school of rock review

I saw School of Rock on Saturday, and it was a lot better than I expected. I had originally gone with a negative mindset of, “Oh gosh, I have to take time out of my weekend to go to this dumb play.” Thankfully, I did leave with a much more positive mindset. As I had enjoyed the play, it was definitely not time wasted.

Having not seen the movie in over 10 years, I’m afraid I can’t really compare it to the movie, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the production.

Pros:

The actors seemed to all really enjoy playing their parts, and I didn’t notice any flubs. The songs were catchy and flowed pretty well, there wasn’t a jarring transition from speaking to singing. The plot progressed well and made some sense, save for the odd hiccup of Dewie and Ms. Mollins going to the bar (coffee shop?) together and listening to rock music. The choreography for the songs matched up with what was being sung.

Cons:

The lights fading to black, then rising to blue during transitions was a little frustrating at first, but made sense as there were no curtains. It just felt jarring to sit in total darkness and have it fade to a dim midnight before fading back to black and rising up fully. A large frustration of mine was a lot of the political or modern humor, especially jokes regarding Trump. While I understand they are relevant modern topics, they mostly felt out of place and forced to elicit some laughs from the audience. Another moment of awkwardness was around Dewie and Ms. Mollins’ relationship. While I know the original movie involves a kiss between the two, and I completely understand if both were too uncomfortable with kissing, simply substituting the kiss with a hug instead felt incomplete. The disjoint between the implicit romantic dialogue and the stiff and forced way both actors ended up hugging each other was jarring and a disconcerting to watch, as up to this point the actors had all moved naturally. A minor nitpick was that the actors did not have stellar synchronization while doing the choreography for some of the songs, and it seemed to me that some actors weren’t entirely sure on WHAT the choreography was, especially near the end.

reflection/weekly progress post

This week we worked on finalizing our script and working on some of the blocking. On friday (2/24/17) we did a dry run and read from our scripts and acted a little on an empty stage. Here’s some feedback I got
The argument over the song felt a little trivial
Blocking/setting was realistic and good
Smoother emotional transitions needed, otherwise pretty steady
Talking is slower since the R+J project, but still needs a little less speed to be perfect
Work on body movements to play the part of a man better (personally I think wearing the skirt didn't help)
A few longer pauses between lines
Good chemistry/balance/volume/dynamic between actors/characters
How is time passing? Explain?
A little more physical contact
Arguments need variation instead of being the same stuff yelled over and over
Work on varying tone when speaking, be more affirmative, “im the man” speech felt forced.
Actually get physical when shaking lili, otherwise youre breaking character
Practice with props, empty set made the whole thing feel weirdly hollow
Dont break character
“Do you still love me?” At the end was too quiet to be impactful
Wording of some lines needs work to make more grammatical sense
More confidence when yelling at lili

Overall I think the feedback I got from today was a big improvement over the feedback I got from playing Friar Lawrence in the first half of the year. I still need to personally work on solidifying the character and mannerisms of Guy but I do a good job of contrasting with his wife. I still speak a little too fast and at some times too quietly but it’s a marked improvement compared to the last project of this nature. I think a lot of that stems from working with a more responsive partner as well as the script itself being something more original and collaborative rather than feeling as if I were acting the part of a character using wor someone else had written. I also seem to have potentially gained a little confidence or experience from the last project as some of the feedback received pointed at some of my biggest issues being somewhat resolved (mainly speaking too fast and unconfidently).

script (featuring prop list, costumes, lighting cues, and a few sfx)

Costumes:

Lili: long floral skirt, simple top, scarfs

Guy: oversized dress shirt, ‘peasant’ pants

Props:

• blanket baby
• bed
• box with blankets for baby
• pillows
• radio

Scene 1

Scene begins with Guy and Lili in bed, the stage is in darkness

Lili

(Assertive, not angry)

Please, Guy, not tonight—

Guy

What? What do you mean?

Lili

We can't, I’m not feeling well…

Lights come up just enough to see , but not bright as they don't have electricity.

Guy

Should we call for the neighbors, do you need a doctor?

Lili

No. It's not necessary

Guy

Then why can't I—

Lili

I-I’m with child, I haven't bled. I was sick before you woke this morning, and last week as well, I know it's true.

Guy

Are you sure? What do you mean by “sick”?

