One of the many things we've talked about doing the last 14 years has been going to Manteo, NC to see the Lost Colony. I've heard Bobby talk about it, I've read reviews, I've seen magazine articles about how amazingly awesome this outdoor drama is. We actually had a free weekend the end of May, so we went.
I was more than a tad disgusted/disappointed when I called to get tickets. According to the receptionist, they do offer wheelchair seating but not companion seats (a folding chair that can be placed next to the wheelchair). I would only be allowed to sit behind him. And that irked me more than just a little bit. Yes, I understand handicap seating is limited and there needs to be ample space available for wheelchairs and scooters. I so totally get that. But can you imagine anyone else calling and being told "I'm sorry. Even though it's only two tickets, we are not allowed to place groups together. You'll both have to sit in different rows. But don't worry. You'll be able to see each other and will be within hearing distance during intermission." No one would happily accept that. I let her know I wasn't thrilled with the thought of buying two tickets and yet not being able to sit with my husband. She basically said, "Well, do you want the tickets or not?" although in a nice way. And because we've talked about this so long, I bought them.
When we arrived that night, the seating attendant had no clue where the ADA seating was. I finally intercepted her from checking rows to tell her that ADA was wheelchair seating, and mentioned that my ticket wasn't with his. She just shrugged, and said "Grab a chair. There's plenty." We looked, and sure enough, of the long row of wheelchair seats and folding chair, only two were taken. TWO, out of twenty. So I did.
The acting and sets of the play are truly outstanding. The play itself, not so much. They took a LOT of historical liberties with the script (think the history of the Titanic and the latest movie of the Titanic). The war scenes between the Indians and colonists were done about as tastefully as could be, and yet when they were over, the audience cheered and clapped. And that left us both dumbfounded. Why? Why would you cheer for the death of a person, for the death of a friendship, for the stealing of land and usurption of power, for revenge? What does that say about us as a society that we would find a war scene funny? Yes, there were a few comical moments in one of the scenes, but there was NOTHING content wise that should have prompted the cheers, whooops, and laughter when the scenes ended. It left me very uneasy.
So if I had to grade this particular play, here's how I would grade them:
ADA (American Disabilities Act) Compliance: C-
Ticketing: D
Parking: C-
Employees: B-
Historical Accuracy: D
Acting: A
Staging: A+
Costuming: B
Choreography: B-
Music: A
How's that for an all over the board experience? Photography wasn't allowed, or I would have gladly posted photos of some of the staging, which was totally incredible.
I was more than a tad disgusted/disappointed when I called to get tickets. According to the receptionist, they do offer wheelchair seating but not companion seats (a folding chair that can be placed next to the wheelchair). I would only be allowed to sit behind him. And that irked me more than just a little bit. Yes, I understand handicap seating is limited and there needs to be ample space available for wheelchairs and scooters. I so totally get that. But can you imagine anyone else calling and being told "I'm sorry. Even though it's only two tickets, we are not allowed to place groups together. You'll both have to sit in different rows. But don't worry. You'll be able to see each other and will be within hearing distance during intermission." No one would happily accept that. I let her know I wasn't thrilled with the thought of buying two tickets and yet not being able to sit with my husband. She basically said, "Well, do you want the tickets or not?" although in a nice way. And because we've talked about this so long, I bought them.
When we arrived that night, the seating attendant had no clue where the ADA seating was. I finally intercepted her from checking rows to tell her that ADA was wheelchair seating, and mentioned that my ticket wasn't with his. She just shrugged, and said "Grab a chair. There's plenty." We looked, and sure enough, of the long row of wheelchair seats and folding chair, only two were taken. TWO, out of twenty. So I did.
The acting and sets of the play are truly outstanding. The play itself, not so much. They took a LOT of historical liberties with the script (think the history of the Titanic and the latest movie of the Titanic). The war scenes between the Indians and colonists were done about as tastefully as could be, and yet when they were over, the audience cheered and clapped. And that left us both dumbfounded. Why? Why would you cheer for the death of a person, for the death of a friendship, for the stealing of land and usurption of power, for revenge? What does that say about us as a society that we would find a war scene funny? Yes, there were a few comical moments in one of the scenes, but there was NOTHING content wise that should have prompted the cheers, whooops, and laughter when the scenes ended. It left me very uneasy.
So if I had to grade this particular play, here's how I would grade them:
ADA (American Disabilities Act) Compliance: C-
Ticketing: D
Parking: C-
Employees: B-
Historical Accuracy: D
Acting: A
Staging: A+
Costuming: B
Choreography: B-
Music: A
How's that for an all over the board experience? Photography wasn't allowed, or I would have gladly posted photos of some of the staging, which was totally incredible.
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