Good shows with unusual/bad staging — Page 2

"The show DOTV was based on, Tanz der Vampire, was superior to the Broadway re-working. It had a consistency of tone lacking in the Broadway version, the humor and chills smoothly integrated as in the film on which the musical was based. In its first incarnation, it was a touching and provocative work, and DOTV will forever remain a symbol of the detrimental effect business and politics can have on art."

Thank You, Roman Polanski. No thanks, John Rando.

P

People already familiar with Sweeney Todd constantly complain that Doyle's staging would confuse any newcomers.

I saw the production when I was 14 without any prior knowledge of the show and was enthralled by the story.

RE: Thread topic...

Carrie: What can be said that hasn't been? Everything about the production was hilarious, tragic, and mind-boggling, but yes, I'm one of those who likes most of the material.

The Little Mermaid: The original material is just so strong and should have been amazing onstage.

Updated On: 9/4/09 at 04:16 PM

The Little Mermaid comes to mind.

I can see how Doyle's Sweeney Todd could confuse anyone not familiar with the story. The 2005 revival was actually my first exposure to Sweeney Todd. Prior to seeing it, my friend who had already seen the show suggested that I read a synopsis of the show. I did and it certainly helped me understand a little better what was happening on stage. There were a few elements of the staging (like the infamous white coffin) that were a little confusing.

---

Updated On: 9/4/09 at 05:35 PM

seussical

Hey now, I LOVED the white coffin in Sweeney Todd. It was one of my favorite parts of the production because it challenged the audience to think about what it meant at the particular time it was used (it was used more than once...and I remember it meaning different things at different times). John Doyle's staging for Sweeney Todd was incredible. He did an excellent job of making the audience intelectually participate in the show and allowed the libretto to shine without being overlooked by flashy sets and eye-popping visual effects. Yes, there is no way in HELL you could understand that show if you went in knowing nothing about it, and yes...Company was much cleaner, but I still loved his staging for Sweeney.

Movin' Out was horrendously choreographed and the staging was forgettable and pointless, yet I still enjoyed the show itself. I sometimes wonder if the show would've been taken more seriously if Twyla had stayed away from the dancing and staging.

---

I saw the Last 5 Years off Broadway. There was very little I liked about it. It was done at the Minetta Lane which is a small space (it always makes me think of a movie theater, i.e. not conducive for theater).

Prince didn't know what the heck she was doing with the staging. At times the stage was so crowded with set pieces, the actors had to squeeze around them. Maybe that was done intentionally but it didn't add to the story or look artistic. Also some of the 'Tube clips probably don't show it, but stage left, they had nailed to the wall (or was it suspended?) a table and chairs on their side to indicate that everything was crashing down. It was just too pretentious and would have played better with a minimalist look.

---