Cultural Event Report Number 2: Beauty and the Beast 11/1/11
I love Disney movies, fairytales, the prince getting the princess, happy endings, and those stories that leave your head in the clouds. I am a hopeless romantic, and for this reason I have been waiting since my college visit last fall for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to come to Ball State. I grew up watching Beauty and the Beast, at home in my family room, live on stage at Walt Disney World, at local theatres, or even behind the scenes when I was in the production myself. The story of Beauty and the Beast is very close to my heart. All versions of the story are different, but I would have to say that the Disney version is one of my favorites. I know all the songs, the characters, the dialogue and the storyline so well I can recite them with the play. My familiarity with the production only made me want to see it more, but it did make my expectations for the performance very high. The same production, songs, lines, and music can be performed innumerable ways, and even the way an actor delivers a line can change the connotation and scene of the play. I could not wait to see what this cast did with the production and I had nothing but high hopes!
On the evening of November 1, 2011 I was giddy to say the least. I could not sit still like a five year at dinner with my friends, because I was just too excited. Finally, when we entered Emens Auditorium and I saw the stage and backdrop all my high expectations were shattered. I could not help but gasp at the exquisite and detailed scenery. The colors were bright and fanciful, the artwork was imaginative and innovative and it felt just like you were looking into a picture from a storybook; it was perfect. I was disappointed that I had to sit in my seat and wait for fifteen whole minutes for the production to start. I could hardly contain myself when the overture started and the curtains opened, revealing the quaint, quiet little village and the rest of the beautiful scenery and phenomenal costumes. I just could not help but smile from the very first note of the show, I just knew that this was going to be my favorite version of Beauty and the Beast yet.
Beauty and the Beast is truly a “Tale as old as Time” but I loved the refreshing new take that NETworks presented of the Disney version. It was still that same timeless story but the cast took some artistic license with the piece as they added some humor. When I knew the musical so well it was nice to see some different interpretations of some of the scenes and I really enjoyed the added humor. It didn’t detract from the overall performance it just added an extra something that engaged the audience more and kept us guessing. It is safe to say that like myself most of the audience was familiar with the story, but we never knew when to expect a laugh line so it caused me to look at the show in a different way. On top of the added comedy the costumes were exquisite and I was completely blown away. The last time I had ever seen the Disney version was in Walk Disney World itself. The costumes in Disney World’s stage production were very true to the look of the characters in the cartoon movie. For instance Mrs. Potts was in a large teapot costume that was identical to her character in the movie, and Cogsworth was a Large clock with arms and legs. While I love seeing the characters as they look in the movie, I loved how the costumes in this Beauty and the Beast production were more realistic looking. The enchanted characters did not look like overgrown characters, akin to those at Disney World, running around on the stage. Rather, the costumes were tailored to look like a clock, candelabra, teapot and feather duster but they still enabled you to see that they were still people. Making a clock talk in a cartoon is one thing, but I love how the costumes were designed in this production. They were intricate and detailed and even though my seat was in the balcony I could still appreciate them in their full glory. I found myself waiting for Belle to walk out on stage in her infamous gold dress, and after seeing the exquisite costumes throughout the rest of the play I had high expectations for the dress. I would have to say that her dress was one of my biggest disappointments of the whole production. I felt that it was in a way too overdone, and covered with too many baubles and bows. Granted, all stage costumes need to be larger than life so the audience can see the details, but her gown did not blow me away as I had hoped.
Beyond the perfection of the costumes, each actor really fit their character well. Emily Behny did a wonderful job of playing Belle. Her voice was high and angelic, and she portrayed the sweet yet tenacious personality of Belle very well. Dane Agostinis was a perfect fit for the Beast, and he was one of the key characters who added humor to the production. I was a tad disappointed by the casting of Belle’s father. I realize that they were trying to get away from an exact portrayal of the Disney movie, but they portrayed her father as too overly silly and senseless for my taste. He just did not seem to fit the character to me. I would have to say that my favorite character of the whole production was not a leading role, but rather one of the smaller supporting characters. The actor, Andrew Kruep, who played Lefou was simply brilliant. In my opinion he stole the show with his physical comedy, and he could always make the audience roar with laughter. He fit Lefou’s character wonderfully, he was truly the comic relief. All in all I thought this production of Beauty and the Beast was breath taking. I loved how they performed the show in a slightly different style than the original. It was still the same songs, dialogue and story but the refreshing and humorous twist they put on it just made the production all the better. I cannot wait to get another chance like this; to see a renowned Broadway hit for free and basically only steps from my home. It is truly one of the highlights of the college experience.
