Large Casts vs. Small? (NEW VERSION)

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 4:47pm

I made the previous post about large vs. small casts, and I feel I need to clarify. I wasn't wondering if you definitively prefer shows with large or small casts, regardless of whether the cast size is appropriate. I was wondering if you generally like shows with small casts or large casts better. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 4:49pm

Broadwayrox said it best. A large show with a small cast and a Small cast in large show would not work. 

Updated On: 10/10/16 at 04:49 PM

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 5:01pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "I made the previous post about large vs. small casts, and I feel I need to clarify. I wasn't wondering if you definitively prefer shows with large or small casts, regardless of whether the cast size is appropriate. I was wondering if you generally like shows with small casts or large casts better. "

You can "rephrase" the question as many different ways as you like -- you're going to keep getting the same answer.  It depends on the show!!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 5:09pm

We understood what you said, the answer is the same: it doesn't matter  A well -directed, acted & written show is going to make me happy regardless of the size of the cast.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 7:27pm

Yes, of course, it may depend on the show. But we've seen a lot of good work lately where large shows were re-conceived as small-cast shows. (And Equity Library Theatre did this successfully for years with small cast versions of shows such as FOLLIES.)

Other examples include revivals of SWEENEY TODD (the "Teeny" TODD and the version where the cast played the instruments). I worked on a winter stock production of SHOW BOAT with 12 instruments in the pit (carefully miked with the musicians doubling) and thoughtful use of a scrim behind which the smaller-than-usual white and black choruses could join together to create the illusion of a crowd; Donald Driver was the director and his production was excellent.

What seems to work less often is when an inherently smallish show is blown up to achieve the spectacle of a big show. E.g., productions of DAMES AT SEA with 40 people on stage.

Can anyone point to an example of the latter (a small show made big, not necessarily DAMES AT SEA) that worked?

Updated On: 10/10/16 at 07:27 PM

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 8:12pm

I've seen middle school productions of Spelling Bee where, rather than participants being called from the audience, it was an ensemble of nameless students in the back.