tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post9043877854899101491..comments2023-12-27T05:20:26.800-05:00Comments on BAM blog: In Context: The Tallest Tree in the ForestUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-3698581121188726622015-04-04T01:00:17.129-04:002015-04-04T01:00:17.129-04:00Thank you Daniel Beaty & BAM, for presenting t...Thank you Daniel Beaty & BAM, for presenting the story of larger-than-life Paul Robeson. Now more than ever, we need to know about people like him and I highly recommend this play. My only criticism is that the beginning was a bit slow, but the development of the characters became stronger as the play unfolded and I found the second half completely riveting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-48593659979893256992015-03-30T15:10:56.940-04:002015-03-30T15:10:56.940-04:00Agree 100%Agree 100%Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-2597541187422808772015-03-30T15:10:05.333-04:002015-03-30T15:10:05.333-04:00I thought this was awful. Leaden, pious, preachy s...I thought this was awful. Leaden, pious, preachy self-congratulatory, amateurish, utterly lacking in theatricality. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-55921934516549061232015-03-30T11:11:53.984-04:002015-03-30T11:11:53.984-04:00It takes someone special to try to bring Paul Robe...It takes someone special to try to bring Paul Robeson to the stage again. Paul Robeson, Mr. Beaty is not. But, Mr. Beaty did convey the power and compelling energy and heartbreaking tragedy of Paul Robeson's life, gifts and struggle. For anyone who did not know Paul Robeson, Mr. Beaty gave a clear idea and even some thrills in his performance. For those of us who did know Paul Robeson, Mr. Beaty's performance was a strong one and the music, visuals, and historical facts reminded us of the incredible suffering and courage of our people, both African American and caucasian, for civil rights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-59971534733494620832015-03-29T23:22:29.055-04:002015-03-29T23:22:29.055-04:00Btw, the script got Peekskill events wrong. The co...Btw, the script got Peekskill events wrong. The concert was scheduled for August 27, but rioters successfully shut it down, and the concert was postponed until September 4. That concert was still marred by the presence of a sniper's nest that was flushed out before the show started.unreceivedogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823933164173939883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-42755428163923441782015-03-29T23:05:30.910-04:002015-03-29T23:05:30.910-04:00I have had the excellent fortune to know Paul Robe...I have had the excellent fortune to know Paul Robeson Jr over a short period, as his foundation contributed significant financial support to a project of mine some 25 years ago, in the late 80s, and I reciprocated by attending and supporting some of his fundraising events.<br /><br />I have read most of the biographies written about Paul Robeson. I have original printings of "Paul Robeson, Negro" by Eslanda Goode Robeson, aka Elsie, and "Here I Stand" by Paul.<br /><br />I was looking forward to seeing how well this artistic creation would be able to do justice to the political thought processes that Paul had to engage in, and to the issues of gender justice that Elsie had to confront way before those issues fully arrived on the national stage in the early 70s.<br /><br />I have too many thoughts and feelings about this work to put down here. Suffice to say, the authors and performers did a heroic job of untangling some of the major distorted myths about Robeson's political positions that seem at first glance contradictory, contradictory with the help of agents who have a stake in tarnishing this artist's - notwithstanding his flaws - singularly principled stands.unreceivedogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823933164173939883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-52475246893354478612015-03-29T22:14:13.446-04:002015-03-29T22:14:13.446-04:00I'm afraid to say that this was a very poor pi...I'm afraid to say that this was a very poor piece of theatre. Badly written, and lacking in any kind of drama or emotion, it resembled the Paul Robeson wikipedia page joined up with silly voices and some songs. Poor like a school play than a serious piece of writing, more like a singer than an actor. I've never had a better laugh than listening to Daniel's attempt at a Welsh accent via Cape Town. Why is BAM putting on such a poor piece ? Seriously poor standard with very little to commend it, sorry. Must do better. magicmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04613679882945060888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-7077469642051460332015-03-29T10:37:40.452-04:002015-03-29T10:37:40.452-04:00I cannot say enough good things about the performa...I cannot say enough good things about the performance, the theater, and even my seat. Beaty carries on all conversations by himself --conversations with everyone from his wife to Harry Truman and his impressions of the U.S., Russian and French press as well as his languages including Yiddish are sometimes amusing and sometimes appropriately