Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by Matt DeStefano
Andrew comments on Robert Falls‘ new production of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” at Goodman Theatre.
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Andrew’s guest is pianist and writer Jeremy Denk, who was in town for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Keys to the City Piano Festival. Jeremy’s new album Ligeti/Beethoven is out now on the Nonesuch label.
Studs discusses his book AND THEY ALL SANG: Adventures of an Eclectic Disc Jockey.
"It is the only interview that I know of done with Studs where he discusses in detail his passion for opera and opera singers including Rosa Raisa, Lotte Lehmann, and "his" diva, Claudia Muzio. Studs also talks about his disc jockey days in general and the music editions of The Best of Studs Terkel on WFMT. We play opera scenes with Raisa, Lehmann, Muzio, and a song by Woody Guthrie as well." -Andrew
To download an MP3 file of this interview, right-click on link below (Mac users control-click).
Hi Andrew,
I agree with most of your comments about Measure for Measure. Falls is often edgy which is what makes his plays challenging, sometimes unnerving. Setting it in NYC in the 60s is clever though, having lived there during much of that time, the sleaze he depicts seems pretty far over the top. But I guess that’s what distinguishes art from reality. And the disco scenes in the prolog and conclusion (ssh) were a bit silly, if entertaining.
My one complaint – and it’s a big one – is the gratuitous killing off of the Isabella character. Despite the Duke’s attempt to bring happiness to everyone by matching them up, Shakespeare left the ending ambiguous. That’s fine with me; I can either supply my own ending or leave room for thought or discussion. I don’t know why Falls felt a need not only to wrap things in a bow for us but also in a nasty way that does the play a huge disservice. Sure the play is problematic. It has elements of drama and comedy. But Falls’ need to throw in some tragedy, too, all but ruined the experience. He’s a talented director but, in this case, he got too carried away with his own ego by rewriting Shakespeare. Unnecessary and disappointing.
I’d be interested to know what you and others think.
Mike