Diva

I just got back from seeing Diva at the Pasadena Playhouse. It was good and had some very funny moments, but it wasn't great. (The line about knowing about lesbianism as a result of spending time fucking David Bowie was especially appreciated. I also liked the comment and surrounding context about the fact that Spaceballs is now taught in film school. I approve! There were quite a few references to other people, but I definitely appreciated some far more than others.)

The play is about a diva, but in the old sense of the word (meaning a haughty and spoiled woman) rather than in the sense of a glamerous or distinguished female (especially a singer/actress/etc.). The play follows the travails associated with her sit com (after she had been out of action for a while) and all the broken promises from her, the network, the lead writer, an agent, and just about everybody else associated with the show. (Basically, the show is about Hollywood making fun of itself. The Spaceballs reference came with the idea of people going into and out of style, alternating between being overrated and underrated but never in between. In this case, Mel Brooks was used as the example.)

The thing that really worked about the play is that it progresses backwards in time, so that the broken promises (and several amusing comments) are conveyed very clearly to the audience. This was the play's strongest point. I think this aspect of things was very well done.

I believe that tonight's performance was the last one, so I'll leave this entry with that comment. (Not to end abruptly or anything...)