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Great thread!!!...I love musicals and plays. My favorites are really old school..Favorite musical is a toss up between A Chorus Line and Cats..My favorite plays are Arsenic and Old Lace and You Can't Take It With You w/ Jason Robards in the lead....:hamactor::awww:
Duchess |
I'm a bit of a scene/set 'ho myself. I love watching HOW things are put together. I remember a set for "The Night Is A Lonely Hunter" (Carson McCuller) at my college. It was built on three levels with each one being a series of frames. They were meant to represent rooms but also literally frames for each scene as though it were independent of the rest. If you know the play, you know no one is really ever independent of the rest.
Our narrator spoke from various points on this stage setting the scenes. I always thought that bare bones staging was brilliant. Of course, I also remember the dress rehearsal when the brand-spanking-new computerized (very chi-chi in those days) lightboard ran through ALL the cues in about 10 minutes during our narrator's opening monologue. It was a hoot--DISCO time. The crew was amused. The director? Not so much. :zombie: |
I am a theatre virgin. :blink: I find this rather amusing considering what my honey does for a living.
I don't count the community theatre that I've been to to support my friends. I enjoyed it, but I was there for my friends and, honestly, it lacked some of the magic I'd hope I'd find in a professional production. Some of my wishlist includes: Wicked (one of my housemates saw it in Seattle and LOVED it) Chicago (I love the movie) Rent (I love the movie) A Chorus Line (I own the movie...somewhere...and it holds a certain sentimental value to me now) STOMP! (HAVE to see this one!) Hairspray (who doesn't love this one?) The Producers (loved the movie) Riverdance (okay, I just love dancing) The Lion King (with 6 days of load in and 15 trucks full of materials, it HAS to be spectacularly fantastic!) I have no idea what Boeing, Boeing entails but considering Boeing is a mere hour away, maybe I should invest in finding out. :chaplin: I, however, have no urge to see Phantom at all. It's just not my cuppa. :coffee: |
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The energy is amazing!
Like many of you, the energy from a good production is amazing. DOesn't matter the venue - college, community, or professional - it is addicting. It doesn't matter the size of the audience, good actors seem as though they connect with me like there is no one else in the room. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
I've developed this odd little behavior that I think you all might get. After a good show, during curtain call, when each actor comes forward and bows I nod my head as though the gestures are between us. It just feels WRONG not to acknowledge them! Apocalipstic - Sequel to Phantom? Do tell!!! Cerys - You mentioned the movie "Rent". I first saw the show at the Orpheum, our professional theater. LOVED IT!!! When the movie came out I was really excited - it was almost the exact same cast so I figured it would be good (not as good as the stage performance of course). I was really disappointed, the movie had none of the feeling that the show did. Now, I may watch it again - maybe I was just in a weird mood that night, but it was just so weird to have basically the same cast and not enjoy it. I wasn't aware they left a song out - I'll have to pay attention when I watch it again. Rock on my theater friends! |
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I so agree with you. One of my favorite places in Atlanta is Actor's Express. Seats maybe 500 and it supports alot of gay and lesbian productions. It's absolutely charming. It showcased my favorite production of Love, Valour and Compassion..:cheer: Duchess |
I've only seen "Rent" on screen. Had a chance to see it here in Austin last year but wimped out. Won't do that again! I will have to find the Broadway album so I can get all the music. I have several musicals on my iPod including Rent, Chicago, Enchanted, The King & I... grin
So let's go back....what's the first live theater you can remember seeing? P.to the S. So nice to see others who get the energy of theater over the location. |
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I saw the stage version of "Rent" about ten times, including twice with the original cast. Amazing. The interesting thing about the film version, though, is that it fills in a lot of the blank spots in the stage show that left me guessing for a while. The movie version of "Chicago" did the same thing, when compared to the stage version. |
I saw Fiddler on the Roof, with Alfred Molina, that was awesome..
