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A review of “A History of the American Film”

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Posted to Theatre by Tracy Nectoux on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 6:00 am

As is often the case, I entered the Krannert Center's Colwell Playhouse knowing next to nothing about what I was about to see. If I'd read more about this particular play, I'd probably not have attended. Christopher Durang's "A History of the American Film" is a parody of the classic 1930s–1940s musicals and films that the WWII Generation enjoyed. Good Girl Loretta falls in love with Jimmy the Gangster, and through their adventures we're treated to an historical account of …

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Nice, killer work pretty man…the channeled, one sided collaborated rhyming poem.  An oft forgot genre.   The ruckus was felt even here in my living room, which is normally a safe haven from ruckus.    

Posted by russell evatt to the entry 'Stories & Beer #2: don't call it a comeback on 03/18/10.
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It appears to me that your reviewer did all that could be expected: she paid her money, saw the play and conveyed her impressions. The review (on the whole, laudatory) may have been rushed, in a generous attempt to publicize the production while it was still available…

Posted by Stuart L. Albert--Library Specialist to the entry 'A review of "A History of the American Film" on 03/17/10.
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That settles it… Im going.

Posted by Bonzo to the entry 'Tied up in knots on 03/17/10.
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I didn’t know that the LED was created here. That’s awesome.

Posted by Mark Laughlin to the entry 'C-U's first Early Spring Literary Festival on 03/15/10.
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It’s a total shame this is only during working hours!  It sounds great, but I’m one of those who can’t slip away very readily during the 9-to-5.  Next time, a request: weekend events, please?  

Posted by Annie Weisner to the entry 'C-U's first Early Spring Literary Festival on 03/15/10.
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Nuts. Sorry I saw this, um, 15 minutes before CULitFest (my term!) begins. However, one deficit - no beer. SP.com 1, UIUC 0. In all seriousness, hope it goes well!

Posted by Jason Pankoke to the entry 'C-U's first Early Spring Literary Festival on 03/15/10.
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Good stuff as always! I like the theory Zelina presented…curious to see how it plays out with Sawyer, Jin/Sun, and Kate…

Posted by Lorenzo to the entry 'To begin anew... again... on 03/14/10.
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To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…

Posted by Bruce to the entry 'A review of "A History of the American Film" on 03/13/10.
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I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively.   Gold Coins

Posted by Lance Armstrong to the entry 'To begin anew... again... on 03/12/10.
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Zeleni, I had the exact same theory only with the mysterious Man in Black/Smokie granting the wishes. MIB promised Sayid he could have anything in the world he wanted, which turned out to be Nadia. Although he does not necessarily “have” her, she has not died yet…

Posted by Ryan to the entry 'To begin anew... again... on 03/12/10.

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By Beth D to the entry 'Bombay offers up an array of nice vegan options on 03/18/10.
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By Seth Fein to the entry 'Bombay offers up an array of nice vegan options on 03/18/10.
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By emma reaux to the entry 'Illinois Half Marathon Training: Week 9 on 03/18/10.
{username}

Nice, killer work pretty man…the channeled, one sided collaborated rhyming poem.  An oft forgot genre.   The ruckus was felt even here in my living room, which is normally a safe haven from ruckus.    

By russell evatt to the entry 'Stories & Beer #2: don't call it a comeback on 03/18/10.
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wait, I was commenting on the wrong thing - sorry - he’s actually a gigantic sellout but who really knows what all this is about.

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It appears to me that your reviewer did all that could be expected: she paid her money, saw the play and conveyed her impressions. The review (on the whole, laudatory) may have been rushed, in a generous attempt to publicize the production while it was still available…

By Stuart L. Albert--Library Specialist to the entry 'A review of "A History of the American Film" on 03/17/10.

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