| SUBSCRIBERS TALK ABOUT FROZEN
by Jason Loewith on 5/03/2007 12:35:00 PM
Thanks to all of you who responded to my letter about FROZEN... here are most of the responses, edited a bit. Please feel free to post different opinions!
Your production of this play is THE reason I attend theater in Chicagoland and the reason I will continue to purchase season tickets at Next. Great job!
- Douglas D.
Now that you mention it, it was indeed wonderful.
I thought to myself about midway through that I would gladly come back to seek this one multiple times, and find new meaning and nuance each time.
It was the same feeling I had about thirty years ago when I saw a play at the U of C, and went back about five times to see it again, enjoying it each time.
But in those day I had more time.
Had we but world enough and time . . .
- Kent M.
I think that "Frozen" brings up the issue of why do we really go to the theater in the first place?And I think people go for different reasons--Level one-to have a good time and be distracted from one's daily life--Level two--to be stimulated to think about different issues and ideas--Level three--to be moved emotionally and feel a response to the characters in the play--And perhaps what makes a great play is one that operates on all three levels--Frozen excelled at level two but was perhaps a bit too grim to do well at level one. When it comes to level three, I think Frozen is adept about bringing up a lot of uncomfortable feelings but has a way of jamming them down your throat! While it's great that the writer of Frozen takes us for a descending ride into the pathological mind of a serial killer, the depressed mind of the victim's mother, and the conflicted mind of the psychologist/researcher, he also needs to offer a little light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, the killer finally realizes he did something wrong (unrealistic for psychopaths) but turns his violence into a brutal suicide. Yes, the mother finally forgives and is able to move on in her life but not before handling her daughter's bones. Yes, the psychologist finally admits to herself that she was in love with her associate but one doesn't feel a lot of hope for her character either. In fact, the brutal realities of the play leave one feeling frozen, oneself. And in the end, no matter how long and dark and deep the ride--we need to feel moved--not frozen.
- SusanE
I HATED the play. The previous production, the Mr. Zero play, was also not "entertaining" and also dealt with a rather "downbeat" topic (unemployment as a consequence of mechanization), but I thought it was pretty good. I make this point to emphasize that the issue is NOT whether mindless fluff and happy endings make for better theater and/or better subscription renewal rates.
The reason I HATED the play was that I didn't care! I didn't care about the psychologist, nor the mother nor the serial killer. There was nothing in what any of them said or in what they did that captured my attention. It was just boring yada-yada-yada...
It was like reading a high school sophomore's term paper on "The Abused, The Abusers, and how our systems fail them". I would have had more fun writing the paper myself. At least I could have avoided the pedantic platitudes.
- Don M.
FROZEN IN TIME ...that is really what the play will be for us. We are only vets of two seasons at Next. Since we've live in Oak Park and now Berwyn since returning to the Chicago area 24 years ago, we generally didn't venture beyond Chicago venues for our frequent theatre fixes. However, as we are buffs, Next was on or radar and finally after some regular NU summer theatre and Light Opera trips we were intrigued enough to try some late season Next a couple of years ago. That sold us. Innovative, and extremely well done theatre was the hook. Frozen was the frosting on the cake.
It is moving and draining, incredibly well acted by three truly remarkable performers -- what a three way bang for the buck -- and a play we raved about all the way home last Sunday. Your letter was forwarded to our Evanston friends (recently returned after living over a dozen years in Europe) with a "must see!" note. And while you aren't exactly in our back yard, we're renewing next year, confident that there is more to come from whence this one came -- and the other three excellent productions of 2006-2007.
Kurt and Joyce
Greta and I agree that your production of "Frozen" was outstanding Jason,
It was the type of play that keeps us returning to the NEXT.
Forgiveness is an issue I've experienced through my work as a mediator.
Frozen addresses the issue meaningfully and accurately and makes an important social contribution as well as providing superb entertainment. Congratulations again, Jason and our thanks for a splendid season. - Dick S.
We experienced Frozen last Friday and I feel very compelled to express my reactions. Frozen is a 1st class production in every respect. The casting and directing is superb. The stage set is astounding in placing the viewer in the world of the characters and their struggles. Above all the acting was the best we have seen in a very long time. I don't think it gets any better.
Frozen is also a excellently written play. It seems that, in general, the majority of plays we have seen over the years very often are great productions with excellent actors but lack the depth and authenticity of Frozen.
Jason, thank you for bringing this play and production to the Next. It is the kind of total experience that going to the live theater should be all about.
- Dale L.Labels: Frozen
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