In my experience, the greatest shifts happen with comedies, especially comedies where actors are free to add various 'bits' or 'schtick' to the performance to earn extra laughs. By six months into the run of THE PRODUCERS, the cast had developed SO MANY bits that it seemed to add actual minutes to the show. Did this make the show better? A judgment call, to be sure. But having lived through both sides of the footlights, i can say that it's very tempting to go for as many laughs as you can get. Sometimes a director or stage manager will drop back in on a long run to rein in the cast.
With dramas, though, I find that many consummate professionals aren't really hitting their stride until several months into a run, especially for works that are extra challenging. That's how I felt about the casts of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and PROOF, which I got to see multiple times.
I do think it's generally a myth that performers are at their very best the week they open.
- GMB |
