Natascia Diaz Front Page... Why? — Page 5

"Husk mentioned something--isn't it awfully difficult to stage a fairly major production of this show and get permission to NOT do the original choreography?"

No, it's not difficult at all. I was in an early Equity (non-tour) production that didn't use the original choreography. (I wish we had, though!) The cast included Becky Ann Baker and Marin Mazzie.

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Updated On: 8/10/11 at 06:27 AM

You may be required to license the choreography, but you're not required to use it. That's the same with Fiddler and West Side Story.

It's to ensure that this essential part of the show gets royalties as well. It's more about paying the core creative talent than it is about "making you" use it in your production.

And since the rights to ACL were released back in 1985 (when we did it first), there have been countless regional pro and amateur productions of this show without the original choreography. Same thing with WSS and Fiddler. I agree with you that I would rather see the original, since it's such an integral part of these shows.

And most producers who license it will use it, or at least part of it, because they paid for it.

EDIT: There are other shows that have add-on licensing requirements. When you license "Little Shop of Horrors," it automatically comes with the blueprints for the plant(s). ... but you don't have to use them. You still pay for them, regardless.

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Updated On: 8/10/11 at 06:34 AM

Apology accepted, Husk. I know how passionate you are about this show, and I know how much time and careful consideration you have given it.

I truly admire that!

It's a good example of the reason we're all here, or should be here, IMO.

(I hope that didn't come off as patronizing, because I mean it!)

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Equity summer stock in Michigan. The Barn Theatre. This was nearly 30 years ago, but Marin was a better dancer than most people might think. Just like it took a while for NY audience to see the comic side of her (she was always good at it) until Kiss Me, Kate.

She was not a full-on "dancer." But she was most definitely a "singer who moved very well." And she did really well in the show. She played Diana (if you can believe that.) She didn't look Puerto Rican at all, but she sang the hell out of "What I Did For Love" and "Nothing." (Ah, summer stock!) Becky Ann Baker (Becky Gelke back then) started as a singer/dancer in the original Best Little Whorehouse. She was a very good dancer then (still not her strongest point). She was our Cassie (if you can believe it). And both of them were powerhouse actors. Doug LaBreque was also in the show as Don. He went on to play both the Phantom and Raoul on the road (first actor to do that in Webber's version), did Hal Prince's Show Boat on Broadway, and toured as Marius in Les Mis as well. He was an excellent dancer, and could have easily done the original ACL choreography. One of the true triple-threats I have known.

"But that was many years ago ... I doubt if anyone would know."

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Updated On: 8/10/11 at 08:37 AM

I would love to see Natascia have a turn as either Roxie Hart or Velma Kelly in "Chicago." from RC in Austin, Texas

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"Okay, enough.

Who says it's being mistaken for the "real deal?" I said it was "watered down" which means it's NOT the real deal. You're the second person to misunderstand what I mean by that. Husk was the first.

Real Bennett choreography = Real Bennett choreography

Watered down = NOT real Bennett choreography, but something that looks like a "wannabe." There are a few steps that emulate what he did. The rest is something else altogether. So it's "watered down." There. Got it?

Simplified Bennett = NOT real Bennett choreography, but something that looks like a "wannabe." There are a few steps that emulate what he did. The rest is something else altogether. So it's "simplified." There. Got it?

End of lesson in comprehension."

My comprehension skills are fine. It's my habit of skimming long threads that could use some work. :S

I was actually agreeing with you in that what is on the video is a simplified version of the original choreography.

My skimming of certain posts led to the impression people were trying to correct you, saying what's on that video is the true Bennett choreography and not a variant when, in fact, they were saying it IS a variant and thought you were suggesting it was so close to the 'real deal', it probably is and only seems "off" due to Ms. Diaz lack of strength in the dancing dept.

I actually misunderstood THEM, and so I take back what I said about "people mistaking it for the 'real deal'" since it was the opposite.

At any rate, how's the weather?

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Long time (like 5 years) lurker...I saw the documentary and I saw Jessica Lee Goldyn at the Stages St Louis. She was AMAZING. The cast of that show was amazing in general, but she was definitely a stand out. She still looked young for the part, but she came across as mature and seasoned and it was believable. Stages is a very small theater, seats about 300? And we were in the second row..so had a great view.