Show and Tell: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Much like in Love! Valour! Compassion! I was very impressed with Terrence Mcnally's ability to make a play engaging using little more than dialogue and characterization. This play takes place all in one location - Frankie's apartment - and has very little in the way of plot or action. However, the play is very interesting and enjoyable because of the endearing characters and their struggle to find a long-lasting connection.

The play begins with Frankie and Johnny, two coworkers, having just had sex. Throughout the rest of the play, intense and straightforward Johnny attempts to convince hesitant and isolated Frankie that they are destined for something deeper and more real than just casual sex. Johnny is in love with Frankie and convinced that they are soulmates; Frankie has given up on finding love, and she is intimidated and overwhelmed by Johnny's passionate overtures. However, by the time the curtain has gone down at the end of the play, Johnny's heart-on-his-sleeve earnestness has won Frankie's heart, and the play ends the same way it began, with the two lovers in each other's arms.

The Children's Hour

I chose to do my analysis on The Children's Hour because I am a huge fan of the movie. Though the movie is slightly different from the play. 

The  play does not exactly follow the structure of a well-made play. It does not have three acts. We also find out secrets at the same time the other characters do. Where as in a well-made play we might know the secret before the other characters. 

We do get hints of what the secret is but we do not know exactly what is happening. We just know something might be weird about Karen and Martha's relationship. 

I think that it is important for this play to be produced today. I think that it would show the effects of homophobia. It would not get the same reaction today as it did when it was first produced. 

Love! Valour! Compassion!

Love! Valour! Compassion! was very different from the other two plays. The plot does not follow the guidelines of a well-made play at all. The plot is not linear. There really isn't a resolution either. I found this play to be more about the characters and how they relate to each other rather than the sequence of events. Thats why when I did my project I tied them all together and the central thing that tied them together was the house. They all came to the house for the summer for different holidays. Several of the characters are tied together by similar hobbies or relationships.

I felt as if the characters were somewhat changed by each other. I don't think some of them would have acted the way they did had they not been stuck in a house together.

Glass of Water

I felt like one of the moments that did not make sense was the kiss between Bolingbroke and the Duchess. It seemed to come out of nowhere. I was under the impression they hated each other. They rest of the play seemed to follow the structure of a well-made play. This scene just came out of nowhere. I could not find the other scene that did not fit. I just thought the kiss was completely out of place. They seem to go back and forth between liking and disliking each other. It was very confusing.

Eurydice

“A wedding is for daughters and fathers. The mothers all dress up, trying to look like young women. But a wedding is for a father and daughter. They stop being married to each other on that day.”

I chose this quote because it really spoke to me. I think weddings are for fathers and daughters. The moment when a father gives away his daughter is very significant. Although I don't think this necessarily  has to be a daughter and father. I think the mother could also be the one to give away her daughter. Really the father is just the one elected to give her away.

"Dead people can't sing!"

I really like this quote because when I think of music I think of life. Music can make anyone happy or sad or angry. Music is used to evoke emotion. In musicals when a person sings it is because they cannot express what they want to say just by speaking. What they have to say is so important that they have no choice but to sing.can't sing!"