Arts & Culture
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The brilliance of Amy Freed
By John GordonPublished: January 01, 2009
The list of prominent American playwrights that South Coast Repertory has forged alliances with in its 45-year history reads like a who’s who of major American dramatists: Richard Greenberg, Howard Korder, Craig Lucas, Donald Margulies.
The name Amy Freed belongs on the shortest of lists. Since her 1998 debut at SCR with “Freedomland,” a portrait of a marvelously dysfunctional American family that leaned as heavily on King Lear as on Dr. Phil, Freed has contributed some of the most ambitiously epic plays to grace SCR’s stages.
Freed’s fourth world premiere at SCR comes this month: “You, Nero,” a play about a meeting during the waning years of the Roman Empire between a scorned playwright and his rather irascible patron, the Emperor Nero.
If “You, Nero,” is anything like Freed’s other plays, the historical backdrop it takes place against is most likely a metaphor to examine more personal, or contemporary political, concerns.
“The Beard of Avon” (2001) and “Safe in Hell” (2004) – while ostensibly about the authenticity of William Shakespeare’s works and the dynamic behind the Salem Witch Trials – were really more about a writer’s value to society and the strain of puritanical obsession that still percolates through the American value system than with their respective subject matters.
With “You, Nero,” featuring a self-critical playwright and an intriguing historical personality who reigns during troubled times, it’s a safe bet that Freed’s latest play is less about Imperial Rome than 2009 America.
THE DETAILS:
“You, Nero”
Jan. 9–25
South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555; scr.org
OTHER HAPPENINGS
'Around the World in 80 Days'
Laguna Playhouse, Jan. 6-Feb. 8
The Laguna Playhouse presents the O.C. premiere of Jules Verne’s tale of Phileas Fogg’s journey around the globe. Michael Butler’s visual design leans toward “steampunk,” a movement that combines Victorian aesthetics with modern technology; the production appears to take place inside an enormous ticking watch.
606 Moulton Canyon Pkwy., Laguna Beach 949.497.ARTS; lagunaplayhouse.com
Strauss Symphony of America
Orange County Performing Arts Center, Jan. 3
Nothing screams “new year” like a Viennese polka, one of the main components of the Strauss Symphony of America’s visit to O.C. More than 70 musicians, singers and dancers take part in the performance, which includes waltzes and polkas from the Vienna City Ballet, underscored by the music of Johann Strauss Jr.
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787; ocpac.org
Interpreti Veneziani
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Jan. 16
If Viennese opera and dance don’t satisfy your European jones for the month, there’s always this Italian ensemble, which is steeped in the mystique and allure of Venice. The company specializes in baroque music, and its chief inspiration is one of Venice’s most famous talents: the classical composer Antonio Vivaldi.
12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 800.300.4345; cerritoscenter.com
John Gordon is an O.C.-based freelance writer specializing in arts and culture.
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The name Amy Freed belongs on the shortest of lists. Since her 1998 debut at SCR with “Freedomland,” a portrait of a marvelously dysfunctional American family that leaned as heavily on King Lear as on Dr. Phil, Freed has contributed some of the most ambitiously epic plays to grace SCR’s stages. Freed’s fourth world premiere at SCR comes this month: “You, Nero,” a play about a meeting during the waning years of the Roman Empire between a scorned playwright and his rather irascible patron, the Emperor Nero. If “You, Nero,” is anything like Freed’s other plays, the historical backdrop it takes place against is most likely a metaphor to examine more personal, or contemporary political, concerns. “The Beard of Avon” (2001) and “Safe in Hell” (2004) – while ostensibly about the authenticity of William Shakespeare’s works and the dynamic behind the Salem Witch Trials – were really more about a writer’s value to society and the strain of puritanical obsession that still percolates through the American value system than with their respective subject matters. With “You, Nero,” featuring a self-critical playwright and an intriguing historical personality who reigns during troubled times, it’s a safe bet that Freed’s latest play is less about Imperial Rome than 2009 America. THE DETAILS: “You, Nero” Jan. 9–25 South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555; scr.org OTHER HAPPENINGS 'Around the World in 80 Days' Laguna Playhouse, Jan. 6-Feb. 8 The Laguna Playhouse presents the O.C. premiere of Jules Verne’s tale of Phileas Fogg’s journey around the globe. Michael Butler’s visual design leans toward “steampunk,” a movement that combines Victorian aesthetics with modern technology; the production appears to take place inside an enormous ticking watch. 606 Moulton Canyon Pkwy., Laguna Beach 949.497.ARTS; lagunaplayhouse.com Strauss Symphony of America Orange County Performing Arts Center, Jan. 3 Nothing screams “new year” like a Viennese polka, one of the main components of the Strauss Symphony of America’s visit to O.C. More than 70 musicians, singers and dancers take part in the performance, which includes waltzes and polkas from the Vienna City Ballet, underscored by the music of Johann Strauss Jr. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787; ocpac.org Interpreti Veneziani Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Jan. 16 If Viennese opera and dance don’t satisfy your European jones for the month, there’s always this Italian ensemble, which is steeped in the mystique and allure of Venice. The company specializes in baroque music, and its chief inspiration is one of Venice’s most famous talents: the classical composer Antonio Vivaldi. 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 800.300.4345; cerritoscenter.com John Gordon is an O.C.-based freelance writer specializing in arts and culture. |
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