John Doyle's Concept

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John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:35pm

Should John Doyle apply his actor-musician concept to an original work instead of a revival.

Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you. --Cartman: South Park ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:36pm

depends on the show really.

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:39pm

I think Doyle needs to find a new concept.

I loved SWEENEY. I'm sure I'll love COMPANY.

But he's also done it with INTO THE WOODS and I believe he's signed on to do a production of BARNUM with the same concept.

He's gonna become known as a one-trick pony if you ask me.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 06:39 PM

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:42pm

He did a production of Fiddler that way, also. It was the idea of the music coming from within the town. It's pretty understandable with that idea....seems like what Levaux was going for last year only more developed.

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:49pm

He'll become known as one, Foa, which is a shame because he truly is not.

Anyway, I think it would obviously depend on the show, but be very, very interesting.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:51pm

I have loved his work so far, which is why I hope for his sake that he directs something high profile soon without the concept.

"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too." - Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:55pm

Imagine him doing Gypsy & hearing that great score played by actors

Poster Emeritus

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:59pm

Roxy, I wish your opinions would at least be informed. Many of his actors are also highly trained musicians. Some of them have even played in pit orchestras. On Broadway, no less. Musical talent is not something these people lack because they aren't "just" actors. To judge is your right but don't do it with ignorance.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:10pm

I think, or at least hope, that what Roxy was saying is that because the number of actors is fewer than the number of those in the typical pit for Gypsy that the score would sound weakened,a legitimate concern, but I feel as though last season's Sweeney could dissaude us of that fear.

"Don't thank your parents, if you were raised in a nurturing environment you wouldnt be in show business"--Conan O'Brien at the 2006 Emmy Awards

#10

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:14pm

I am sorry but there would be a big difference in hearing Stynes score played by a full orchestra as opposed to actors

Poster Emeritus

#11

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:17pm

Of course it's different, especially if you're looking at it as a game of numbers. That I give you, on account of size. But to say that your wariness is because they are *actors* is kind of unfair.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

#12

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:20pm

The sound would be totally different as there would normally be more musicians. Think of a 20 piece orchestra playing the overture & than think of 10 actors doing it

Poster Emeritus

#13

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:24pm

Yes. I'm *agreeing with you* on that. Of course it would be "totally different" because of the numbers. I think that's a given. I don't think "totally different" being equivalent to "worse" is, though.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 07:24 PM

#14

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:26pm

what shows would his concept be good in?

#15

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:29pm

We can agree to disagree. If you like his concept, enjoy. It is not my cup of tea

Poster Emeritus

#16

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:39pm

I think this would work wonderfully in a production of The Wiz, Joseph or Seussical.

#17

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:40pm

I can maybe see the last 2 but not The Wiz

Poster Emeritus

#18

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:42pm

I think it might work in "Anyone Can Whistle."

But, that's more because I just want to see it done. And, this is off topic so feel free to ignore it but does anyone know if the Carnegie Hall concert is on DVD?

Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.

#19

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:55pm

Hmm, its interesting, but after a while, its just a bit of overkill.

#20

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:04pm

I'm going to be blunt - when I first learned he was doing his actor-musician concept with Company I was annoyed. I loved Sweeney and saw it several times but I didn't want to see that again.

After seeing the show Saturday night, I found the concept to work better with Company - in other words, it worked on a different level. Company was one of the best shows I've ever seen and this production renewed my faith in him. Yes he directed it similarly to Sweeney, but he reinvented his directoral style for a new show, therefore his concept can be applied to other shows because it has the ability to adapt to the show and the actors.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

#21

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:05pm

Just saw Company and it was fantastic. Raul is a shoo-in for a nomination.

"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe

#22

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:07pm

Let's see...

Previous:
SWEENEY TODD
COMPANY
INTO THE WOODS
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Coming Up:
BARNUM
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Nope. Still don't mind. In my opinion, this concept is fantastic, and will continue to be fantastic, unless it is applied to a show that can't support it.

And no, I don't think this will be a bad thing for his career, considering that most producers are going to know that he did other shows without this concept to great success.

"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 08:07 PM

#23

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:09pm

I'd like to offer that John Doyle's direction has a lot more to it than just actors playing instruments.

#24

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:25pm

wait. I saw Sweeney (loved it), I'm seeing Company (less excited, but still excited none the less) and I'd heard he would be doing Barnum the same way, but Fiddler? INTO THE WOODS? When was this? WHERE was this?

And to answer the original post, I like the concept, but I do feel it's going to end up labeling him as a one-trick director. Do I think he should do away with it altogether? NO. But mix it up a bit at least!

#25

re: John Doyle's Concept

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:41pm

I'd just really like to see if he could get together with a book writer and a composer and make something brand new while at the same time, applying what many consider his signature and what others (including myself) consider his gimmick.

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