A stick-figure Shakespeare comic by Mya Lixian Gosling
So, back in April the Shakespeare Association of America conference offered morning “Shakespeare Yoga” sessions. This basically meant regular yoga with a Shakespeare-inspired soundtrack, but I thought it would be fun to codify some classic Shakespearean yoga poses.
Consulting pocket dramaturg: Kate Pitt, as usual.
If you can think of a Shakespeare equivalent for ‘chaturanga dandasana’, leave me a comment below. I’ve spent way too much time thinking about it.
You know the classic Shakespearean trope where one character (usually a girl disguising herself as a boy) changes her hairstyle or puts on a hat and is suddenly TOTALLY UNRECOGNIZABLE to even her closest friends and family?
Apparently we shouldn’t dismiss it that quickly, based on the real life experiences of my Shakespearean BFF, Kate Pitt.
Have you ever written yourself into a corner and found yourself trapped in a plot complication that seems impossible to untangle? Consider doing what Shakespeare often did in such situations: introduce convenient pirates!
Thanks to my pocket dramaturg, Kate Pitt, for once again consulting with me on this, and for compiling a list of Shakespearean Pirate Names:
A list of Shakespeare pirates:
— Kate Pitt (@KatePitt) May 14, 2019
-Antonio (denied by the accused)
-Bargulus
-Menas
-Menecrates
-Ragozine
-Valdes
-Walter Whitmore
They all have appropriate pirate-y names until the end – I'm pretty sure Walter escaped from Penzance. (h/t to @GoodTickleBrain for the inspiration)
We’re back with the remaining four productions on the Ohio Light Opera 2019 playbill, starting with a classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, possibly the first theatrical piece I memorized as a small child. Because… pirates.
Everyone knows Rodgers and Hammerstein, but Hammerstein did a lot of work with Kern before he really figured out how to effectively integrate these things called “plots” into a musical (Show Boat notwithstanding). Here’s one of their earlier efforts:
A season at OLO wouldn’t be complete without some csardas-fueled Emmerich Kalman (a personal favorite of mine).
And finally, for those fans of hopelessly melodramtic, multi-generational tales of foiled romance, we have this incredibly florid offering from Ivor Novello (aka Jeremy Northam in Gosford Park).
I’m looking forward to seeing all of these next month!
Short break from Shakespeare this week! The Ohio Light Opera, my favorite obscure operetta and early musical theatre festival, is about to open their season this weekend! To celebrate, I’m taking a look at their playbill, starting with some (relatively) heavy hitters.
First up, a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic.
Fun fact: I, a mixed race child of Asian and Caucasian parents, was well into my twenties before I realized Nellie’s problem with Emile was miscegenation. Apparently, I am totally clueless.
Next, some fluffy Gershwin!
I love me some Gershwin, so I am looking forward to this. I’ve seen Crazy For You, the updated, “new and improved” version of Girl Crazy, but I’ve never seen the original.
And now, the opposite of fluffy Gershwin: serious Sondheim.
Tune in Thursday for the rest of the OLO 2019 season, featuring a Gilbert & Sullivan classic and a bunch of REALLY OBSCURE stuff.
Animated GIFs have, for better or worse, become an integral part of how we communicate on social media. While they perhaps don’t elevate a conversation to the same degree that a well-constructed pithy rejoinder would, they are pretty darn entertaining. The only problem? There are never enough Shakespeare GIFs out there! Here are some ones I’ve made that might prove useful in online discourse.
Much Ado About Nothing, 1993
Much Ado About Nothing, 1993
Henry V, 1944
Hamlet, 1996
Twelfth Night, 2012
As You Like It, 2006
Coriolanus, 2014
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1968
If there any particular filmed Shakespeare moment you think would be a good GIF, drop me a comment below and I’ll get to work on it.
Sometimes stupid jokes ambush my brain. And then irresponsible friends encourage me to follow up on them. Thanks a lot, Kate.
“POSSETS. WE SAID DRUG THEIR POSSETS.”
This month I’m returning to my first and favorite comics event, the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival! I’m super-excited to be joining A2CAF for their 10th year anniversary. Stop by, say hi, and maybe pick up the free A2CAF 10th anniversary anthology, featuring an exclusive comic by yours truly!
WHO: Me! In person!
WHAT: Exhibiting in Artist’s Alley!
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 12:00pm-6:00pm, and Sunday, June 16, 12:30pm-5:30pm
WHY: Because it’ll be fun, and I’d love to see you there!
It’s the 426th anniversary of Christopher Marlowe getting stabbed rather fatally in the face in a tavern in Deptford, aged 29. He wrote seven plays, possibly collaborated on more, and heavily influenced Shakespeare. Let’s pour one out for Kit as we take a look at The Massacre at Paris. (Good title…)
That’s it for Marlowe May! Hope you’ve had fun with all the hideous death and drama. Now, go out there and bombast out a blank verse in Kit’s memory!
Next month I’m returning to my first and favorite comics event, the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival! I’m super-excited to be joining A2CAF for their 10th year anniversary. Stop by, say hi, and maybe pick up the free A2CAF 10th anniversary anthology, featuring an exclusive comic by yours truly!
WHO: Me! In person!
WHAT: Exhibiting in Artist’s Alley!
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 12:00pm-6:00pm, and Sunday, June 16, 12:30pm-5:30pm
WHY: Because it’ll be fun, and I’d love to see you there!
