Need a little feedback

[ElTico68]

Posted: 1/3/05 at 3:58pm

Hi, I'm new to these boards. I need a little feedback from all you fellow theater folk...

I live in Seattle and perform and choreograph for small theaters in the area. I've been asked to choreograph "Camelot" this summer. Alas, I'm not really familiar with the show.

Is the movie a good reference? (if it's still available)

Does it have any real choreography/staging?

I'm seriously considering not doing it (and forfeiting a nice check) because at this stage in my life I don't like to do anything that's not gonna be fun and challenging.

I'm just asking for your humble personal opinions on the show.

Thanks!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/3/05 at 4:02pm

I hate 'Camelot'.
Not much to choreograph at all.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/3/05 at 4:05pm

I don't think the film CAMELOT is particularly faithful to the show...


For more details, please see:


http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/8849/Moviemusicals/Wart/Camelot.htm


It's more of a "singing" show than a "dancing" one--there is choreography needed for "The Lusty Month of May" and "What Do The Simple Folks Do?"--oh, and I guess "The Jousts" are choreographed...


Good Luck With The Show!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 1:34pm

Wow... I was hoping to get just a tad more feedback, as people here seem to not be shy with their personal opinions. Maybe I should've made more of a statement, such as "I believe "Camelot" is a great classic that doesn't get produced as often" or something along those lines.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 1:37pm

What could be more of a challenge than choreographing a show you are not familiar with. Why watch the film. Listen to the score and do what the music inspires YOU to do. That is fun and challenging, not watching someone else's work and copying it.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 1:57pm

basically, you got your "Joust" and you got your "Merry Month of May" that have a lot of movement. Your director might want help with musical staging or making the stage pictures that surround some of the scenework, however. "Seven Deadly Sins" could have some fun dance-y staging too; i've seen it done as almost a comic ballet. i like a "Joust" that isn't too much like "Ascot Gavot" from FAIR LADY---with the fighting on stage if possible (as i've seen, with wrestling or quarterstaffs and/or broadswords substituted for the equine face-offs). The movie won't help. Talk to the director and see what that person has in mind.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 2:05pm

Aren't there some forest nymphs or something in it?
There must be some mythical characters that COULD be choreographed dancing in the background or something.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 2:09pm

oh yeah, if Nimue makes the cut, she often dances to Merlin's magical spell music. The show is so long that she oftens get edited, however.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 2:54pm

Thanks for your feedback. Yes, SueleenGay, you are right. Sometimes one neglects to see what's important... I just didn't want to find myself commiting my spring to a show (and 30 minute commute... each way) that I wouldn't be used in much. Several friends I've asked around here don't like (hate is more accurate) the show. BUT, on that same note, those same people had the same opinion of "Fiddler...", and I loved choreographing it last spring.

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 2:59pm

It's not Nimue that gets edited out -- she's a major plot point -- she gets rid of Merlin in the first scene. You're thinking of Morgan Le Fey in the second act.

ElTico, I know I'm in the minority, but I happen to like CAMELOT. However, it's one of those shows that has to be done "right" on all fronts for it to work.

Not much dance. "Lusty Month of May". "The Joust" - kinda. If the Morgan Le Fey scene stays in, there's some in that, as well. There is a lot of choreographed movement, however -- the march at the beginning when the courtiers welcome Jenny to Camelot, the Knighting Ceremony, the "Guenevere" number, etc. I had a good time with it when I did it -- PM me about it if you wanna.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:00pm

you're right, i do tend to confuse Nimue and Morgan le Fay...i don't know the show all that well, and it's been years since i've seen it. EL TICO, did you see the tour that played at Fifth Avenue in Seattle?

[ElTico68]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 7:01pm

No I didn't. I don't remember it playing there, but it might've been before my time. (I'm relatively new to the area) I also hate to admit it, but I have this aversion to the "older" musicals, which I honestly don't know what it's based on because I end up liking them once I work in them.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 7:17pm

El Tico, with all due respect, please allow me to ask you something:

Do you think Bob Fosse or Michael Bennett or Jerome Robbins "loved" every show they ever worked on?

I don't think so. They took the material they were given, and did the best they could--and sometimes a little magic happened. [I understand these were professionals and duly paid for their work.]

In my humble opinion, I think you should just make a decision to take on the job based upon what YOU think you can contribute to ANY musical production--not if any musical is "worth" your talents.

If you enjoy the experience, great. If you don't, well, its on to the next one.

Again, just an opionion from a mere spectator--not one who works in the theater--amateur or otherwise.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 7:51pm

I'm positive they didn't.

There's a little difference... for me, theater is a hobby. I have a boring 8 to 5 or 6 job, have a wonderful partner, 3 dogs, and live in the Pacific Northwest, where I love to enjoy the outdoors. Theater/choreography is what I do to keep me sane. It's my creative outlet. "Camelot" would require me to keep busy at a time when the weather starts getting nice around here (believe me, it's a short time), so yes, I am quite picky as to what I choose to do.

And you're right. I almost passed on "Fiddler" because of my preconceived notions, and it was a great experience. But it was also a winter production, so I was more willing to take that risk.

PLUS, it could be a show I really want to do but because of the director/whatever turn out to be a horrendous experience.

I am asking because I am not familiar at all with "Camelot", and the little I'd heard was quite negative, actually. SO, do I want to spend the time doing it? That's what I'm pondering. And I'm still pondering.

And I'm very grateful for everyone who's written, because every time I post/read your posts, it makes me realize something new.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 8:01pm

TICO, you bring up a good point. Is this director for CAMELOT someone you'd like to work with? if not on this, on another project? i always try to keep the "network" in mind when considering offers----but that thirty minute commute would get me down.