Two Gentlemen of Verona

Yesterday we saw the play, Two Gentlemen of Verona. When we walked into the theatre, the first detail I noticed was that the setting was in the roaring 20’s instead of the 1500’s. This detail made the play hard to follow because there were men talking in Shakespeare words but wearing modern day suites. I would have followed the play easier if the men and women were dressed in tights and long, jeweled dresses. The eye-catching part of the play was a real dog acting a part on the stage. Even though the dog just sat there and knocked over a prop, the dog still made me chuckle. The dog only impressed me once when he went straight to the closet to find a man hiding in there. The third detail I noticed was that all of the actors were tap dancers. Each of them was given a part to be in the center of the spotlight, so they could show off their tap dancing skills. They were all superior. This play made the audience enthusiastic because everyone was standing and clapping for all of the actors.  Reviewed by Lauren

Today I went to see the Shakespearian play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, at the Mesa Arts Center Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse Theater. My initial reaction was about the setting. I enjoyed the setting of the Roaring Twenties, although I wish they changed it to match the original. It was especially difficult to transition to gangsters in the city instead of outlaws in the forest. I also thought that since the actors spoke in Shakespeare’s language, then they should set it in Shakespeare’s time so the words match the setting. My second reaction was about the live dog onstage, Crab. I really thought the dog was a great addition to this show, although I would like the dog trained so that it can make lots of laughter with its tricks. The main scene for the dog was that he was supposed to urinate on the Duke’s daughter’s dress, but in the play they only talked about it.  My last reaction was about the music. Even though it was not Shakespeare’s music, I really thought the ukuleles were an amazing addition to the play. I also liked all the music because it was very modern, and it was so easy to follow. I was disappointed at the play for some parts, but it was humorous many times. Reviewed by Samantha

                                

Catapults!

The Odyssey - A One Man Show

Shipwrecks, sirens, and mythical creatures meet adventure, magic, and revenge! Acclaimed solo artist Charlie Bethel (Beowulf) re-imagines Homer's famous epic story in a faithful yet accessible format for those who slept through Greek Literature. Voyage across land and sea, through the underworld, to the top of Mt. Olympus with the brave and courageous hero, Odysseus, as he valiantly seeks his homeland and the arms of his wife and child. Don’t miss this thrilling epic adventure.

            The Return is the very last adventure in the book. Now that Ulysses has arrived he needs some help killing the hundred suitors, so he asks his son and the swineherd to help.  They trick the suitors into trying Ulysses bow that nobody else can use. Everybody fails; Ulysses shows his actual identity because he has been acting like a beggar. He fights all of the suitors until nobody is alive. The word I learned in this chapter is “exultant”; the definition is joyful. I am glad Ulysses never gives up hope because after more than seventeen adventures he is back to Ithaca and his wife Penelope. (The last of 17 paragraphs written by Samantha summarizing The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin.)

The tone is the author’s attitude towards the topic. We are reading the Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin, which is based on Homer’s story, The Odyssey. The tone of Bernard Evslin’s novel is vindictive and revengeful. Poseidon is extremely vindictive in this tale. Ulysses is arrogant to Poseidon, so Poseidon wants to destroy Ulysses and his crew and make a ten day journey home, a ten year journey home with violent and malicious events. Ulysses also makes Poseidon angry because he stabs Poseidon’s son’s eye with a gargantuan wooden stick. In this story, the Greek gods and goddesses risk their property or friendship with Poseidon, and help Ulysses with either a trick or advice to aid his arrival at another destination. Poseidon would punish the gods and goddesses who would help Ulysses, but most of the gods and goddesses did not like Poseidon because of his vindictive and revengeful personality. Finally Ulysses arrives at Nausicaa’s island where her parents are the king and queen of Phaeacia. When Ulysses tells the family his name, the king gives Ulysses a ship to sail home just before Poseidon wakes up, but the punishment that the king and queen receive is that their ship is made into stone, and nobody can come into the port. Ulysses is also vengeful because he slays the hundred suitors surrounding his house. The tone of this story is vindictive and vengeful but appropriate for the warrior Ulysses returning home from the Trojan War. (Tone essay by Lauren)

