For the LOVE of Underwood! Actor Rocks role of Othello in San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre

For the LOVE of Underwood! Actor Rocks role of Othello in San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, July 8th, 2014

Thank you, regular readers of Talkinggrid,

I can’t get over how happy I am, how much gratitude I feel for all those that continue supporting this wacky, homespun, and about to massively improve, alternative art news and cultural commentary web-site.  In gratitude I will tell you of LAST NIGHT’S DELIGHTFUL theatrical experience.  Yes! I will share with a fast glimpse, a peek into the pure pleasure witnessing actor, Blair Underwood rock the role of Othello in San Diego’s one-and-only Globe Theatre.

The hunky-super-handsome actor was beyond dreamy, in a driven and moving enactment of Shakespeare’s blackest of black comedies in three acts.  Underwood embodied the most tragic of British Literature’s, arch tragic heroes, the-one-and-only, Othello .  Underwood, a powerhouse actor was supported by a tight, vivid, and on-point performance by Richard Thomas as Iago, whose lucid demonstration of evil, calculating revenge, and pure malice evoked chills of recognition, fear, and excitement from the audience.  The two lead actors pushed the story forward with their muscular acting talent.  They delivered The Bard’s oft quoted lines with the light lips of a lover’s undying sincerity.

Last night, I shared a blanket with my best friend, near the orchestra pit.  I watched the skilful musicians beat out the rhythm of Shakespeare.  I let the music of the words sink into my soul and the stars above added the needed sense of connection to a larger world, placing this FEMALE FORWARD reading of Othello in the world of today.  Every act, played upon the other, and led brilliantly to the inevitable demise of the protagonist and his intimates.  Yet, actresses really brought the play home with a smashing, intensely womanly understanding of what it is to submit to, and what it is to resist, male domination.  Kristen Connolly plays a striking Desdemona, no cowering flower, she faces scandal, paternal wrath, and death with chiseled dignity.  Yet, it was Angela Reed as Emilia that most intensely captured the voice of the abused and betrayed woman.  She dies for and with her mistress in a visceral representation of loyalty, delivering her final speech with the fearless passion of total understanding.

Barry Edelstein’s Othello is refreshing and inviting into a renewed intimacy with the simple mechanical and emotional perfection that is Shakespeare’s later work.  Edelstein, author of two books on Shakespeare,  has succeeded in creating a memorable departure from prior stagings and to arrive at a noteworthy addition to the  world’s perpetual fascination with the violence, the passion, and the innocence that Othello ensures.
In short, Bravo!

>Special thanks, to the wonderful staff at the Globe Theatre and even more special WARM & FUZZY Thank you to E. and her Crew of Lovely Ladies.

AND, a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to ACTOR, Blair Underwood, for allowing us to take his picture, signing a birthday autograph, and assisting celebrating my best friend’s keynote birthday!  His warmth and open-hearted, easily approachable demeanour, made it a snap to create a little memorabilia of the marvelous evening.  Visiting the theatre was never more meaningful, than last night surrounded by my friend and her friends, which are now, thanks to the bonding experience of seeing and meeting such a marvelous specimen of human perform, are my friends, too.   But more than anything, thank you, to all that have gone to hell and back, to bring to life the glorious Othello.

Thank you for continuing to visit this lowly wayward self-spun masterpiece of self discovery: Talkinggrid.  Years ago, Frau Kolb changed her personal art web-site into this wordy mess you keep returning to, a feast for some word hungry souls, requiring contact with another ravenous appetite.  I understand, because I’m addicted to blogging. It is true that I have neglected to sleep, at times in my bunny’s desire to hop to it and write-right-now!

The intense need to express one’s self, as an artist (painter/music player/noise maker/performer) renders communication the unwavering focus.  We read.  Often we write.  Many of my best friends have their own blogs which I support.   Yet, my entire life, I’ve preferred the small-homespun look of transition and unfinished experimentation.  I shun much of what is POPULAR Culture today.  The slick hard look of music makers, their tattoos all in order and SHINY… Yuck. Sorry, but commercial television, mainstream Hollywood films, junk foods, and other less than wholesome advertising rich sources of spiritual pollution leave me looking for the bookstores, the good museums,  off beat and curious art galleries, the analogue, the antique, the unchanging enduring SILENCE which is the core of enjoying life in the long term. Ah!

Yesterday, one of my on-line buddies made a comment that hit home.  He said that gardening is a “positive addiction.”  Well… I like that.  I have a number of “positive addictions,” which make my life sweet.  I dig walking, talking, reading, writing, laughing, loving, learning, music, and DANCE.

I love the movement of the sea.  I am “positively addicted,” to life near the ocean, the beach, the sand.  Of course

Loving LIFE is my hobby and I’m becoming an Expert on being at ease in the turbulent crunch of TODAY.

Merci,

Frau K.

Re-Thinking Talkinggrid

Dearest Readers, Contributors, and Supporters,

I’d like to thank you for your attention and donations.  You have given me reason to write and get out looking for art adventures on which to report.

You have shared the links and sent in money.  You comment and you help me edit this blog.  I appreciate your help very much and really you have encouraged me.  I’ve become a person that writes, regularly, fluidly, thanks to the knowing that you might read what I wrote today.  I find that prospect alone very exciting.  Moreover, when you click the DONATE button on the side bar you send Frau Kolb soaring, literally!  I’m always planning my next trip, the NEXT big art adventure!

I confess:  I am an ambitious woman.  Yet, my goals are private, personal.  I don’t want to be a politician or an attorney.  I don’t want to be a judge.  I’m happy doing what I do best which is caring, loving, and living in awe of all that is.  I’m lucky that I can see the sunlight and feel its warmth on my skin.  I’m blessed that I can read and write and share with you some of my quirky ideas and perspective.  You inspire me.

Thank you for reading and please be aware that I’ve a long term vision for Talkinggrid and that your donations, contributions, comments, LIKES, and shares all give Talkinggrid reason and the means to continue.

Best regards,

Frau Kolb

“Positive Addictions,” Time for a NEW Attitude Toward Being

Darlings, Lovely Humans,