Lili

My stomach, I haven’t been able to keep down breakfast in days. And my head, it aches every time I look at the sun. Simply walking pains me.

Guy

Alright, when do you suspect it will come?

Lili

Perhaps during harvest. Thankfully, you’ll be working, and we will have food.

Guy

That's fine.

Awkward silence

Lili

Are you not pleased?

Guy

No, I am, it’s good news.

Guy reaches to embrace her. Lili suddenly pulls away from him in pain.

Lili

I’m sorry, I...feel unwell.

She turns away, trying not to heave. More awkward silence follows.

Lili

(Hesitant) I think I'll be alright, let’s just rest for tonight.

Guy

(Stares at his wife while mostly preoccupied with worry about their finances) Okay.

Lili

Good-night, my love.

Guy

Mm, you too.

Lights fade to black

---

Scene 2

Lili stands over a crib, quietly humming a lullaby with the child in her arms. She places the baby in the crib and walks over to bed where Guy is already lying down, awake.

Lili

Goodnight Little Guy, sleep well. We need to do all we can to give him more than we had.

Guy

What do you mean? He just an infant, what more could need besides what he already has?

Lili

We need to think ahead, education is expensive, we need to put aside money now. Can you talk to Mr. Assad about getting more work?

Guy

I am already asking for more work than all the other men, I can't ask for anything more.

Lili

Guy, it can't hurt to ask.

Guy

No, it's not worth the risk to seem so needy all the time.

Lili

Guy, put aside your pride for once and think about our home, our baby. I am telling you to ask tomorrow.

awkward silence no. 3, Lili gets up in frustration to check on the child

Guy

Did we wake the child? (Heavy sigh) Perhaps you’re right, I will ask Mr. Assad for extra work tomorrow.

Lili

Thank you, it’d be so wonderful to have any extra money.

Guy

However, it's very unlikely. We shouldn't plan for anymore than what we have now.

Lili puts the baby down and returns to bed.

Lili

Well, we will know by tomorrow.

Guy

Don't get your get hopes up, Lili, we can't afford anymore disappointment.

Lili

What do you mean disappointment?

Awkward silence, the two look away from each other, Guy looks back at Lili however she is still turned the other way.

Lili

(Impatient) What do you mea-

Guy

(shouting) Lili, that's enough.

The baby wakes up and starts wailing (sound) Lili stares at Guy, stunned by his aggression, then shakes her head in disbelief. She walks towards the baby and the scene fades to black as Lili cradles the bay and sings to it. Guy stands on the other side of the stage looking away. As the lights fade, Guy stands with a single spotlight on him. His face shows regret and frustration.

---

Scene 3

Scene opens in the bedroom, with the baby box moved offstage before the lights go up. The pair are listening to a radio, arguing between music and sleeping. Lili is humming to the song and Guy is prepared for bed. The song ends just as the lights settle in. The music quietly plays in the background of the scene.

Guy:

Lili, we should sleep now.

Lili

Just one more song, I've a had long day. The music helps me to relax.

Guy

(under his breath) You've had a long day?

Lili hears him, music still plays in the background. Lili slowly turns towards him.

Lili

Yes. I did.

Guy

I meant no offense. I just.. I worked all day. I need to sleep. I can’t sleep when the radio is on.

Lili

I spent my day raising our son, taking care of the home. Just as I do everyday...alone—

Guy

(somewhat cutting her off) I know.

Lili

(Snappy. A little sassy) Do you really?

Guy

(Sighs) Yes. Please, let's just sleep… Please.

Lili

One more song.

Lili turns up the music and closes her eyes. She slowly waltzes by herself. Guy leaves the room, obviously displeased. Lili doesn’t react to his frustration. The lights fade to black. The music stays on during the blackout for a few seconds, then fades.

---

Scene 4

The lights fade up quickly. Lili storms in while Guy trails behind her, clearly peeved by her yelling.

Lili

(On the verge of tears) I can not believe you did that! He bled. That was too far.

Lili runs to the bed and sits down, sobbing into her hands. Guy tries to apologize and touch her shoulder, and she violently pushes him away in her anger.

Lili

(Yelling) DO NOT touch me!!!!

Guy

Lili, he needs to learn. It's what our parents did to us! Why should he be raised any different?

