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July 21, 2007
Once More, With Feeling
"The Buffy Musical Big Screen Interactive Extravaganza" at the Avalon Theatre tonight was a lot of fun. Buffy fans have needed an excuse to get together for a while since the show ended. The crowd consisted mainly of Rennaissance Faire chicks, lesbian couples, a sprinkling of gay men, and the requisite goth sci-fi guys in trenchcoats. (Listen to the NPR Talk of the Nation interview)
While musical episodes are usually the deathknell of any series, the 2001 episode entitled "Once More, With Feeling," was truly inspired. While it's clear only a few of the main characters had much vocal experience, they were trying hard, which is also why I liked Xanadu so much. It's not about the quality, it's about the delivery. The song lyrics were integrated well into that season's plot.
The screening was an audience-participatory experience a lot like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with helpful subtitle lyrics and a program for suggested behavior during certain scenes. I could have done without that part, and it would have been cool to view the episode with higher definition rather than served from a laptop. These days we have the technology - howabout wide-screen or an Imax version with surround sound?
Anyway, next time remind me to avoid having the franks 'n beans plate with sauerkraut washed down with a vanilla shake beforehand at the diner. It's a bad combination for the lactose-intolerant, but perhaps it helped add some special effects for the show when the demon was banished in a puff of brimstone.
According to the show's promoter, they will return to the Avalon on November 15 & 16, if I heard correctly. Despite it being the eve of the new Harry Potter release, the show was sold out faster than any city's screening.
Posted by jimbo at July 21, 2007 1:35 AM
Comments
Glad it went well (despite the consumables) and yeah, the official site: http://uncoolkids.com/buffy/)mentioned that it'll be back in DC in November.
Posted by: Lee at July 22, 2007 4:01 AM
It were fun!
Posted by: Patrick at July 22, 2007 11:30 AM
BUFFY!
Posted by: Michael Cabina at July 22, 2007 1:59 PM
I want to go. Damn it, first it was Stevie Nicks and now Buffy! I'm officially jealous.
Posted by: Kevin-Andrew at July 22, 2007 7:05 PM
Jimbo, I assume you've seen the Buffy Season Eight comic books? They're actually quite good!
Posted by: Steve at July 25, 2007 4:06 PM