tragic. There is no need for other actor/parties to be present! Such a fascinating period in our history --a favorite of mine --late 40's …McCarthyism and the House Un-American Committee in full swing with Paul Robeson's life as a Black person in the middle of all of it. Oh, and I failed to mention his beautiful voice --yes, he sings too!Pam Blairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02806753880392586316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-8288171844864131802015-03-28T22:45:23.558-04:002015-03-28T22:45:23.558-04:00My husband and I enjoyed Beaty's performance i...My husband and I enjoyed Beaty's performance immensely, as well as the writing, music, and staging of this show. I agree that the show should be extended and more extensively publicized. dlamb7877@aol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-1800945812354543112015-03-28T10:05:03.612-04:002015-03-28T10:05:03.612-04:00Bam should extend this show! This is the best thea...Bam should extend this show! This is the best theater I have seen in a long time. Paul Robeson was an important figure in my family. Thank you, Mr Beaty for giving him the attention he deserves.lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03056188351156884565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-87413814330051664212015-03-27T07:43:15.230-04:002015-03-27T07:43:15.230-04:00A fabulous informative show, Daniel Beaty was just...A fabulous informative show, Daniel Beaty was just soo wonderful, animated and what a voice.<br />A real treat.<br />Goycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11204604738266020788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-67297307408784121742015-03-26T13:35:33.282-04:002015-03-26T13:35:33.282-04:00I loved the show and was very impressed by Beaty a...I loved the show and was very impressed by Beaty and his ability to play so many parts. This show should be seem by a wider audience. Congratulations to BAM for bringing it to NY.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-60496275882503467742015-03-26T12:13:10.670-04:002015-03-26T12:13:10.670-04:00What a stolid, awful show.What a stolid, awful show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-23998053188070850642015-03-26T08:19:05.267-04:002015-03-26T08:19:05.267-04:00Unbelievable acting to tell a story that's sim...Unbelievable acting to tell a story that's simultaneously historical and timely. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-64415737092391015892015-03-25T22:24:13.404-04:002015-03-25T22:24:13.404-04:00Fantastic performance and a thought provoking slic...Fantastic performance and a thought provoking slice of history in all its complexity. Still so relevant to today's political and social dilemmas. A must see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-48257454572718343122015-03-25T11:16:23.031-04:002015-03-25T11:16:23.031-04:00My friends and I enjoyed the performance and the s...My friends and I enjoyed the performance and the selected content about Robeson's life. I would definitely recommend seeing this play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-43344211371548335232015-03-24T06:59:08.604-04:002015-03-24T06:59:08.604-04:00Absolutely awesome performance at BAM Harvey Theat...Absolutely awesome performance at BAM Harvey Theater 3/22, I cannot recommend this show highly enough. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-48788801033180388392015-03-23T09:15:26.858-04:002015-03-23T09:15:26.858-04:00It was a great show. Beaty improved as the show w...It was a great show. Beaty improved as the show went on. His voice is amazing. It was very informative and gripping. Not a light show for sure. I cried the entire second half. <br />The effects of the back projection of footage was a nice addition and I loved having the accompanying musicians on the stage with him. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775129324064948995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-28836116519952654562015-03-23T07:52:14.280-04:002015-03-23T07:52:14.280-04:00Beaty was fabulous. A diversity of talent .... pe...Beaty was fabulous. A diversity of talent .... perhaps similar to his subject, Robeson! His capacity to hold a dialogue between multiple characters as a solo performers was not something we can remember experiencing. We were blown away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-11426764000340321192015-03-23T02:59:38.845-04:002015-03-23T02:59:38.845-04:00My family and I just saw "The Tallest Tree In...My family and I just saw "The Tallest Tree In The Forest". WOW! Daniel Beaty's brilliance took our breath away.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-17368960257554008682015-03-22T21:56:43.810-04:002015-03-22T21:56:43.810-04:00I had a front row seat, and had a chance to observ...I had a front row seat, and had a chance to observe a genius of craft at work. Daniel Beaty was an entire cast in one person. He is a gifted actor, tackling one of the giants of the 20th Century, and he absolutely smashed it. Fabulous show; if you're lucky to catch Daniel Beaty now, you'll be able to say, "I remember him when..." Stellar performance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com