Bonus Play: Matt and Ben! by Mindy Kaling & Brenda Withers

First off I'm gonna start this post off by saying Matt and Ben is one of my all time favorite plays! It is a hilarious show that I enjoy reading every time I pick it up. Now keep in mind this play is intended to be played by two woman, but it can go both ways. Mat and Ben is based off of yes you guessed it, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Before they hit it big with their Academy Award Winning script  Good Will Hunting  the two boys are broke living in a small two bedroom apartment in Boston. While they are trying to achieve fame we find them writing a crappy film adaption of Catcher In The Rye. When suddenly their award winning script magically falls from the ceiling completely finished. The two have to decide whether they cash in on this or throw it away in fear that they might get caught with it. Now since were in a script analysis class I presume this would be the appropriate time to apply what I've learned. When looking at  Matt and Ben  the underlining question of the play is simple. "Will they take the easy road or the hard road to achieve success?" Inevitably the characteristics of the two collide when we see hard working and innocent Matt Damon and lazy and big headed Ben Affleck fighting over what to do with the script. Matt wants to take the high road and get rid of it whereas Ben wants to do the complete opposite. This play is one that I absolutely love the crazy antics and shenanigans that happen on stage make it well worth the read.

4000 Miles #5

4000 Miles

I think the ultimate motif behind this play focuses on the personal stories and lives of the characters. When I read 4000 Miles it was almost like watching real life rather than a play. It doesn't have any fancy costumes or elaborate/ eccentric characters. It just takes a strong approach on the dialogue and the different lives of the characters. It is almost like we are strictly there to observe what is going on and for us to interpret why things are the way they are based off of the character’s actions and decisions. When looking at the lives of these characters we direct our intention on to how the three are individually dealing with their own change. Each character has their own story and as the play progresses you begin to discover more about them. That is what I believe that was Amy Herzog’s main motif when writing this play. To portray how different people can have a different outcome or interpretations in life. More importantly how a common event that is shared by Leo, Vera, and Bec can affect them differently. The play is set right at the time Leo arrives in New York to visit his grandmother, Vera.  Prior to this arrival Leo had a traumatic experience in which his best friend has lost his life. This seemingly has left Leo to feel lost without any sense of direction. What drove him to seek comfort with his Vera is uncertain, but regardless of what has happened she notices something is wrong and humbly takes him in. Though his friend’s death is a very sensitive topic I began to notice a reoccurring pattern with Leo. Whenever his family or more specifically his mother is brought up Leo tends to lose his cool. For a majority of the play it’s never really mentioned why he is so angry until he finally unfolds and reveals what has happened. Because of this I feel Vera is able to sense he is troubled which is why she feels the need to take him in. If we were to look at the big picture of this and decipher what is the main question of the show it would be, “Who needs who?” Does Leo need Vera to help him get through this or does Vera need Leo so she can have a sense of want. Ultimately I believe it was Herzog’s main intention to show that the changes of one person can affect the lives of others. 

Damn Judith You Scary #4

Howard Barker’s Judith is a chillingly power play centered on lust and betrayal. Judith a prostitute is sent to the bedchamber of Holofernes a powerful general leading an attack against Israel. This puts Judith in a difficult position when she must make the decision of whether or not she should murder Holofernes. In doing so she would save the lives of thousands of people and put an end to the war. However, conflict arises within Judith’s character when she is faced with the opportunity of ending his life. Because of this conflict I firmly believe the major dramatic question of the play is does Judith actually love Holofernes. In loving him it is the only thing that would prevent her from going through with his death. Judith is faced with a tough decision. On one hand it logically makes sense to end his life, but on the other hand her heart is invested in him. Inevitably making his death a difficult one. As the Servant says “one of them is lying but who?” It is in my opinion that Judith truly does love him, and the only lie she is telling is that she doesn't love him. It gives reason and justifies the way she acts after Holofernes is dead making it in my opinion the main question of the script.