Cultural Event Report Number 1: Jeannette Walls Speech 9/23/11
Everyone knows about the stereotypes that are often attached to freshman common readers. Boring, a waste of time, no connection to my own life, and that there is no lasting benefit or consequence to actually reading it. The actual act of reading the book is viewed as more of a suggestion rather than a requirement. However, I found this years freshman common reader, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, to shatter all those stereotypes. The real life memoir of a southern girl who overcame adversity, escaped her impoverished childhood and eccentric parents and turned her life into a success, how can that story not be moving and engaging? It was anything but boring. It was upsetting, disturbing, infuriating, puzzling and uplifting all at the same time. Walls’ story caused me to think, reflect and appreciate my own life and circumstances. When I found out she was coming to campus in the fall I could not wait to hear her speak. I wanted to connect the words and stories on her pages to the person behind it all, her story would have more meaning if it came directly from her, from the heart. I was intrigued by her story, and I yearned to find out more.
On September 21st I eagerly lined up outside of Emens Auditorium to hear Jeannette Walls speak. From her very first words you could tell just how strong of a woman she really was. She was humble, down to earth, honest, humorous, unafraid, unashamed and she exuded confidence. One of the most compelling things that she said was that everyone has their own demons, and her demon was herself and her past. One would expect someone of her circumstances to be somewhat bitter and to blame her parents and society for her shortcomings and problematic childhood. However, she looks back on her childhood and blames no one, she sees it just as another obstacle in her life that she had to conquer. She claimed that everything in life is both a blessing and a curse, and you have to be the person who looks towards the blessing. To me that was beyond inspiring, she grew up facing so much adversity and yet can look back and accept it for what it was without resentment. That is perhaps why I find her story so intriguing, it is full of so much disappointment, dysfunction, and disaster, but yet it is also filled with dreams, dedication and desires. Her past is her story, and just like Jeannette, everyone has his or her own stories. Some of those stories can have desperate beginnings and happy endings, but no matter what at the end of the day those stories are yours. They are what made you who you are today, and you shouldn’t be afraid to embrace them for what they were. That is the key message I felt Jeannette was trying to convey to the audience. You should not be ashamed of your past, it is what it is, and you cannot let it hold you back. Your hardships make you stronger, just as Jeannette’s childhood made her stronger. Your life is your gift and you must learn how to embrace it. In Jeannette’s words, “Embrace your stories. Embrace your demons. Love you texture and build your own glass castle.”
The part of her speech that resonated with me the most was one of her last comments. When asked if the “glass castle” was ever actually built, or if she planned on one day building it, her response was really poignant and wise. She told the audience that the glass castle was never about a tangible building, but rather it was more about a dream and an idea. It was an intangible hope that kept the family going, and taught her how to dream. It was a symbol for the life that she could one day attain, an optimistic artifact from her childhood. Walls’ claimed that the glass castle has in fact been built, not literally but figuratively in her heart, and it will always be a part of her. I really liked her view on that, and those words really stuck with me. She did not mourn the non existence of the glass castle, but instead she fondly remembered the fact that it almost existed once upon a time. Also, I really liked how she accepted, in fact welcomed, so many opinions and views of her memoir. Actually I believe that she takes pride in the mixed emotions her story elicits in her readers. She did not take offense to any question and was always very open, warm and perceptive in her answers. Her story is a very special one; everyone takes something different from it. Some can relate, others have their eyes opened, some feel livid others inspired, while others still leave with no discerning feeling at all. That in my opinion is what makes a good story. One that has so many facets, that everyone can find and relate to their one little piece. The fact that this story was real, a memoir, only made it that much more special to me. Some people simply have a life worth telling, and Jeannette Walls is most assuredly one of them.
Just as her book shattered freshman reader stereotypes, her life also shattered stereotypes of poverty and its outcomes. She is truly an inspiring, encouraging and unforgettable woman. I will never forget her story and the impact it had on my life, and seeing her in person only made me treasure her story even more. She is a believer in dreams, and truly inspired her audience and readers to dream their own dreams and go in search of their own glass castle.
