despite their circumstances. I think that this play/movie reveals the true messiness of life
and how with the right mindset, you can make it through anything you
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2. Play Critique
The Doctor in Spite of Himself:
The Doctor in Spite of Himself is a play that I had previously studied in France like many of
MoliГЁre's plays. I thought that it was ironic for me to go see the play for the first time in theatre
in the United States. I was really looking forward to hear how the actors would pronounce the
characters' French names, which are rather exotic even for me. I think that because I had previously
studied MoliГЁre's work in class, I was expecting this play to be performed in a much more
traditional style. I was a little disconcerted at first when seeing the actors performing a more modern
version than what I had in mind. I ended up liking what Arne Zaslove has done with the play. In my
opinion, modernizing it a...show more content...
I was not expecting the costumes to be as eccentric. Even though they were matching the characters'
role and personality, I felt like they were too wacky and did not go well with the play.
Throughout the play, I enjoyed the role of music used to set a comic atmosphere and replace the
dialogs during comic scenes (e.g. when they chase each other around). I also thought that they made
a good use of light to indicate the moment of the day the scene was happening or to set the
atmosphere of the scene (e.g. pink colour during the romantic moments). Lastly, I liked the way the
play ended. Even though it was a little messy with everyone running after each other off and on
stage, and this policeman coming out of nowhere, which really surprised me; I couldn't think of a
better way to end the play.
Overall I think the actors and everyone involved in the making of this play did a very good job,
even though I liked the performance of some actors better than others. The fact that this translation
of the play was a more modern version original play made it more fun to watch according to me.
Unfortunately, the fact that I was not able to fully understand the actors' dialog throughout the play
made it less entertaining and agreeable for me to
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3. Macbeth Critique
A critique on the main character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. So foul and fair a day I have
not seen." This is a famous quote by Macbeth, the antagonist in William Shakespeare's classic
work, The Tragedy of Macbeth. This one line takes place when Macbeth and Banquo are returning
from their victory in battle over the Norwegians. Following this quote further it could be looked at
in a broader spectrum of Macbeth's triumphs and failures. He goes from a warrior hero to a
murderer, and lastly, his tragic flaw brings him to his death. When critiquing Macbeth the main
points to look at are his actions, blind ambition, excessive pride, and lastly, his boldness and
impression of personal invincibility which eventually leads to his death. See...show more content...
Banquo's reluctance to dwell on the witches' predictions therefore underscores, by contrast, the
nature of Macbeth's descent into evil. (Scott; 238)To reiterate, looking at Macbeth's ambition
throughout the tragedy, I came to one conclusion. As time passes, a once moral man cannot hold off
the temptations of the power he could achieve. This idea is stated in the following passage: "One of
the most significant reasons for the enduring critical interest in Macbeth's character is that he
represents humankind's universal propensity to temptation and sin. Macbeth's excessive ambition
motivates him to murder Duncan, and once the evil act is accomplished, he sets into motion a series
of sinister events that ultimately lead to his downfall." (Scott; 236) As one can clearly see,
Macbeth's ambition clearly got to him and he couldn't overpower it.
Furthermore, the last flaw in Macbeth is his boldness and impression of personal invincibility.
Toward the end of the play when Macbeth approaches the witches for three more prophesies,
which seem impossible. The first prophecy is the head of Macduff warning Macbeth of a bloody
revenge by Malcolm. The second is a blood–covered child who explains to Macbeth that he cannot
be harmed by any
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4. Macbeth, A Review Essay
As a virgin to The Shakespeare Theatre, I was pleasantly surprised when my recent encounter with
Macbeth was a stimulating and enjoyable excursion. The two and a half hours I had predicted to be
less than enchanting were filled with symbolism, and an overall attitude towards the Shakespeare
classic that I had never contemplated before.
Upon entering the theatre, the audience was confronted with a stark stage, boasting only a large
hollow cube with a single, leafless tree standing alone within it. The stark set was relatively
consistent throughout the play, allowing the audience to focus on the characters. Another effective
set design choice occurs when Macbeth was crowned King, and he and Lady Macbeth sat down on
their throne. The...show more content...
Another interesting choice Kahn made was the staging of Lady Macbeth's death as a focus in the
second act. Normally only hinted at in the final scene, Kahn chose to portray Lady Macbeth's brutal
suicide outright, instead of just leaving it up to the audience to infer.
Notable performances from supporting actors were given by the three witches, and the young
boy who took on the role of Fleance (Samuel Bednar Schachter). The witches, whose screeches
and swaggers truly transformed them into creatures not of this earth, were enhanced by the
shadows and lighting used during their scenes, as well as the strobe light in the opening of the
play. The role of Fleance, more commonly interpreted as a young man, was played remarkably
well by a boy no older than twelve. His initial entrance alone was enough to start the wheels
turning in the minds of the audience, as many were forced to alter previous notions of a much
more mature Fleance. Despite his age, he was still convincing and effective in maintaining the
importance of his role, especially in the final scene, where he is incorporated to be the last image
visible before the curtain falls. The porter (Ted Van Griethuysen) also took on a memorable stage
presence when his brief comic relief gave the audience a necessary break from the intense emotions
circulating amongst all of the other characters.
In addition to the actors
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5. Rent: The Musical Essay
Rent. To most people it is associated with an apartment, house, or another object. This word rarely
conjures pleasant memories, but more often annoyance and stress. However, when someone
mentions rent to me, my mind races to some of the most memorable experiences in my life.
When I hear the word Rent, I immediately see an eclectic Broadway production, overflowing with
talent, adventure, and magic. I picture scantly clad actresses, strutting across the stage. I envision
stunning duets and thought–provoking lyrics. That single word transports me to a different time and
place.
In order to adequately depict my feelings, I must start at the beginning. In the fall of 1996, I
embarked on my maiden NYC voyage. Armed with a camera,...show more content...
As the 1996 Pulitzer and Tony AwardWinner, I had long thought of it as my personal unicorn.
Something I had heard and dreamt of, but would never experience myself.
As we dressed for the show, my thoughts were flooded with images and ideas. We descended the
hotel stairs, hailed a taxi, and arrived at the theatre; while I remained in a pleasant daze. My first
impression of the Nederlander met and exceeded all my expectations. I had envisioned an old
theater, forgotten by the Broadway elite. As we walked to the door, we were able to see the wall
signed by the cast and photos of the premier. The theater itself had a rundown feel to it and left you
with the distinct impression that the magic was within the walls and on stage. As we entered the
doors, I soaked in every thing. Our seats were located in the center, orchestra section, which gave us
a perfect view of all the action.
As the lights dimmed and the music began, I realized that my dreams were becoming a reality. I
knew each of the songs, the names of every cast member, and the sequence of events. The story,
which was based off the Italian opera La Boheme, was fresh in my mind. I could picture each of the
characters, Roger, Mark, Mimi, and all the others, long before they took the stage.
It's hard to explain my exact feelings as I watched this show. It was an experience that nothing has
been able to top. I felt a connection with this show and its
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