Dream Sequences

#1

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:03pm

Does anyone else despise dream sequences in plays or particularly musicals?

I still have nightmares about the dream sequence in Oklahoma! It was never my favorite musical to begin with, but I find the dream sequence particularly painful.

I saw Hair at a local theatre (see the Dallas Board for my opinion on that). It was my first time seeing a production of Hair, and I loved everything minus the VERY long dream/hallucination though I understand the point of that sequence in the show.

Anyone else despise dream sequences?

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So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?

#2

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:08pm

Frumah Sarah is one of the best musical theater sequences ever created.

#3

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:54pm

the dream sequence in Miss Saigon was the highlight of the show for me. Though it is really more of a flashback, but it's staged as both.

#4

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:57pm

As i recall, there was a pretty horrible dream sequence in The Woman in White, though all I recall from it was the sound of Michael Crawford with that Italian accent echoing "I am a doctor, I am a doctor..."

Why i recall this, i have no idea. But I do recall thinking, wow, these just don't work onstage. In fact, any sort of film-like montage effect, like dream 'sequences' (not necessarily dreams, but 'sequences') often fail quite miserably onstage.

#5

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/19/07 at 11:03pm

Why do you have nightmares about the Oklahoma! dream sequence? I think it's brilliant.

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I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

#6

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/19/07 at 11:08pm

Then there's the daydream or flashback in CATS where Gus relives his performance of Growltiger. I've seen some productions where Gus stays on stage, enveloped in fog, and others where he leaves. The latter is a bit confusing.

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-At CATS rehearsal- Chuckie: "I'd love to sit Andrew Lloyd Webber down and ask where the Hell this came from." Me (as Andrew Lloyd Webber): "...I wrote CATS? Dude, I am so sorry!"

#7

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:25am

CATSNYrevival

I hate when people call it a flashback, a flashback is when you remember something while you are awake. The dream sequence in Saigon is a nightmare in which Thuy comes back from the dead to haunt Kim and she re-lives what happened before.

#8

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:27am

Only when pointless...

Didn't they turn "The Trolley Song" into one for the stage version of "Meet Me In St. Louis"?

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http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer

#9

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 12:07pm

west side story dreams sequence is beautiful

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Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

#10

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 12:12pm

There are no general statements to be made on this. Like flashbacks, they work if they're appropriate and well done. If not, not.

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Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!

#11

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 12:16pm

Well, the Dream Sequence in Oklahoma is usually the first cut made by directors in high schools and community theatres. Just as well when Dancing Laurie is too often played by the local ballet school teacher or teen diva who wants to reinvent the choreography and do 'Swan Lake Comes to Kansas' behind a poorly lit scrim. OK, guess dream sequences can be nightmares too!

#12

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 12:36pm

You can say the same about 'Carousel' Shakespearean.

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"If you've got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while you're learning to say it better." - David Mamet

#13

re: Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 1:31pm

There's a really nice one in Avenue Q. It's done very straightforward, no fog or hallucinations....I don't even think it's during a song.

#14

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 1:33pm

The big Kate puppet!

#15

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 4:55pm

Secret Garden has the Cholera opening.

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"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.

#16

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:03pm

I like the dream sequence in Mamma Mia! :P

#17

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:02pm

"There's a really nice one in Avenue Q. It's done very straightforward, no fog or hallucinations....I don't even think it's during a song."

I know you're talking about Princeton's nightmare, but ironically, "Fantasies Come True" involves a lot of fog, and yes, it's a dream sequence...

#18

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:05pm

Even though it's making fun of dream sequences, I love it in "Drowsy."

#19

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:15pm

I have to like the dream sequence in Oklahoma! I was Dream Laurey, so it would suck if I had to play a part in a part I hated.

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"For example, if I should paint my fingernails green - and it just so happens I do paint them green. Well, if anyone should ask me why, I say: 'I think it's pretty!'"

#20

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/20/07 at 10:58pm

im a fan of the dream sequence, ha. it has to be done right or else they can become really akward but it can often give a show depth. i hate when shows ad dream sequences though, it really irks me.

#21

Dream Sequences

Posted: 3/21/07 at 3:33pm

I thought the dream sequence/flashback in "Miss Saigon" was done really well too.