Never got a chance to see Rent with the original Cast Live.. I was mesmerized by Angels in America {the HBO version was ok...kind of 'boosting' with special FX}.. I was given Cats on DVD for a birthday gift[oddly enuff the version I saw in Canada wasn't the same as the DVD, my fave parts were of Mr. Mistoffelees, Deuteronomy , and Macavity}.. I do wanna see the Lion King... in college, i was told i needed 2 extra credits, to give some thought what I'd like to take, i figured theater would be suitable..every lawyer has to perform theatrics in front of a jury to convince them at some point, no? I almost quit Law at the time to pursue performing arts when the production ended...it was an experience of a lifetime.. Although , I did find the directors pet peeves curious.. for instance, he was of the firm belief true actors never Bow... veterans in the troupe were very nervous after an encore, half of us bowed to a full house of applause.. backstage however, some vets kept saying 'i dont think we shouldve done that'.. and yeh...he stormed into the dressing room and pretty much tore into us "while you're on my stage, u will never fucking bow, the difference between professional, and amateur is bowing, all of u showed me how professional u are tonight" i never bowed again *L*{but i did wonder quietly about every actor i've ever seen bowing..} |
theater fag for life
Yes, theater is my passion; it was formative for me. I saw myself in a myriad of ways that helped explain an inner reality that was privy to no one else. My baby butch lived and breathed in the world of musicals, plays, and film.
Today I thought of this one. [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6B2K3dPvlo"]YouTube- Oliver!- Where is love? [Scene Five][/nomedia] And it took 48 years, but I found her. :stillheart: |
I wanted to be an actor and was determined to go to New York
after high school. I became a radio announcer, a copywriter and a designer; so there's about 38 years in communications never making it to New York. I did have a brief stint acting in college. I loved acting and I have thought about auditioning for a theater troupe, or maybe a one-act, maybe three. But I have been gone for so long from the theater, I have a lot of catching up to do. I left off acting in "theater of the absurd" or "black comedies" such as Ionesco, Albee and Ibsen. I thought they were all crazy. Being traditional and preferring timeless scripts (as you might expect being an ol' jet-type), I prefer pillars like O'Neill and Williams, Inge etc. in theater, and Billy Wilder and Paddy Chayefsky as sort of my benchmark favorites in da movies. I totally love the 1920s and 1930s writers who were in that tight "New York circle" of dramatists and writers such as Lillian Hellman, Clifford Odets, and Dorothy Parker. I think Dashiell Hammett and Moss Hart may have been in there, but don't quote me. It would have been ultra to do a Lillian Hellman play like"These Three" (play and film) later re-shot by William Wyler and retitled "The Childrens Hour" about a scandal involving school teachers accusing them of being lesbians. Thanks for this thread. It's going to bring me up to date on theater, and air old my old musty memories, which I haven't taken the time to do. |
Great question! If we're talking live performance in general it would be The Nutcracker. Beyond that...wow, I'm not sure. I think You can't take it with you, at a community theater. First musical: Give my regards to Broadway at my high school theater. And first Broadway show (although the former might have been on broadway???) was either Phantom or Les Mis. In high school we went on a school trip up the east coast seeing all sorts of historical locations, the places we'd been studying about - a really good trip! Anyway, on that trip we saw Phantom and Les Mis on two consecutive days, so those were the first.
And this is off-topic as far as the question, but in thinking about all this I can't help but remember all the children's musicals I was in at church. You know, 25+ years later I still remember some of the songs!!! Quote:
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Lion King: I worked with the "Cheetah" tour. At different times I worked in the areas of, audio, carpentry, automation carpentry, puppets, and wardrobe. This tour has been dismantled, regrouped and is touring in China. (without me, no less. BOOOOO!) I wonder what it is that makes you say the set is a "simple set". It's one of the biggest and most abstract I've ever seen. lol. Just wondering. The very first live show I saw on stage was a musical called "Up the down staircase". I have not seen it or heard about it since. Anyone else ever see it? I think I was 7, my memory of it isn't clear. Last week I had the pleasure of working "Groovaloo". It was awesome and very high energy. I really enjoyed what I was lucky enough to see. I know they will be in Austin on Feb. 28th. Tickets are 23 to 58 bucks. (sorry, I have no strings to pull there. lol) Cost is well worth it. Have a good show. |
The Neon Lights...
On Broadway....
Saw this last night (pre-opening night) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1CT4SR6cFM"]YouTube- Addams Family Broadway Preview[/ame] and it's a fun show. I think it will only get better as the actors really get into their characters. Nathan Lane does not disappoint and the crowd loves him. You can see and feel his passion for his craft on stage. Bebe Neuwirth is rather amusing as Morticia and does a great Argentinian tango with Lane. Great gams that chick has! If you get to NY and want to see a fun show (not a theatrical masterpiece)...I think this might be a good bet. And, I'm all for supporting Broadway! GO! |
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I HAVE to see this! :freak: |
Thanks so much for sharing this - I'm with Gemme - gotta see this one.
