Farce and Country Music

"Twelfth Night" as a 1930s musical comedy set in Hollywood--and a farce to boot!   What a fabulous way to bring Shakespeare to life.   We laughed so hard at some of the heavy comedy that the seats almost came off their bolts.  The play is truly a masterpiece, but this version played on how much farce there is in it as well as the depth of soul searching and self identification.   It was a blast. The tap dance number at the end just sent this show over the top.

Dinner last night was lovely, in the garden of the Peerless Hotel, our second time there.   Kumamoto oysters from Humboldt Bay in California; a cocktail made with rhubarb juice and vodka; pinot gris and cabernet franc from the Rogue River valley, seared lamb chops, lovely salad with local goat cheese, spanakopita, and panecotta for dessert.   Then an evening under the stars with drinks at the hotel.  It's amazing the number of stars you see when there are few city lights.

Today we hooted at a hillbilly hootenanny version of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Yeoman of the Guard."   It's amazing how interesting the patter songs can be when sung with the accompaniment of a banjo or accordion, or danced in country music costume.   John is sure that Sir Arthur, his great-grandfather John Sharp's drinking partner in Leeds, would have been totally enamored of the production.  

Tonight we head out to dinner at a new restaurant, Scarpetto (John thinks) on Main Street.   We leave before the huge Fourth of July parade starts for Sacramento in the morning.