Staged Concerts-Your Opinion

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 5:35pm

I couldn't decide whether to put this on the main or the OT boards, so I picked the OT just because...

This past weekend I went to see a staged concert production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", with Faith Prince, Lucy Lawless and the Seattle Men's Chorus. It was clearly advertised as a concert with minimal sets and staging.

The last time staged concert I saw locally was "Sweeney Todd". They had MINIMAL movement, and they came onstage and sung to a microphone, occassionally looking at each other, but no sets. AND they were holding their librettos the whole time.

OK. SO... for "Blondes", the actors (other than Ms. Prince and Ms. Lawless there were quite a few supporting roles cast and a chorus) were miked, had a lot more movement than I expected, and there were actually set pieces brought on stage. The Men's Chorus stayed in back the entire time. AND they were holding their librettos the whole time.

I, for one, wasn't bothered by it because I knew it was a concert. I actually was quite impressed that they did as much movement as they did holding their books, and the books pretty much became part of the characters, in a way. I enjoyed the show thoroughly. At the performance I heard several people complain about the books, and I thought, snobbishly (is that even a word) "ugh, don't they know it's a concert".

Well, at rehearsal last night, we were talking about it, and the people I was with were about 50-50. Some hated the idea that the actors were walking around with their books. They said it was quite distracting, and that they should've tried to memorize their lines; OR have a straightforward concert and have them just stand there and sing.

SO... what do you think? Do you prefer a straighforward concert, are you bothered with this hybrid? (someone mentioned that it's similar to the Encore stagings in NY)

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 5:37pm

I would not like Gentlemen Prefer Blongs as a staged concert......others, yes

Updated On: 5/16/05 at 05:37 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 5:52pm

Glitter Boots,

I saw an Encores piece a few years ago, and wasn't too upset about the use of scripts. I felt that the actors interacted quite effectively and were referring to their scripts on ocassion. It didn't take away from their performances or my enjoyment.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 6:08pm

Encores has really changed the format. They originally started out with black tuxes/concert format, but have since moved to costumes and using the script as a prop and sight gag.

Faith Prince Encores gossip:

Ms. Prince was performing in Encores "Fiorello". She thought she knew the words to her song and flung her book away only to really screw the song up seconds later. Poor Rob Fisher didn't know where to take the orchestra.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 6:57pm

Faith Prince was sooooo amazing... a couple of times when she messed up, she turned to the audience and made a face. And when her and Lucy Lawless first shared the stage, she bowed to her and as the audience applauded she mouthed "she's Xena". I found the evening very enjoyable.