HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

re: if that's what it needs, why not?

Posted by: Delvino 09:02 pm EDT 08/17/14
In reply to: if that's what it needs, why not? - ryhog 12:13 pm EDT 08/17/14

A syndrome, duly noted. Shows maligned for reaching the paying public without all problems corrected at the workshop stage are then condemned when an announced strategy for needed overhaul is perceived as creative desperation. Sometimes, perhaps it's not from abject bitchery, merely the absence of a working knowledge of the process.

In this case, "Comedy Tonight" comes to mind: an added opening that established tone, point of view and even an evening's mission. It's hard to imagine "Forum" without it, only proving how mysterious the process of constructing a satisfying musical can be.


reply to this message |
re: if that's what it needs, why not?

Posted by: AlanScott 12:30 am EDT 08/18/14
In reply to: re: if that's what it needs, why not? - Delvino 09:02 pm EDT 08/17/14

There are several stories like that, of seemingly small changes turning a show around. Not that a new opening number is such a small change, but I bet most people who saw and disliked Forum pre-Broadway would not have thought that simply changing the opening number would have made such a huge difference.

Admittedly, more than just a new opening number was done when Robbins came on board. But it does seem that the new opening number was the change that turned a flop to a classic.

Another example, at least according to Josh Logan, was Picnic. It was disliked out of town. They gradually realized that the audience thought they were supposed to think of Hal as the play's hero, and the audiences weren't liking him as a character, they thought he was a conceited blowhard. They added some lines (I think from Alan) in which an anti-Hal point-of-view was articulated, and that supposedly turned everything around.

Paradoxically, it probably also helped the audience to like him more and to feel for him.


reply to this message |
re: if that's what it needs, why not?

Posted by: ryhog 10:55 pm EDT 08/17/14
In reply to: re: if that's what it needs, why not? - Delvino 09:02 pm EDT 08/17/14

perfect example, and the operative word is, I think, alchemy.


reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.024726 seconds.