From Charleston and Spoleto

And now, from current-time, Kathy and I are on our annual (sixth year, I believe) marathon visit to the always-interesting Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto festival events in the charming town of Charleston, S.C. We usually try to cram in as much as we can during a weekend, almost always Memorial Day weekend, and this year is no exception.

We drove into town on Saturday, checked into the hotel, and immediately left for Mount Pleasant and a production about the musical life of Bobby Darin. There was much to be liked about the production, especially the singing/interpretation of the lead actor (playing Bobby) and the great band they seem to be able to assemble at the Village Playhouse for these events (not our first time there). However, being what we are, we spent the drive back into town dissecting what we would change about the show if WE were doing it. There were only two actors on stage, and "Bobby" also ended up telling a lot of the biography. We'd have put a third actor on stage and just let Bobby be Bobby throughout. And a few other nitpicky things. But when the music was cooking, this was a lot of fun to watch.

We returned and quickly went off to our next show, a production of "La Cage aux Folles." It had its moments. Just not enough. A few of the voices/actors left something to be desired, and they should have hired a choreographer. (Now, there might have BEEN a choreographer, mind you, but they should have hired someone else.) Not very comfortable seats, either, so that made it a bit painful.

We then had our outdoor Jazz performance pushed indoors, and an hour-plus later, by rain. By that time, for better or for worse, we were in a restaurant drinking good wines and eating delicious Italian. We did not make it to the rescheduled jazz show. Ah, well. We had fun anyway (and the rain stopped until about 3 a.m., of course.)

More to come!