Lili

When we had this child we promised to never be like our parents. We promised to give him more. We wanted to give him the future they couldn’t.

Guy

I just-

Lili

We want to give him a future, not hit him.

Guy

Please sto-

Lili

I mean, what does violence really teach him? What does hitting him tell him about compassion or love.

Guy

Stop-

The tension builds until they are both talking over each other. Finally-

Guy

Grabs Lili by the shoulders and aggressively throttles her, her crying stops.

BE QUIET!

Lili stares at Guy in shock, before sobbing even harder. She turns away from him.

Guy

(With strong regret) Lili...

Lili

No.

Guy

(Stuttering in disbelief) I..I didn't.. I didn't mean it. I don't know. I just got so-

Lili turns back towards him and looks him in the eye.

Lili

How dare you. (Whimpering) You are not the man I married.

Guy

Lili.. I’m.. I’m sorry.

Lili

You are...angry. You're aggressive. You aren't there for your son. You aren't there for me. You don't support the family. We’re hungry, tired. Your son barely knows you. (Moment of silence) I can't… I don't love you anymore.

Guy

(Suddenly angry again)

You're not perfect yourself, so you shouldn’t expect me to be.

Lili

Excuse me? Everything I do is for our son. We both promised a better life for him, just because he has more opportunities than you-

Guy

(Cuts her off)

Don't you dare accuse me of jealousy.

Lili

(Yelling) You know it’s true-

Guy

(Yells over her)

I said, be quiet, Lili!

Lili

(Staring at him) You've probably woken him up again. (Leaves quickly)

Lights fade and a spotlight stays on Guy. The spotlight slowly fades as he stares in Lili’s direction.

End scene

---

Scene 5

Lili and Guy are together in the house. Lili is tidying up the bedroom while Guy

tries to make small talk.

Guy

I bought some flowers from the women down the street. I left them on the table.

Lili doesn't respond, she is clearly ignoring him. She doesn't look his way.

Guy

Tries again

I talked to Mr. Assad about getting a day off next week to spend time with you and Little Guy.

Lili

(Curtly)

You shouldn't, we need the money.

Guy

I just thought it would be good-

Lili

It wouldn't be. You need to work.

Guy

Alright. Would you like me to buy some vegetables after work for dinner tonight?

Lili

No, I will go.

Guy sits in silence, clearly upset. A few moments go by.

Guy

Do you love me anymore?

Lili looks at him, looks into his eyes, then turns away. She leaves the room and stops just before the door. She hesitates to respond but ends up leaving in silence. Guy sits alone.

Guy gets up and tries to tidy the room, but doesn’t really accomplish anything. The lights fade out.

Stage and set design

 The set that I would like to use would be extremely simple, for two main reasons. The first is that the main characters live in abject poverty, to the point they are unable to consistently afford to eat a meal a day. This would be further reflected by the stark bareness of their bedroom, the only setting the scenes would take place in. The couple would sleep upon small mats on the floor, and during the one scene that would involve their newborn child Little Guy, it would feature what is represented in the picture as “The Baby Box”, or, a literal cardboard box with blankets in it for the baby to sleep in. In later scenes, there would be a small radio (sadly not depicted in the current set drawing).

Script progress week1

 Scene 1

Scene begins with Guy and Lili in bed, the stage is in darkness

Lili

(Assertive, not angry)

Please, Guy, not tonight—

Guy

What? What do you mean?

Lili

We can't, I’m not feeling well…

Lights come up just enough to see , but not bright as they don't have electricity.

Guy

Should we call for the neighbors, do you need a doctor?

Lili

No. It's not necessary

Guy

Then why can't I—

Lili

I-I’m with child, I haven't bled. I was sick before you woke this morning, and last week as well, I know it's true.

Guy

Are you sure? What do you mean by “sick”?

Lili

My stomach, I haven’t been able to keep down breakfast in days. And my head, it aches every time I look at the sun. Simply walking pains me.

Guy

Alright, when do you suspect it will come?

Lili

Perhaps during harvest. Thankfully, you’ll be working, and we will have food. 

Guy

That's fine.

Awkward silence

Lili

Are you not pleased?

Guy

No, I am, it’s good news.

Guy reaches to embrace her. Lili suddenly pulls away from him in pain.

Lili

I’m sorry, I...feel unwell.