Anyone know anything about the sequel to Phantom of the Opera? On the one hand, Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote it so I would think it would be fantastic. On the other hand, a sequel to the phantom??? Quote:
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I did have the pleasure of experiencing Patti LuPone in Evita..Almost better than sex..:backdoorsex:
Duchess |
I'm not that crazy about musicals unless the story is strong. I loved "Kiss of The Spider Woman" but really didnt care for Cats.
But live theater I love. My nephew was in a really good school production of "The Crucible" which I love. They did a great job and I really love watch small productions. Many many moons ago NYC had a place in the Village, I think that had off beat, sometimes controversial theater. I forget the name. It was so long ago but I remember seeing some cool, yet bizarre shows there. |
We have mostly focused on Broadway musicals here, but live theater in general is great. We have a couple really good community theaters here - when I leave Memphis there won't be much that I miss, but I know I will miss the live theater here. Hopefully wherever I land will have a strong community theater.
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I am outside a small town, Danville, VA. I miss culture and things I had in South Florida but I'd never move back to Florida. I could easily drive to DC and I might make time or even Raleigh-Durham but to be honest when I have free time, which isnt easy to come by, chances are it will be spent with very few people about. lol - But I do sometimes long for more community and often feel isolated here. |
Funny you mention it, Nashville is where I hope to put down roots in a year or so. I do know there is a strong theater community there, so if I land there I should be set. And yes, Memphis lacks many many things. And one of these days it will lack me too.
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After a lot of not so nice life stuff I moved into a place with my wild, teenaged daughter - who was our budding thespian. On a whim I auditioned for Steel Magnolias with a small theater group here. Came away as the Assistant Director for Steel Magnolias and I was hooked. My daughter opted out. She was trying to hurry up and grow up.
Trial by fire is a nice way of phrasing my introduction to live community theater. And I was still hooked. After that I worked backstage (aka teched) for a local production of Crowns. Talk about a lot of hats! Also, helped paint the stage/set for that one. Took a few classes, learned about building characters and various "methods" of acting. Who knew? Landed a part in "Harvey" and I came away knowing I still had a lot to learn. Then it was "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Followed by playing the "Widow Douglas" in "the Adventures of Tom Sawyer - the musical." Who knew there was a Tom Sawyer musical? :runforhills: Then another theater group held auditions for a show called WV: Words and Music. They wanted singers and actors and singer/actors. I really sing (singing with the symphony chorus). Acting was a way to help work on the onstage jittery solo stuff. So I auditioned to sing and came away with two very powerful monologues. The music in the show was very moving. Appalachian song has a way of pricking the heart. Our largest audience in the small Walker theater at the Clay Center was around 200. It was such an intimate setting. Onstage there, I had the first experience with really settling into the characters so well - I could see what the ancient Greeks admired about theater. Managed to work my way into the tech crew of a local Light Opera Guild production of Peter Pan, also at the Clay Center. That was a kick yo ass production. With the fly in sets and the pieces that we had to move in and out, AND the flying kids - no pressure! Ha! But loooooooooved it. The energy was amazing. Finished up a show last week with another theater group geared towards the younger generation and came away with a huge appreciation for the heart it takes to do just that. They work with the kids other theater groups here in town seem to want to dub "trouble". Some talented young people! There is something about being involved from the beginning to the very end of a show. I've worked in bad shows, and in higher end production shows. You learn something with each show and with each director. And sometimes, you learn things about yourself. This last show I finished? My girlfriend of 4 years, broke up with me on opening weekend. What had been an already stressful production, became even more so. But, under pressure, I performed and maintained that same level of energy necessary for each show. After it was done? Then came the tears and now I'm sorting through things, myself. She and I had a complicated story anyways. But that's for another thread. Started production Sunday night for another show. My daughter is in this one! Our first one together. Should be interesting. Yes, I love, live theater! |
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I admire your determination and courage to get on the stage. Agreed--there's nothing like being in it from the beginning. When I lived in Boston I was on the board of directors for a theatre group (I'm a behind the scenes kinda theatre guy) and loved being in the game from concept to completion. Cheers for Queers! |
I LOVE Broadway!! My parents had this tradition that I think I am gonna start with my son. Every Christmas, my parents would give my brother and me tickets to a Broadway show. When we were younger they would go with us...as we got older, they gave us two tickets so we could go with whoever. I think its time for a tradition revival! :D
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So if there's ever a show your son doesn't want to see, I wouldn't want you to waste the ticket so I could probably be persuaded to take the ticket off your hands - you know, cause I'm just that kinda guy...
