Customer Reviews

Monkey Monkey Bottle of Beer, How Many Monkeys Have We Here? (Broadway Theatre Archive) [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title for this play originates from a counting nursery rhyme that indicates who is "it" or "out", so, it may seem apropropriate for the theme of the play. Five women arrive separately to the basement of a hospital to learn the results of an experiment conducted on their mentally challenged 8-year olds. Little is known to the women regarding the experiment, except that it is "needle to the brain with no pain." So, no one knows how the experiment turned out, which of their sons could be improved or worse. Therefore, the title of counting rhyme may indicate one or another's son may have a different outcome.

The setting is the basement of a hospital, and we listen as the five woman sit in a circle, taking her place, and waiting to be called for the doctor. As they wait in closeness, the women's personalities are soon revealed, why they are in the program, their personal issues, attitudes, doubts, finances, fears, etc. There is some dramatic confrontation. So, the gist of the play is mostly that, sitting, chatting, confronting, while waiting.

The character roles are well-defined in the short time we learn about them, and, the acting is well-done. Toward the end, one woman meets with her 8-year old, and realizes he is changed. However, the kid, about 8 years old is not a good actor and unfortunately he had more than enough lines. His acting was so forced and on the brink of noticeable and irritating. It was highly distracting to the work.

Other than that, the play was nothing too memorable. Playwright Marsha Steiness, who has written about 5 plays, is new to me. ........Rizzo.

Strange story, part of the Broadway Theater Archive Series, that brings an other-worldly atmosphere to the sterile and coldish setting of a waiting room in a city hospital, where five women have assembled to retrieve their children from a lengthy experimental procedure. The two-act play, written by Marsha Sheiness, and first produced by The Cincinnatti Playhouse In The Park in 1975, is a low-key drama with mounting tension and striking development, made almost surreal by what seems a monster lurking behind a closet door. Act Two delivers a quietly powerful punch, as if dazed and relieved by hallucinatory delirium after a slam to the head. A most rewarding and unusual play in an excellent production by the PBS 'Theater In America' series. The bizarre title is in reference to a children's rhyme.

I titled this review, "Memory Lane," because back in the 1970s I was a theater student and this was a live performance that our class went to see. I tried to find it for years without success but finally was able to get a copy of this production. It's a very strange play with a very strange title but I enjoyed it. I would have thought the movie/play would make more sense now that I'm older than when I first saw it. Nope. It doesn't make any more sense but it's rather emotional and well acted. If you are also looking for a trip down memory lane, don't wait to grab your copy.

I can't remember if I saw this play or read it back in my high school years but have wanted to see thie release for some time. I cannot for the life of me tell you what this play was about other than showing the dramatic acting of some pretty talented people. The ending made no sense to me as I guess I was waiting for something to be resolved. Maybe it's the viewer who is the real experience they speak of??? Having just watched the movie, I don't think one bottle of beer will be quite enough.