I havn't gotten a chance to (Sadly) go to Broadway and see the show but Rain looks promising. Being a huge Beatles fan a jukebox musical of their music sounds like both a great idea and a terrible on. It's great because it brings new life to their old songs, but terrible because it won't be John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
They've made the "counter culture" movement child friendly, they've removed all the drug and sexual references from the show.
This will actually be the second Beatles jukebox musical, the first being Beatlemania in 1997.
From listening to the soundtrack it will be a great show, but actors always preform differently under pressure than they do in a studio.
Rain will be closing September 4th, so if you're in NYC and a Beatles fan I recommend you see Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles at Brooks Atkinson Theater
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Precasting
Precasting is one of the evils of the theatrical world. Some people love it (namely those that are precast) others hate it (those that arn't)
But is it right?
The answer is kind of in the gray area, some shows such as [Title of Show] were written for certain people to play the characters, these people were the writers and their friends, that is an example of a show that was precast successfully.
A lot of times directors will precast without telling anybody, this gives the illusion that others have a shot at the rule when they really do not. But sometimes a director will state the precasting in advance thus ending all hope of getting the role.
Now while they are both underhanded, the first method is the better of the two. In local theater especially people audition for a certain part and if that part is already taken see no point in auditioning. But usually these people will accept a role even if it isn't the part they auditioned for.
Precasting is bad no matter how it's done but sometimes it can be done more tastefully than others.
But is it right?
The answer is kind of in the gray area, some shows such as [Title of Show] were written for certain people to play the characters, these people were the writers and their friends, that is an example of a show that was precast successfully.
A lot of times directors will precast without telling anybody, this gives the illusion that others have a shot at the rule when they really do not. But sometimes a director will state the precasting in advance thus ending all hope of getting the role.
Now while they are both underhanded, the first method is the better of the two. In local theater especially people audition for a certain part and if that part is already taken see no point in auditioning. But usually these people will accept a role even if it isn't the part they auditioned for.
Precasting is bad no matter how it's done but sometimes it can be done more tastefully than others.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark = Worst Musical of the Past 20 years?
Spider-Man, New York's favorite web-slinger, he's been in comic books, graphic novels, TV shows, and movies without to many problems (I maintain the Spider-Man 3 is the worst superhero movie ever) but he is going where he has never gone before, a Broadway stage.
Turn Off the Dark is being called the most technical musical ever produced with fight scenes taking place over the audience, crazy sound and lighting design, and a whole lot of rigging, but did it cross the line into too advanced. Several actors have already been injured, a spine injury in one case where the actor playing Spider-Man fell INTO the orchestra pit.
Is this show the worst content wise? Probably not, Pinkalicious still exists unfortunately but I can't deny the fact that this show hasn't even officially been released and their already nearly killing actors and putting audience members in danger. It also is the MOST expensive Broadway production ever and it isn't looking like it's gonna make all of it back.
Turn Off the Dark is being called the most technical musical ever produced with fight scenes taking place over the audience, crazy sound and lighting design, and a whole lot of rigging, but did it cross the line into too advanced. Several actors have already been injured, a spine injury in one case where the actor playing Spider-Man fell INTO the orchestra pit.
Is this show the worst content wise? Probably not, Pinkalicious still exists unfortunately but I can't deny the fact that this show hasn't even officially been released and their already nearly killing actors and putting audience members in danger. It also is the MOST expensive Broadway production ever and it isn't looking like it's gonna make all of it back.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Musical Characters Part 6 of 6: Stine
Stine is a fitting end for the series of musical characters because he is such a different character than the rest. Ever character shown so far is either good or bad, their is no question about who they are. Stine however is both. To call him good would be a stretch because he is womanizing and eager to do anything to make a buck. But near the end of City of Angels he changes his tune, winning back his wife and tearing up the script he wrote.
Stine is a novelist with the tendency to base his characters off people he knows, but his main character, Detective Stone, isn't anyone but what Stine wishes he was. In the song You're Nothing Without Me Stine argues with Stone. They both bring valid points but as the song ends this sing together this verse
A puppet, an upstart
A loser who's destined to fall
I'm everything you always wanted to be
Let's deal with the issue:
You wish you were me
You're nothing without me
Without me you're nothing ...
A loser who's destined to fall
I'm everything you always wanted to be
Let's deal with the issue:
You wish you were me
You're nothing without me
Without me you're nothing ...
They both have reasons to be jealous about what the other has. Stine is kind of crazy because a large chunk of this musical is Stine talking to Stone. Stone is a character in a novel so who knows what's going on with him.
Stine all in all is one of the most changing characters in all of musical history, even Billy Bigelow bed an unmarried women, never married her, tried to commit theft, died, than struck his daughter when he came back to earth eventually being denied passage into heaven.
Stine is just an average writer, nothing special, just trying to find a place in this world.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Musical Characters Part 5 of 6: John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth is one of two "narrators" of the musical Assassins a musical that focuses on presidential and attempted presidential assassins. Booth is "killed" very one in the show after he flees to a barn after his assassination of Lincoln.
He is one of the more profound characters of the show and is the unofficial leader of the group of assassins. Booth leads the group in stating "All you have to do is move your little finger, squeeze your little finger, and you can change the world"
Booth also is shown to have a temper at one point striking Lee Harvey Oswald and swearing. Booth is also shown to have a great knowledge of plays stating at one point "Attention must be paid!" from Death of a Salesman in a conversation with Oswald which plays out like this.
Booth- Attention must be paid!
Oswald- What does the mean?
