Hyper-Theatrical Shows

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/4/10 at 9:53pm

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for show suggestions. Trying to find a wide variety of shows which are essentially hyper-theatrical. Shows which embrace a "showy" feel to it (think TOMMY, PIPPIN, FOLLIES, etc. Though it doesn't need to be that the characters know they are performing...) Looking for titles which beg for that approach inherently in the material, and not just imposing a weird concept. These do NOT need to be well known shows - in fact, the lesser known, the better. Will give more info if clarification is needed.

Thanks guys!

Updated On: 12/5/10 at 09:53 PM

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 12/4/10 at 10:07pm

So, you mean something that really shouldn't be done in any other medium? For that, I would look firstly at shows that acknowledge that they are giving a performance, like Urinetown and The Drowsy Chaperone. I think the non-linear plot of Company makes it quite theatrical. I think the quintet in A Little Night Music makes it theatrical. And then, of course, there's Mystery of Edwin Drood, which uses the audience to vote on the ending.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 12/4/10 at 10:09pm

Pippin?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/4/10 at 11:15pm

I don't really get "Tommy" in that group- the characters aren't performing and it has been done in other media.

I am thinking about Merrily We Roll Along- which has been done as if the kids at the graduation scene are "Performing" Franks life story. But I guess that might fall under "Director's discretion."

Maybe Chorus Line? Or what about Spamalot- or is that more "meta" with the Lady of the Lake complaining she's got nothing to do?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 12:19am

Perhaps I should clarify: I also mean things that aren't necessarily relying on realism. Tommy, at least in its original production, had rock lighting, a stage that was essentially a giant grid, bare minimum scenic elements & special effects (flying/flipping, fog, etc). Many of those are intrinsic to the script, although some things we just McAnuff's direction.

So, looking for things that avoid naturalism. Clearly a theatrical production. Showy. Not really looking for self-referential material ([title of show], etc) but if it's something out of the norm, I'm happy for the suggestion.

Honestly, I'm just looking for obscure titles or something that has fallen from the "overdone" list of shows.

Thanks so much everyone!

[chewy5000]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 12:24am

Cabaret?

[Taryn]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 12:38am

Coram Boy comes to mind when I think of really theatrical shows.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 12:47am

In Trousers is an interesting piece to consider. It's a one-act, with only four people (1m,3f). It's William Finn's first musical- it's sort of a prologue to what happens in Falsettos. There isn't a clear plot, and it's all songs except for one lengthy text sequence. It's the main character reflecting on/regressing to his past, as well as considering what is happening in his present life.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 12:48am

Bat Boy
Parade
1776
Titanic
Title of Show
Once Upon a Mattress
The Boyfriend
Pal Joey
Sunset Blvd
A Catered Affair
Allegra
Aspects of Love
Barnum
Flower Drum Song
Two by Two


SO many that are not on the "overdone" list.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 12:48am

CELEBRATION by Jones and Schmidt certainly falls into this category: it's an obscure "ritual musical" written back in the 70s. The score has a now somewhat dated feel to it, but its themes of youth-v-age and enviromentalism are definitely on point. It also has the advantage of being dirt cheap to produce.

[Frank thebellhop]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 1:00am

Tenderloin
Chess
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Godspell
The act
The rink
Grey gardens
Mack and mable

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 1:02am

GUYS & DOLLS!

http://www.musicals101.com/1950s.htm

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 11:03am

The Threepenny Opera fits this perfectly.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/5/10 at 11:23am

Guys and Dolls?

You mean the show that has probably been on every "most performed" list since there was a list?