Comments on: 2 Burn (Fringe Festival 2011)

By: HalGupstein

HalGupstein — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:59:29 +0000

While I normally enjoy seeing shows at the Fringe Festival, this was arguably the most sophomoric, irrelevant and insubstantial contribution to the world of theater yet. Why on earth would the writer create an intelligent character without giving him a shred of intelligence? Without exception, every character used the same voice and limited vocabulary to the point of lunacy. Jody Person has the vocal range and cadence of a Grandfather clock. Not only was there no chemistry on-stage, but the casting missed so many opportunities to elevate any mystery that would have remedied the piece from being completely telegraphic. I kept wanting to reach for the fast-forward button but ultimately made my downstage left exit after an unendurable seventy minutes of diatribe.

By: Geoffrey Paddy Johnson

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:26:54 +0000

Hi Jody. I, and everyone at THM, wildly applaud the efforts of the exceptional people involved in writing, directing, designing, and acting in works for theatre. We are keenly aware of the particularity of each performance and the comparative injustice of judging a running performance on the basis of one viewing. However, such is the lot of those who work in and around this singular medium. Each new performance allows for improvement and development and it is heartening to hear that your intentions bend in that direction (and not a little flattering to think they might be in response to words written by myself!). I wish you and the cast the very best.
GPJ

By: Jody P. Person

Jody P. Person — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:42:40 +0000

P.S. Forgot to say…it was certainly over long in its telling…Patrick Martin and I, we dragged our feet through the scenes quite a bit. We are now down to an hour and thirty minutes. I’m not sure if you realized, there was a late start to the show, due to being sold out, but truthfully…even with the late start…the show was 120minutes. This will never happen again, the correct pacing will get this show sparking for sure. And Patrick and I are going to add the right amount of heat.

By: Jody P. Person

Jody P. Person — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:31:08 +0000

Dear Geoffrey,

I don’t normally do this, but I honestly agree with you on many levels. I wouldn’t say there was “no spark.” There were sparks here and there, at moments, but the sparks need to come faster and faster so that the ending would explode.

Here is the truth of the situation, I really feel myself was at the fault, I went up on my lines in the first scene…it destroyed my confidence…i think it nearly destroyed the play. I was lost in my head trying to make it work…missed some lines in other scenes…some moments didn’t work as planned (opening night jitters too…I think)…instead of being fully present with the very talented actors on the stage surrounding me, I was pushing too hard.

I’ve been behind the scenes directing for several years now, and have taken to the stage for the first time in ten years, in this production. We over rehearsed the night the before. Just before the show, I prepared a huge dinner for a large amount of people coming to see 2 Burn. I overdid it. I didn’t rest, unwind. The lesson is learned.

This weekend is going to be great. I’ve rested. Studied my lines hardcore. Rested some more. Deepened my character even further. Remind myself to take it easy and enjoy the experience. We rehearsed in a healthy way all week long. I developed some confidence that was missing – just by going back through all the secrets of this great acting tradition. And lastly, as Paul, I’m going to fall for Manny even deeper.

2 Burn will sizzle…like it is meant to do.

I really found your review helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

I hope you understand my reason for writing, I don’t want anyone else blamed but me.

With warmth (the kind that burns…lol),
Jody