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"Theodore Bikel has had a legendary career: He has played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof more than 2,000 times over 37 years; he was the original Baron Von Trapp in the Broadway production of The Sound of Music; he has appeared in 35 films, including The African Queen and The Defiant Ones. “A performance by Theodore Bikel is a historic occasion in and of itself,” writes AV theater editor Anthony Chase."
Read more: http://artvoice.com/issues/v5n37/see...#ixzz0oCtDj2rs It was a bitter sweet moment last night at the final curtain for Fiddler on the Roof. Mr. Bikel gave a short but sweet speech announcing his retirement from the roll of Tevye. (It was unclear if he retired from acting completely but, he IS 87 years old.) I've had the pleasure of working with him twice, someone I will never forget. It was quite an honor for our local and our theater to close a legend. Mr. Bikel, Enjoy the rest of your life journey. And by all means, have a good show. |
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That is an honor. I love that you have been able to work with him. That's something you don't forget. I imagine you have seen some amazing/stupefying things from your side of the curtains. |
Hey, where have I been that I missed this thread??? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE musicals. However, I rarely been to live theatre, tho I did catch 'Man of LaMancha' when it first came out eons ago on Broadway, NYC. But, even tho it can't compare to live theatre, I have seen and own on tape (yeah, I still have a
VCR, lol), many, many musicals of the golden age of musicals - the 50's, and 60's, ie, West Side Story, et al. I have them all and love them all. Gypsy with the incomparable Roz Russell and Natalie Wood played on TCM the other night. I own it, and have seen it a gazillion times, but still watch it whenever it comes on - I love that musical. Gigi is another fave, so is Camelot and My Fair Lady - gosh, I could just go on and on. Which are your faves? I've heard that Wicked is awesome, but never have seen it - hope to tho. |
What an honor to be involved with this legend. The productions you've mentioned here are classic. I never had the privlege to see them in 'live' theater, but of course have seen the movie versions, and they are among my favorites. How lucky for you to be involved in theatre - it has always been a dream of mine to act - being the ham that I am, lol.
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"I've heard that Wicked is awesome, but never have seen it - hope to tho." cinderella, I have only two words for "Wicked", IT'S AMAZING. And all the films you talked about, I'm trying to catch up. lol |
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http://www.i-mockery.com/blabber/pic...rman-show1.jpg
May 20, 2010, 1:00 PM I Meant to Do That: ‘The Pee-wee Herman Show’ Coming to Broadway By DAVE ITZKOFF The next time you hear Pee-wee Herman snidely ask, “I know you are but what am I?,” the correct answer is: Broadway-bound. On Thursday, the producers announced that “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” the original stage comedy that set that manic man-child character portrayed by Paul Reubens on a path to cult stardom, will transfer to Broadway in the fall for a six-week run. Though Mr. Reubens, 57, is generally much more low-key than his impish, bow-tie-clad alter ego, his impending date with Broadway stirred a little Pee-wee style exuberance within him. “I can hardly believe it,” Mr. Reubens said Wednesday evening in a telephone interview. “Honestly, I’ve been pinching myself.” ---------------- Read the rest at: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...g-to-broadway/ |
Not quite broadway, but gearing up for a new show with a local production company. Should be interesting. I'm playing a lesbian girl's school headmistress. It has drama, no lesbians were harmed in the making and damned if I don't want to cry. Good story overall. We open in two weeks!
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Or I should say, a girl's school headmistress who is also a lesbian. It was late, I plead to being tired! *grins* |
Wow! With all these accolades for Wicked, now I def have got to see it!!
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Le Cage aux Folles - revival on broadway is great. So funny. Deserves all the tony nominations, especially for the guy playing Albin!
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