New Trend ?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 8:42pm

First Sweeney & now Company

Call me a purist but an orchestra belongs in the pit & not with the actors playing instruments

Any other views ?

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 8:50pm

I think it works where it works. I have not seen Doyle's company, so I cannot comment. I believe there are moments in Sweeney when this concept is brillinat and moments when it's distracting. As someone who plays instruments, it is wonderful and fabulous to hear a live orchestra in the traditional way. Honestly, I think it's difficult to make a general statement here, because there have not been (for my purposes) enough productions using actors as musicians to really judge.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 8:52pm

I'm all for doing interesting things with older musicals if it works for the story. I'm sure many of us never would've believed that Sweeney Todd could work with such sparse orchestrations, but it did. Not sure about Company, but since it's from the same people I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Of course not every show can have the actors be the musicians. I don't think it's really going to change or shift over outside of this one director. There simply aren't enough people who can play a variety of instruments who are also actors with great voices, good dancing ability, and stage presence.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 9:29pm

Posted this in one of the threads on Company, will say it again:

I think it's a little bit premature to assume this is some sort of orchestra-killing trend on Broadway. And I also don't think this type of direction is comparable to a show like Urinetown or Spelling Bee whose orchestrations don't require full-orchestras by virtue of the musical style -- nor are either comparable to the "disappearance" of the Broadway orchestra that would come about by, say, using canned music.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:11pm

Yes...it seems people support the idea that theatre should be disturbing and dull, plus the actors must play their own instruments and the Broadway shows will be cheaper and cheaper to run. BKLYN and Sweeney are the future!!! Sweeney didn't hire an orchestra and hired only 10 actors and charged $110 a ticket! great deal!!! keep going to see these kind of shows.
Mr Roxy has a point and i agree with him.

Updated On: 3/22/06 at 10:11 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:42pm

What, exactly, do you find "disturbing and dull" about Sweeney Todd? Just because a show's production costs are not through the roof does not make it either of those things. The show is brilliant, though not one that has an easy time pleasing the crowds. I applaud the producers of this show for taking what is somewhat of a risk, making their money back, and keeping their show on Broadway. And, for the record, Sweeney's prices are lower than those of many other shows. If you want a "big" show for you 100 dollars (and if that is how you judge quality), go see Wicked.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:45pm

I still remember shows like the original Follies

When you heard a full pit orchestra play, I am sorry but it cannot compare with todays orchestras especially ones where the actors are the orchestra

If they want to charge $ 110 , which is obscene to begin with, at least give you a full throated broadway orchestra not the Readers Digest condensed version of one

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:48pm

A new trend?

Maybe just a particular director...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:53pm

I think your narrow view here is a HUGE slam on the brilliant, astounding, untouchable talent of these actors in shows like Company and Sweeney who are not only triple, but quadruple threats. If you feel "ripped off" watching that kind of talent perform, just because it's not as many people and as much typical bang for your buck, honestly, I'm sorry for you. Be a little flexible.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:56pm

Well said, Emcee.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:56pm

Updated On: 3/22/06 at 10:56 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:56pm

Updated On: 3/22/06 at 10:56 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 10:58pm

I've seen both of Doyle's current Sondheim productions. They both WORK, which is a feat in itself, and they're both beautiful.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 11:02pm

I envy you for being able to see Company. I tried. I was like, so, Mom, Company is playing in Cincy. And she was like "Yeah, no"

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 11:04pm

A far worse trend is the spate of shows this season with projections, slides and LCD screens instead of scenery.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 11:05pm

Like keatonbythenumbers said, it's just this director. He's been doing it for years, it's just now being brought to the US. It's not something that will work for every show, nor should it be tried with every show. I can't imagine Defying Gravity having as much of an impact if Elphaba lugged a cello up on the cherry picker with her. It's something new, yes, but that doesn't mean that it's the going to be tried with every single show from now on. If you were around when Oklahoma came out, you'd be complaining about this new fangled plot trend.

Sweeney and Company are both amazing productions, I just can't believe you think these are worse for the future of Broadway than things like jukebox musicals and Britney Spears being seriously considering for a leading role.

Updated On: 3/22/06 at 11:05 PM

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 11:09pm

"If you were around when Oklahoma came out, you'd be complaining about this new fangled plot trend."

Hee!

[Wings Haint]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:44am

Sweeney Todd was disturbing and dull. If you've ever seen the full-out version you would realize not only was the singing less than it should have been for one main character, but music was simply left out in spots! That's just criminal on such a masterpiece of musical theatre. Actors are forced to cover more bases and it is cheapening show quality. If you've never seen Sweeney, this production was hard to follow.