Vocabulary from The Adventure of Ulysses

Lore	“Prologue”	Noun	Stories that give knowledge
Oxhide	“Ships and Men”	Noun	Ox skin
Hail	“The Ciconians”	Verb	Call attention
Gale	“The Lotus Eaters”	Noun	Strong wind or storm at sea
Fleet	“The Cyclops Cave”	Noun	The crew
Helm	“Keeper of the Winds”	Noun	Steering apparatus of the ship
Basin	“Cannibal Beach”	Noun	A bay or inlet of water
Haughty	“Circe”	Adjective	Too proud
Girdling	“The Land of the Dead”	Adverb	Encircling
Skirt	“The Wandering Rocks”	Verb	Travel on the edges
Provisions	“The Sirens”	Noun	Food and drink
Thrice	“Scylla and Charybdis”	Adverb	Three times
Dappled	“Cattle of the Sun”	Adjective	Spotted
Elysian Fields	“Calypso”	Noun	A place where Greek heroes go after they die
Meddlesome	“Ino’s Veil”	Adjective	Nosy
Flask	“Nausicaa”	Noun	Container for liquid
Exultant	“The Return”	Adjective	Joyful

Butterfly Wonderland

         Yesterday we went on an amazing trip to Butterfly Wonderland. In the beginning of the building there is a movie shortened from the original film, which is very interesting. When I was watching the movie I enjoyed how one of the facts said that two generations fly from Mexico to Canada, and the third generation migrates all the way back to Mexico. I like this because I would think that each generation of butterflies fly the same distance. I also like this because it shows how much strength that butterfly has to have. The film showed a butterfly sanctuary in Mexico. I cannot believe that there are that many butterflies. I also enjoyed that, in my perspective, I could not see one tree because of so many butterflies. Another fact I found interesting is that butterflies lay eggs in people’s backyards. I always thought they hide their eggs, like in the woods. With that said I was surprised they made a chrysalis where a person could see. I really enjoyed seeing the 3D movie. - Samantha

Oaxaca Bark Style Painting - Samantha

        

    

    

    

         I created a tempera painting of the Tree of Life rug at the Heard Museum. When I finished my Tree of Life artwork, I realized how the birds looked like they are ascending towards the opportunities in life. This is why I think my artwork is akin to family, always welcoming new family members and adventures. I enjoyed thinking this because it is similar to how our world works; this is a great example because two lovebirds lead to many more. I also realized how unique each bird is. This example represents how nobody is the same, including animals and birds. It also shows how family members are different from other families’ members. I also enjoy that there is nothing perfect in my painting, just like our world. I can see how the birds do not look flawless, but they can represent these ideas. Everybody has his or her own opinion on the artwork, and that is what I relish about it. I enjoyed making this art piece and seeing the differences and similarities to our world.

            

Oaxaca Bark Style Painting - Lauren

I finished my Oaxaca bark style painting from the Heard Museum Navajo rug weaving inspiration. I focused on only two deer in my rendition: an erect orange stag with purple antlers guarding a violet doe nesting in the lush grass. I placed the stag guarding the doe because that is the male’s job. It was difficult creating the stag because I had to show the hip bones and where his body connects. The background I chose for the painting was a tan colored brown for a mountain and a pale blue sky. I wanted a soft and authentic background, so it would not be the focus of the painting; I wanted the deer to be the focus of the painting. The mountain shows that they are in their natural setting; safe from human contact but not safe from natural predators. The tree in this painting represents shelter and permanence. The cobalt tree arches over my two deer to give them the feeling of being home and protected from the elements. I resisted painting leaves on the tree because I wanted to reduce the amount of detail in my painting and just show the simplicity of nature. Even though I struggled with making natural looking animals, I enjoyed the process and painting, and I am pleased with the outcome.

Cinderella Ballet

As if stepping between the pages of a beloved storybook, Ib Andersen’s Cinderella vividly delights audiences with the beauty and majesty of classical ballet, wrapped in the promise of “happily ever after,” and generously sprinkled with a wonderful dose of humor. Complete with a fairy Godmother, a handsome prince and an unforgettable ball, the magnificent staging, music and costumes make this production a delight for all ages.