She turns away, trying not to heave. More awkward silence follows.

Lili

(Hesitant) I think I'll be alright, let’s just rest for tonight.

Guy

(Stares at his wife while mostly preoccupied with worry about their finances) Okay.

Lili

Good-night, my love.

Guy

Mm, you too.

Lights fade to black

Scene 2

Lili stands over a crib, quietly humming a lullaby with the child in her arms. She places the baby in the crib and walks over to bed where Guy is already lying down, awake.

Lili

Goodnight Little Guy, sleep well. We need to do all we can to give him more than we had.

Guy

What do you mean? He just an infant, what more could need besides what he already has?

Lili

We need to think ahead, education is expensive, we need to put aside money now. Can you talk to Mr. Assad about getting more work? 

Guy

I am already asking for more work than all the other men, I can't ask for anything more.

Lili

Guy, it can't hurt to ask.

Guy

No, it's not worth the risk to seem so needy all the time.

Lili

Guy, put aside your pride for once and think about our home, our baby. I am telling you to ask tomorrow. 

awkward silence no. 3, Lili gets up in frustration to check on the child

Guy

Did we wake the child? (Heavy sigh) Perhaps you’re right, I will ask Mr. Assad for extra work tomorrow. 

Lili

Thank you, it’d be so wonderful to have any extra money.

Guy

However, it's very unlikely. We shouldn't plan for anymore than what we have now. 

Lili puts the baby down and returns to bed.

Lili

Well, we will know by tomorrow. 

a character analysis

My character is Guy (the father) from A Wall of Fire Rising. I imagine him to be between 25-40 years old, and his physical appearance would be one not necessarily shoddy and unclean, but it would be clear he was living in poverty with his wife, and eventually his child.


In my mind, I see Guy as the kind of man who presents himself as very stoic and walled off, he wouldn't speak with emotion very often, and never any strong emotion. He also wants to be seen as the stereotypical “ideal man”, one who is strong and can provide for his family. However, in contrast to this apathy, the last two scenes would most likely involve some strong emotions, particularly those of anger, frustration, lack of self-approval, and so on. These would arise from an explosive argument with his estranged wife, Lili.


While the scene I will be acting in lacks in a solid and clear-cut plot, the scene is more about exploring and adding themes to the original short story source material. While Guy may come across as lacking in definable motivation, I envision that some of the causes of his motivation would change scene by scene. However, I think he would have simple and static desires, mainly stability with a side of intimacy, the latter causing a conflict in the first scene. I’d like to be able to portray his motivations evolving (or devolving) with his emotions and relationships as the scenes go on, starting with simplicity, then growing frustration and wanting things to go his way, and at the end these would all still exist as motivations for him, but would be shoved aside in lieu of freedom and death.


Numerous obstacles are in Guy’s hopeless path to achieving his goals, among them namely his lack of education, stable work, inability to escape poverty, his own negative mentality, his wife growing apart from him, and so on. Unfortunately, these would all be “fixed” by Guy simply taking the easier route and choosing oblivion.


In terms of backstory, I’m not really sure if any would be necessary to speak about, as our script intends to provide a few scenes that occur before the beginning of the original story, giving the source a sort of prologue.

Brainstorm stuff

Themes/Vision: Sexual tension/frustration, losing love, constant internal conflict, worry, feeling as if you’ve failed (specifically Guy’s dissatisfaction at failing to be the “perfect” man)

Characters: Lili and Guy, Little Guy exists but will not be portrayed. In fact, he will probably be a flour baby.

Setting: Generally, in Haiti. Specifically, Lili and Guy’s bedroom in their home.

Timeline/conflict/“resolution”:

• Starts with Lili finding out she’s pregnant
• LG is born
• (the actual story has started now and it's a few years later)
• Lili worries about LG’s education and future while Guy discusses the prospect of writing LG’s name on the sugar mill job list which leads to a stiff discussion where they speak the way a couple in love wouldn’t
• Soon after, they argue about their issues with each other and their lives, mostly stemming from Guy’s unhappiness.
• They reconcile the night after but after she falls asleep Guy delivers a short monologue where he hints at his suicide the day after and wishes his family well

Staging: Probably color based? Might want sparse furnishing/not a wide open stage to help the feeling of pent up “feelings”/cabin fever?/also they’re poor and won’t have a lot of space