Best use of a revolve? - Page 2

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/15/23 at 11:41pm

Phantom4ever said: "Well Rippedman, you’re probably gonna get your wish for an updated Phantom! Even though the Bjornson/Prince production is/was perfect in every way, CM knows there are enough people like you who will just go “oh cool they updated it” when they hear the inevitable announcement that Phantom is returning in its scaled down oops I mean UPDATED current West End version."

To be fair, I don't mean change anything. Just update it. Faster chandelier, better pyro. I remember seeing it around 2018 and the dead guy that falls from the ceiling was laughably bad. The horror factor could have been updated, to me. But I think the design/staging are quite gorgeous. 

And Hamilton just always felt like they used a turntable given the confines of the Public. So I'd love to see what they would have come up with otherwise.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 12:08am

I loved the use of the elevated revolve during “Telephone Wire” in Fun Home.

[ardiem]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 2:15am

Would something like The Lehman Trilogy count? I loved how it added different configurations and perspectives to its simple glass box set, but also played a role in some of the dream sequences/visions.

[willep]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 8:52am

I’ll add Peter Pan Goes Wrong

[JasonC3]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 8:56am

I don't know if it is best use, but the revolve in the most recent London revival of Follies certainly made the set and production come to life in more interesting ways than a static stage would have.

[theaterdarling]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 9:14am

The incorporation of a revolve in the stage design  "Life of Pi" was perhaps inevitable but it use is impressive nonetheless and the most organic use for it I've ever seen. (Based on the  A.R.T production but fairly certain one was used in London production and no doubt will be utilized in NY). Fit seamlessly and beautifully with all other extraordinary design elements in this show. Now, if only the play was better...

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 10:20am

Are there any Golden Age shows that had revolves? Why do I think My Fair Lady used one in the '50s? No? Didn't the original Oliver! have a revolve designed by Sean Kenny?

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 10:23am

The use of the turntable in the current revival of Cabaret is what jumps to mind for me

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 10:48am

I once saw a surprisingly good non-professional production of Spring Awakening that made effective use of a turntable - it was only used during the song "I Believe". Many productions use the swing concept that was done on Broadway, and it has certainly been cleverly staged other ways as well - but this was possibly the best I've seen. It was a very small turntable, only big enough for the actors playing Melchior and Wendla to lay on, and it sat center stage at a slight raked angle towards the audience (it was not raked for the entire show, it was lifted for this song). The two of them slowly rotating during the events of this scene was haunting and I found it to be a wonderful directorial choice.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 10:50am

In Kimberly Akimbo, I forget the name of the song, but it’s where the whole family is sitting at the kitchen table singing and the floor revolves very slowly. I thought that was a very effective use of a revolving floor. Also, of course the Hamilton turntables are very effective. I never saw Les Miz on stage (yet) but I know people were really upset when they removed the revolving floor. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 3:41pm

Musicaldudepeter said: "Are there any Golden Age shows that had revolves? Why do I think My Fair Lady used one in the '50s? No? Didn't the original Oliver! have a revolve designed by Sean Kenny? "

Because Bart Sher used it in the revival.  

[bowtie7]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 4:50pm

previous thread on revolves

 

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=932804

[Tag]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 5:11pm

Current shows using revolves:

Hamilton
& Juliet (I think 3 revolves?)
Harry Potter
Kimberly Akimbo
Hadestown
Lion King (ish, but not really)
Aladdin (ish, has those revolving traps, for the spinny Genie effect)

Basically a quarter of shows currently running.  Any others I missed?

Updated On: 1/16/23 at 05:11 PM

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 5:11pm

Jarethan said: "Musicaldudepeter said: "Are there any Golden Age shows that had revolves? Why do I think My Fair Lady used one in the '50s? No? Didn't the original Oliver! have a revolve designed by Sean Kenny? "

Because Bart Sher used it in the revival. "

...and before the most recent revival, and the revival before that, the original production used revolves as well.

[George in DC]

Posted: 1/16/23 at 6:31pm

Among the "golden age musicals" the best use of a turnatable is the original production of "Fiddler on the Roof". Jerome Robbins use of a turntable inside a turntable was brilliant.

 

As for effect, any time the Metropolitan Opera uses their enormous turntable it is amazing. Current productions that use it are "Lucia" , "Le Nozze De Figaro" "The Magic Flute'

Updated On: 1/16/23 at 06:31 PM

[noahseestheatre]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 12:21pm

HeyMrMusic said: "I loved the use of the elevated revolve during “Telephone Wire” inFun Home."

Couldn't agree more! The slow turns complemented the in-the-round stage well and made the tension even more so. A truly impactful moment and the turntable really helped without feeling like overkill