Cultural Event Reports
Cultural Event Report Number 2: Beauty and the Beast 11/1/11
I love Disney movies, fairytales, the prince getting the princess, happy endings, and those stories that leave your head in the clouds. I am a hopeless romantic, and for this reason I have been waiting since my college visit last fall for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to come to Ball State. I grew up watching Beauty and the Beast, at home in my family room, live on stage at Walt Disney World, at local theatres, or even behind the scenes when I was in the production myself. The story of Beauty and the Beast is very close to my heart. All versions of the story are different, but I would have to say that the Disney version is one of my favorites. I know all the songs, the characters, the dialogue and the storyline so well I can recite them with the play. My familiarity with the production only made me want to see it more, but it did make my expectations for the performance very high. The same production, songs, lines, and music can be performed innumerable ways, and even the way an actor delivers a line can change the connotation and scene of the play. I could not wait to see what this cast did with the production and I had nothing but high hopes!
On the evening of November 1, 2011 I was giddy to say the least. I could not sit still like a five year at dinner with my friends, because I was just too excited. Finally, when we entered Emens Auditorium and I saw the stage and backdrop all my high expectations were shattered. I could not help but gasp at the exquisite and detailed scenery. The colors were bright and fanciful, the artwork was imaginative and innovative and it felt just like you were looking into a picture from a storybook; it was perfect. I was disappointed that I had to sit in my seat and wait for fifteen whole minutes for the production to start. I could hardly contain myself when the overture started and the curtains opened, revealing the quaint, quiet little village and the rest of the beautiful scenery and phenomenal costumes. I just could not help but smile from the very first note of the show, I just knew that this was going to be my favorite version of Beauty and the Beast yet.
Beauty and the Beast is truly a “Tale as old as Time” but I loved the refreshing new take that NETworks presented of the Disney version. It was still that same timeless story but the cast took some artistic license with the piece as they added some humor. When I knew the musical so well it was nice to see some different interpretations of some of the scenes and I really enjoyed the added humor. It didn’t detract from the overall performance it just added an extra something that engaged the audience more and kept us guessing. It is safe to say that like myself most of the audience was familiar with the story, but we never knew when to expect a laugh line so it caused me to look at the show in a different way. On top of the added comedy the costumes were exquisite and I was completely blown away. The last time I had ever seen the Disney version was in Walk Disney World itself. The costumes in Disney World’s stage production were very true to the look of the characters in the cartoon movie. For instance Mrs. Potts was in a large teapot costume that was identical to her character in the movie, and Cogsworth was a Large clock with arms and legs. While I love seeing the characters as they look in the movie, I loved how the costumes in this Beauty and the Beast production were more realistic looking. The enchanted characters did not look like overgrown characters, akin to those at Disney World, running around on the stage. Rather, the costumes were tailored to look like a clock, candelabra, teapot and feather duster but they still enabled you to see that they were still people. Making a clock talk in a cartoon is one thing, but I love how the costumes were designed in this production. They were intricate and detailed and even though my seat was in the balcony I could still appreciate them in their full glory. I found myself waiting for Belle to walk out on stage in her infamous gold dress, and after seeing the exquisite costumes throughout the rest of the play I had high expectations for the dress. I would have to say that her dress was one of my biggest disappointments of the whole production. I felt that it was in a way too overdone, and covered with too many baubles and bows. Granted, all stage costumes need to be larger than life so the audience can see the details, but her gown did not blow me away as I had hoped.
Beyond the perfection of the costumes, each actor really fit their character well. Emily Behny did a wonderful job of playing Belle. Her voice was high and angelic, and she portrayed the sweet yet tenacious personality of Belle very well. Dane Agostinis was a perfect fit for the Beast, and he was one of the key characters who added humor to the production. I was a tad disappointed by the casting of Belle’s father. I realize that they were trying to get away from an exact portrayal of the Disney movie, but they portrayed her father as too overly silly and senseless for my taste. He just did not seem to fit the character to me. I would have to say that my favorite character of the whole production was not a leading role, but rather one of the smaller supporting characters. The actor, Andrew Kruep, who played Lefou was simply brilliant. In my opinion he stole the show with his physical comedy, and he could always make the audience roar with laughter. He fit Lefou’s character wonderfully, he was truly the comic relief. All in all I thought this production of Beauty and the Beast was breath taking. I loved how they performed the show in a slightly different style than the original. It was still the same songs, dialogue and story but the refreshing and humorous twist they put on it just made the production all the better. I cannot wait to get another chance like this; to see a renowned Broadway hit for free and basically only steps from my home. It is truly one of the highlights of the college experience.
