Plays vs. Concerts

I went to see The Women of Brewster Place on Friday at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta. It was good. I hoped it would be good and it did not disappoint. It was a very minimal production. No fancy stage sets or special effects, the costumes were about the only really expensive thing about the production. There wasn't a star among the actors (Jenifer Lewis?!), but yet they each brought in their own piece to give the play the cultural impact it needed. The only criticism is with the ending. 

From what I remember of the movie, they brought down that wall in the end, in the play not so much, and as I haven't read the book, I cannot judge that. I just wish it ended with as much Ooomph! as it had when it ended the first half. The first half had so much of an impact, than the 2nd half which throughly switched gears and focused on the two lesbian lovers and not as much continuation of the plot lines that it had so carefully exposed in the first half. But that song that closed the first half, almost had me in tears, and you know I don't cry at movies. So that was my Friday night. Then, I went out with my girlfriend and this gentleman bought us a huge shot of Patron and was wasted m0re than I care to remember. I never stagger. but this time I did. Good thing I was walking home as opposed to driving in a moving vehicle. With all that excitement on Friday, plus I finally got my DSL cable, internet and phone installed at home, I did nothing exceptional for the rest of the weekend. I had kinda outspent myself. Just sat home, watched the overblown and hugely disappointing Britney Spears performance, and roasted some chicken.

But this play is going to be the last one until next year. I have used plays to suppress my concerts this year. I can't tell which one is more expensive. Concerts cost $50 upwards, and you may or may not pay for parking and the concert is always good. If nothing more, the high power energy of the crowd just gets you off your seat and screaming. But plays cost $25 upwards, less would be lousy seats. You always pay for parking (even though I somehow managed for the first time to get out of it this Friday) and the play may or may not be good. I've had 3 out of 5. (I saw Mama Mia in Vegas)

I was hoping to go for an opera type event this year, something Shakespearean, so if the price is right with those I may squeeze that in before the end of the year. I have only been to an opera once, and it was good.