She is so >> >underrated. I >> >heard that she had this SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE >filmed but I >> >don't know where to look for this. > >I had the pleasure of seeing 'The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in >the Universe: A Cosmic Soup Opera' in Seattle when Lily was testing it out >before taking it to New York. One of the funniest, most intelligent, well >written pieces I have ever seen. Lily and Jane Wagner really created an >extraordinary comment on modern life with this one. Populated with >wonderfully drawn characters, all played by Lily the chameleon Tomlin (What >does a chameleon see when it looks in a mirror? Another mirror!) and full >of pointed and funny observations on the foibles of humanity. I have a >hardcover copy of the script around somewhere. I think it was filmed so if >you run across it, get it. It's well worth seeing. >
mark, were there cameras around? when lily was workshopping it some filmmakers were shooting a documentary about it and her, but once it was done she and jane wagner tried to block it. finally was broadcast on pbs years after the broadway run, my tape of the show is one of my treasures. i saw 'search for signs' twice in the original broadway run, then i had the documentary and the book to keep me happy. didn't see the movie until it came out on video, was very disappointed (part the magic of the show is how she creates such different characters WITH changing hair or make-up) she had another broadway run a year ago and i saw it, and it is still an amazing piece of theater, one of the finest i've ever seen. my sister and i rented the movie (another look for me) recently, and parts of it are just fantastic, especially the second half. the rich woman and the two prostitutes have her doing some of the most subtle, remarkable acting i've ever seen. and it's a fantasticly well-written show. i can never figure out why lily and jane weren't able to follow up their success. patrick np - brahms piano concerto #2
