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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
This was a very entertaining read, and I can imagine it would be hilarious to see staged. However, I think Fleischman overestimates today's high schoolers--or more specifically, high school administrators.
This book was given to me by my mother, who's looking for a play to direct at her high school next year. Alas, as funny as this play reads, it's certainly not meant for a Midwestern High School.
This book was given to me by my mother, who's looking for a play to direct at her high school next year. Alas, as funny as this play reads, it's certainly not meant for a Midwestern High School.
This started out as a really strong, solid play for me. It is essentially seven plays in one, where the "audience" gets to choose which one they wish to watch by "zapping" or "changing the channel" with remotes provided. As the plays go on they slowly disintegrate and start to impede on each other. While this is amusing, I actually became invested in the plays and sort of wish we could have seen them acted out to fruition. I imagine seeing the play in real life would be hilarious and completely on point.
This is a play that is hilarious to read. I would love to see it performed one day.
The Avant-Garde play is WONDERFUL! Had me laugh out loud every time it was zapped on stage.
The Avant-Garde play is WONDERFUL! Had me laugh out loud every time it was zapped on stage.
This was an amazing concept and an equally amazing read! Multiple plays organized to be viewed as if channel surfing with funny twists and turns. No traditional play writing here. Moves quickly can (and probably should be) read in one sitting.
If you like farcical plays then this is for you!
If you like farcical plays then this is for you!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I always like Paul Fleischman, this play about channel surfing through different genres of literature is no different.
A murder mystery unfolds in the turn of the century England as a party awaits a war hero...ZAP! A disgruntled writer plots revenge on a fellow word craftsman steals and publishes his life story...ZAP! The classic Shakespearean play, Richard III begins...ZAP! A Russian woman is dragged to live in her...ZAP! A one woman show, performance art...ZAP! A couple sees it as no big deal when they find a corpse...ZAP! An artist plots to run away from his Southern home while his grandmother...ZAP!
So is the play by Paul Fleischman, which seems to stem from a conversation I had with my co-worker one afternoon about how short my attention span has become when watching movies on television. And that's just the idea of the play, isn't it not? How we continually flip channels during commercial breaks or during the most important parts of a movie or TV series just to see what's on the other channel? Theatre is dying and television is the box they'll bury it in.
It's a different high school play and quite the humorous read - reminiscent of Noises Off at some scenes. It starts off with something experimental, a play controlled by the audience. The idea is to give the audience remote controls to "change the channel" at any given time. A computer in the back will tally up the number of times a change is requested and when a sufficient number is hit - ZAP! - the play changes. Cramming seven plays into one single piece, Paul Fleischman not only keeps us entertain but holds a mirror to ourselves, examining how disenchanted and jaded we've become with the arts.
Zap is a must for every high school aged student and drama teacher.
So is the play by Paul Fleischman, which seems to stem from a conversation I had with my co-worker one afternoon about how short my attention span has become when watching movies on television. And that's just the idea of the play, isn't it not? How we continually flip channels during commercial breaks or during the most important parts of a movie or TV series just to see what's on the other channel? Theatre is dying and television is the box they'll bury it in.
It's a different high school play and quite the humorous read - reminiscent of Noises Off at some scenes. It starts off with something experimental, a play controlled by the audience. The idea is to give the audience remote controls to "change the channel" at any given time. A computer in the back will tally up the number of times a change is requested and when a sufficient number is hit - ZAP! - the play changes. Cramming seven plays into one single piece, Paul Fleischman not only keeps us entertain but holds a mirror to ourselves, examining how disenchanted and jaded we've become with the arts.
Zap is a must for every high school aged student and drama teacher.
This book had me laughing. I loved that the author decides to use a remote control switch between the different plays.
I was forced to read it when I was in the school play but I'm glad I did, it's fantastic and so entertaining