Article Reflection No. 51 (5/20/2023)

Article: Upstaged by Marlon Brando

(The New York Times) -->This article was included in an article from The New York Times, but because I paused my subscription (additional $5 free starting 5/21), I couldn't access the article to see if it was actually from the NYT.

Reflection:

In the article “Upstaged by Marlon Brando”, Alan Shanye, an actor, director, and Warner Bros Television president, detailed his experience as a student at the New School for Social Research in the 1940s, where he met the future Broadway star. Detailing how Marlon Brando was unfriendly towards him despite the latter having done nothing to the former, Shanye recalled the Shakespearean “Twelfth Night” production at the school. Casted Duke Orsino, Shanye had mastered the lines on performance night, but felt that Brando had improperly, unjustly “ruined” the show by playing his part in a way that did not follow the planned production. As the unexpectedly amusing costume and drumming led to an audience ovation, Shanye felt furious, and felt more angry when it was clear that the director was not disturbed by the unprofessionalism of Brando’s actions. Months later, after Shanye left the school, Brando was casted on Broadway.

I don’t understand why people would be unkind and glare at someone they’ve just met. What has that person done to you? Understanding one another is so important in this time and age, and this article reflects on how such understanding can be often difficult. But it’s all part of the process, is it not?