Booth- It's from a play Lee, about a poor misguided fool who runs out of options so he decides to kill himself. His wife stands at his grave begging the world to pay attention to this simpleton. Now Lee, I'm an actor and a good one, but Willy Loman is a part that I could never play and I don't think you should play it either.
Booth also demonstrates supernatural abilities as he comes back from the dead along with the other assassins and turns curtain rods in a sniper rifle.
He also convinces Oswald the shoot JFK.
In summery Booth in a smooth talking supernatural assassin. Pretty awesome
Friday, January 21, 2011
Back Stage Roles Part 3 of 3: Sound
Sound is an important parts of musicals, not so much in straight plays, but definitely in musicals.
Sound designers and operators have three basic types of mics, shotgun, stage mics, and body mics.
Shotgun mics are usually placed along the front or side of the stage and used to help pick up the chorus, special care must be taken as for the actors not to step on them. The operator must also be careful to kill the mic if a large dance number or stomping takes place.
Stage mics, despite the name, are rarely used in musical theater. Stage mics are your standard microphone that you'd find on a stand during any concert. You don't see these much because they require the actor to get very close to it and break the fourth wall. Very few shows use these and they are almost all in character (If you really wanted you could use one in Bye Bye Birdie because Conrad is a rock star) but Rent uses them quite readily in the original Broadway show, the carolers sing into one, and in the song Life Support by Gordon (Roger on the other hand uses a body mic).
Body mics are the heart and soul of theatrical sound. They allow the actor to sing over the music for solos and can aid in lines if you want them to. They consist of the parts, the mic, the wire, and box. The box is usually put into the pocket or waistband of an actors pants. In the event of that being difficult or impossible (The actor is wearing a dress, no pants, or "skimpy" clothing) It will sometimes be tucked into a bra if it is an actress (9 times outta 10 that's the case) or sometimes taped to the lower back. The wire is usually run up through clothing and secured with special mic tape. The mic itself is usually hidden just above the ear and is flesh toned.
Sound designers and operators have three basic types of mics, shotgun, stage mics, and body mics.
Shotgun mics are usually placed along the front or side of the stage and used to help pick up the chorus, special care must be taken as for the actors not to step on them. The operator must also be careful to kill the mic if a large dance number or stomping takes place.
Stage mics, despite the name, are rarely used in musical theater. Stage mics are your standard microphone that you'd find on a stand during any concert. You don't see these much because they require the actor to get very close to it and break the fourth wall. Very few shows use these and they are almost all in character (If you really wanted you could use one in Bye Bye Birdie because Conrad is a rock star) but Rent uses them quite readily in the original Broadway show, the carolers sing into one, and in the song Life Support by Gordon (Roger on the other hand uses a body mic).
Body mics are the heart and soul of theatrical sound. They allow the actor to sing over the music for solos and can aid in lines if you want them to. They consist of the parts, the mic, the wire, and box. The box is usually put into the pocket or waistband of an actors pants. In the event of that being difficult or impossible (The actor is wearing a dress, no pants, or "skimpy" clothing) It will sometimes be tucked into a bra if it is an actress (9 times outta 10 that's the case) or sometimes taped to the lower back. The wire is usually run up through clothing and secured with special mic tape. The mic itself is usually hidden just above the ear and is flesh toned.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Backstage Roles Part 2 of 3: Stage Lighting
Theatrical lighting is an aspect of theater I hold near and dear to my heart. Before I got back into acting, I was a lighting operator and designer for several years and still have an active role in it.
Theatrical lighting is different for every show, for example, Still Life With Iris (Which holds the distinction of being my LEAST favorite show ever) is a highly imaginative show that allows the designer to incorporate many unrealistic elements, such as purple light. Now when I designed the lights for a production of Still Life With Iris I was limited to 18 lights. Most of those lights were area lights (Such as fresnels which can't be focused and are general area lights) and several Source 4s (Which come in different degrees which measure how wide the light is at 100 feet) most of which were used as "specials". A "special" is a light that is focused on one area that is supposed to have the attention draw to it. An example of that was the Still Life which had to be lit up by a Source 4 every time Iris touched a button.
(As I stated Still Life With Iris is my LEAST favorite show, I can't stress that enough, I may dedicate a post to how bad that show is in detail. If you can avoid it, DO NOT SEE THAT SHOW!)
Their are several mottoes, quotes, and jokes withing lighting. Most are at the actors expense but several are inappropriate for this blog.
You have now been victim to one of my favorite techie jokes. Lighting is one of the toughest jobs in theater but remember without them you'd be dancing in the dark.
Theatrical lighting is different for every show, for example, Still Life With Iris (Which holds the distinction of being my LEAST favorite show ever) is a highly imaginative show that allows the designer to incorporate many unrealistic elements, such as purple light. Now when I designed the lights for a production of Still Life With Iris I was limited to 18 lights. Most of those lights were area lights (Such as fresnels which can't be focused and are general area lights) and several Source 4s (Which come in different degrees which measure how wide the light is at 100 feet) most of which were used as "specials". A "special" is a light that is focused on one area that is supposed to have the attention draw to it. An example of that was the Still Life which had to be lit up by a Source 4 every time Iris touched a button.
(As I stated Still Life With Iris is my LEAST favorite show, I can't stress that enough, I may dedicate a post to how bad that show is in detail. If you can avoid it, DO NOT SEE THAT SHOW!)
Their are several mottoes, quotes, and jokes withing lighting. Most are at the actors expense but several are inappropriate for this blog.
Q: How many actors does it take to change a light bulb? A: None. Complain to the director at notes.
You have now been victim to one of my favorite techie jokes. Lighting is one of the toughest jobs in theater but remember without them you'd be dancing in the dark.