Cultural Event Report Number 1: Jeannette Walls Speech 9/23/11
Everyone knows about the stereotypes that are often attached to freshman common readers. Boring, a waste of time, no connection to my own life, and that there is no lasting benefit or consequence to actually reading it. The actual act of reading the book is viewed as more of a suggestion rather than a requirement. However, I found this years freshman common reader, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, to shatter all those stereotypes. The real life memoir of a southern girl who overcame adversity, escaped her impoverished childhood and eccentric parents and turned her life into a success, how can that story not be moving and engaging? It was anything but boring. It was upsetting, disturbing, infuriating, puzzling and uplifting all at the same time. Walls’ story caused me to think, reflect and appreciate my own life and circumstances. When I found out she was coming to campus in the fall I could not wait to hear her speak. I wanted to connect the words and stories on her pages to the person behind it all, her story would have more meaning if it came directly from her, from the heart. I was intrigued by her story, and I yearned to find out more.
On September 21st I eagerly lined up outside of Emens Auditorium to hear Jeannette Walls speak. From her very first words you could tell just how strong of a woman she really was. She was humble, down to earth, honest, humorous, unafraid, unashamed and she exuded confidence. One of the most compelling things that she said was that everyone has their own demons, and her demon was herself and her past. One would expect someone of her circumstances to be somewhat bitter and to blame her parents and society for her shortcomings and problematic childhood. However, she looks back on her childhood and blames no one, she sees it just as another obstacle in her life that she had to conquer. She claimed that everything in life is both a blessing and a curse, and you have to be the person who looks towards the blessing. To me that was beyond inspiring, she grew up facing so much adversity and yet can look back and accept it for what it was without resentment. That is perhaps why I find her story so intriguing, it is full of so much disappointment, dysfunction, and disaster, but yet it is also filled with dreams, dedication and desires. Her past is her story, and just like Jeannette, everyone has his or her own stories. Some of those stories can have desperate beginnings and happy endings, but no matter what at the end of the day those stories are yours. They are what made you who you are today, and you shouldn’t be afraid to embrace them for what they were. That is the key message I felt Jeannette was trying to convey to the audience. You should not be ashamed of your past, it is what it is, and you cannot let it hold you back. Your hardships make you stronger, just as Jeannette’s childhood made her stronger. Your life is your gift and you must learn how to embrace it. In Jeannette’s words, “Embrace your stories. Embrace your demons. Love you texture and build your own glass castle.”
The part of her speech that resonated with me the most was one of her last comments. When asked if the “glass castle” was ever actually built, or if she planned on one day building it, her response was really poignant and wise. She told the audience that the glass castle was never about a tangible building, but rather it was more about a dream and an idea. It was an intangible hope that kept the family going, and taught her how to dream. It was a symbol for the life that she could one day attain, an optimistic artifact from her childhood. Walls’ claimed that the glass castle has in fact been built, not literally but figuratively in her heart, and it will always be a part of her. I really liked her view on that, and those words really stuck with me. She did not mourn the non existence of the glass castle, but instead she fondly remembered the fact that it almost existed once upon a time. Also, I really liked how she accepted, in fact welcomed, so many opinions and views of her memoir. Actually I believe that she takes pride in the mixed emotions her story elicits in her readers. She did not take offense to any question and was always very open, warm and perceptive in her answers. Her story is a very special one; everyone takes something different from it. Some can relate, others have their eyes opened, some feel livid others inspired, while others still leave with no discerning feeling at all. That in my opinion is what makes a good story. One that has so many facets, that everyone can find and relate to their one little piece. The fact that this story was real, a memoir, only made it that much more special to me. Some people simply have a life worth telling, and Jeannette Walls is most assuredly one of them.
Just as her book shattered freshman reader stereotypes, her life also shattered stereotypes of poverty and its outcomes. She is truly an inspiring, encouraging and unforgettable woman. I will never forget her story and the impact it had on my life, and seeing her in person only made me treasure her story even more. She is a believer in dreams, and truly inspired her audience and readers to dream their own dreams and go in search of their own glass castle.