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Seen yesterday:
1. A Raisin in the Sun. Not a bad production. I was very surprised at how well P Diddy did. I'm sure those feelings are a product of low expectations, but I've seen a fair number of broadway performances and his wasn't even in the bottom third. He tends to rush his lines here and there and his two monologues that should really showcase whatever acting talent he has were kind of flat. But his performance was workable.
Of course, that may just be because the play is brilliant. Lorraine Hansberry's work is just perfect. The themes are timeless. The problems the family faces, although somewhat particular to blacks, resonate with everyone in the audience (even the fat, lazy proles from MN, who I'm sure flew in straight from MR's couch). It's been so long since I've read it that I had forgotten how brilliant it really is.
Phylicia Rashaad was very, very good. The role has become a trite one (black grandmother, serving as glue for a family being pulled in every single direction), but she made it her own and managed to make her character seem like a real person, instead of the simple personification of certain ideals.
2. My Flesh and Blood on HBO2. This documentary is so moving, no one (and I mean no one) can watch it without feeling like you want to give Susan Tom everything you own.
It's about a woman who is taking care of 11 adopted, special-needs children. Some kids have no legs. Some kids have medical and behavioural disorders. Two of her kids have a skin disease that makes your skin detach from your body so it is constantly falling off and you're permanently bandaged. One of her kids was a burn victim as an infant and has severe burns over the majority of her body. Plus she has her own kids from a failed marriage.
It's a simple documentary -- just follows her around on her day to day activities. It is extraordinarily well done, though. And this woman will just amaze you. She is the very definition of strength, courage and compassion. Everyone should see this. If you have Tivo, record it as soon as possible.
TM
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