Sometimes it seems like I was...

[deckardcanine]

Finally, another Arena play I could sink my teeth into: Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin, in which a journalist hired to educate a tycoon's ditzy girlfriend, Billie Dawn, shows her more than his employer wanted her to know. Having seen the 1950 movie some years ago, I knew it wouldn't be bad as a play. What I hadn't anticipated was the greater edge to it, which makes some sense considering that Hollywood then timed kissing scenes with a stopwatch. Small wonder Billie was cutely singing "Anything Goes" at times.

Aside from the innuendo, the slightly improved ending note, and the confines/freedom of the round Fichandler Stage (no trip to the Jefferson Memorial), it was very much the same as the movie. I wouldn't say the actress of Billie stole the show, but I wasn't too surprised that she got the most applause. Judy Holliday somehow seemed a little dimmer from beginning to end, but maybe that's me profiling. The actor of tycoon Harry Brock had less of a commanding presence but no trouble playing a Jersey jerk. Ed Devery, Brock's agent, actually outshone his silver-screen counterpart and may be the character I'd most like to play.

Now I feel like getting back to classic literature like David Copperfield. Try to catch up on Billie. Hey, I still use the nickname "Classic Steve" on some forums; why should I let my years of assigned reading shy me away from those books?

Comments

[billis.livejournal.com]

I've read a fair sampling of Dickens, and he's so human in his portrayals of people and things, I don't find him seeming anachronistic at all. Great Expectations was the one I liked best, but I think I've only read 4 of his books.

I guess if you become a fan, it's very rewarding.