College Production: Floyd Collins or Little Fish?- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 6:01pm

Good luck and keep us posted!

(But are you sure the rights are available? Has there actually been a production of LITTLE FISH outside of NYC?)

[Danielm]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 6:51pm

Are you worried about filling seats? It's college theatre--does it have to pay for itself?

I think both of these shows are really challenging for a school--I've seen dissapointing professional versions of Floyd Collins (one of my favorite shows). I admire you for tackling either of these. I don't have high hopes for the quality but they'd be great experiences for the students.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:33pm

I am currently directing a production in Boston. The rights are handled by Dramatists Play Service.
Updated On: 10/12/06 at 10:33 PM

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:52pm

Hey iluvtheatertrash, I would actually talk to the musical director first. Little Fish has a VERY specific orchestration (I have the score). I don't think it could be done without a full Rhythm section at least. Floyd has it's own demands. Just be careful when choosing them.

I think it's great you're doing new innovative theatre. I think people don't realize that if a theatre school is doing productions I think it's more about education than thrilling audiences. Do we want to entertain? Yes but let's be real about doing shows like Zombie Prom and the like just for audience consideration. The primary question is what are students learning about singing acting? The audience is merely a secondary consideration (which makes it different from commercial theatre).

[mwjr16]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:00pm

CCM did Floyd last year and it went over well and it was sold out. It was done in the studio theatre. The show itself has problems and things missing. But if you have the talent do it! Maybe you can find a new way of presenting it.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:07pm

what's missing? what problems did you find with it. I thought it is wonderfully written.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:21pm

The rights are available through Dramatists.

The rhythm section will probably prove itself to be a challenge. I musical direct, as well, and since it's a small cast, I may be teaching all of the material (and our school accompianist will play the performances - or I'll organize a pit). I like to dive into both worlds because when I direct straight plays I really like to work with music. I've played piano since I'm 4, so the world of music is great inspiration for me. So, I'd like to work out both worlds with my cast. A great deal of work for me, but one I'm willing to embrace.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:34pm

I know you were at the concert, but I have to say - the score sounded great with the instruments they used there.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:27am

The concert used 3 pieces - it is orchestrated for 6. I think what I loved most about the concert was 'iluvtheatretrash' screaming out "I love..." when each performer entered. It was really necessary.
No, but honestly, use whatever you can assemble. The score sounds great with just a few pieces, and fantastic with all 6. Updated On: 10/13/06 at 12:27 AM

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:27am

I have to say I miss the drums. I mean it's a rock score. I think it needs to rock. I think it's a little more important than the bass, but I didn't write it.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 1:45pm

Nah, just Marcy and Mary.

(And in case you couldn't tell, I was a little drunk that evening.)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 1:50pm

How's the "Little Fish" score vocally? I've never heard any music from it, but I really like the idea of the show. I wish they had recorded the concert. How high is the male part?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 1:57pm

Tenor. But not very, very high.

I really love a lot of the vocals in the show. It's a lot different from a lot of his other musicals, I think. It's much more rock-induced.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 2:13pm

Cool. Yeah, it sounds like it's great music, maybe one day we'll get a recording.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:45pm

I thought Trailer Park was uninspired and the jokes were played out.

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 5:00pm

I saw Little Fish twice at Second Stage. I loved it.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 6:14pm

Was that you who screamed out "I LOVE YOU?"

Oh.

Refresh my memory - what did they use? Piano, guitar, bass? Were there percussions?

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:07pm

I think it was Piano Guitar and Bass.

[angelrock25222]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:27pm

yeah and he was so drunk off of the one or two beverages brought to that table, that when he kicked the table in front of him and spilled drinks all over the people in front, that he forgot to apologize or even acknowledge the fact.

add that to the "i love yous"


ANYWAYS have you thought about how you would do the pool scenes in that theatre?

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:34pm

I have done the show twice (played Homer) and I disagree with the notion that it might not work in a black box theater... if you have a good set designer, and even more importantly, a GREAT lighting designer, you could pull off FLOYD COLLINS in a black box pretty easily... it can be surrealistic in its staging. The thing is, there aren't a lot of young people in the cast - Floyd was around 40 and Nellie isn't too young either... The father is around 60-ish...

As for GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK... that is just as difficult a show - but because it's funny, it's not seen as such. When I saw it here in NYC, the performances were uniformally so good and many of the actors had amazing comic timing.

Both shows would be difficult... FLOYD COLLINS can be a musical nightmare if you don't have a strong musical director AND orchestra.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:46pm

I did... what? I had a drink or two and I get a little buzzed. I was in a very good mood and had fun, and supported two amazing women, who I am very much in love with.

By the way, I was at a couch. Not at a table. Nice try though.

Updated On: 10/13/06 at 11:46 PM

[angelrock25222]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:12am

im sorry was there not a table in front of your couch where drinks and food were placed because i believe there was and i would know if a drink were spilled on me so ...nice try

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:21am

Right now we are doing a show in the black box in proscenium. IT's very surreal.

Meanwhile my show will be done in a thrust-like setting.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:31am

I'll probably do it in thrust.

Most likely am going to get some nice blue fabric for the swimming sequence and cut openings in and let the cast swim in and out of it. Our black box is our primary theater space and is pretty roomy, shockingly, so that it would work pretty well in there. And the effect, with the audience there, would look very neat, I think.

Have a lot to think about, but have some really cool ideas that I'd like to see actually come to fruition, although I'm sure a great deal of them would be left on the table and never make it to production.

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 12:31 AM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:10am

Do you have to deal (and I use that term semi0negatively) with a design/produciton team and a budget?