Non-Equity Hairspray Tour?- Page 2

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 11:31pm

SporkGoddess, do you know if the Miss Saigon non-eq. score was "scaled down" in many ways? I saw it (first time to see the show) and absolutely loved it--I can't see how it could have been scaled down, as the sets, costumes, and orchestrations were as elaborate and large-scale as I could imagine...I just hate feeling like I've seen a cheaper version of the Broadway show.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 11:40pm

"Is there any official listing of future cities to be visited on the Non-Equity tour of Hairspray?"

http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/TouringShows/index.aspx?showId=426

That lists a few of the tour stops, but obviously not all.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 11:53pm

It will be in Providence, RI in May 2007 for the first weekend of that month.

I've seen Non-Eq tours...some were good...some were bad. the best was MISS SAIGON.

The thing that can be a problem with Non-Eq tours is that everyone in the cast is usually very young, and that causes many roles for older people to be played by young people...which doesn't always work out.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 12:22am

"The thing that can be a problem with Non-Eq tours is that everyone in the cast is usually very young, and that causes many roles for older people to be played by young people...which doesn't always work out.".

As I stated above when discussing the non-equity tour of "Saturday Night Fever". It was awful having the "mother" played by someone who looked younger than the "son", wig or no wig.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 3:25am

"I have to agree that Non-Equity doesnt mean its bad. Do you think producers cast people who are bad?"

You're kidding, right? While I've certainly seen some bad acting in equity shows, by far non-equity can produce some horrendous performances. Having worked on the 2nd Nat'l tour of Miss Saigon in Chicago the very taleneted equity cast), I can assure you that for the most part, the Non-equity Miss Saigon had some amazing talent. The non-equity Music Man did as well, but with some pretty cheap-looking sets. Oklahoma! and Oliver were just horrifying to endure. I'd seen better acting in porn than in these shows!

"A being in Equity doesnt necessarily mean you are good. Sometimes it just means that at some point in they're lives they did a children's theatre tour and got an equity card from it."

Ummm, that's a stupid statement. I bet you will find a LARGE portion of equity members haven't gone anywhere near children's theatre (outside of college, where often times it's part of the program). And I doubt any who have done children's theatre received their Equity card from it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 8:19am

Fosse, that quote probably refers to a company here in NYC called Theatreworks USA, which does tour children's shows around the schools, and the actors do in fact receive their Equity card at the end of a tour.

Updated On: 7/9/06 at 08:19 AM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:18am

There is excellent Equity children's theatre in Chicago.

I have seen my last non Equity tour at a major touring house - the awful and shameful Rent in Chicago.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:23am

As far as actors having to learn their craft somewhere? That's what summer stock and regional theatre is for. An audience should not be paying top dollar for a cast of actors learning their craft in a show masquerading as a Broadway show.

I believe that if a show is running on Broadway or has recently closed on Broadway, any tour of that show should be Equity.

I've seen many non-Equity touring productions, and I've been very unimpressed with all of them. My biggest gripe is with the low production values. Lack of orchestra members often making the orchestra sound like it's being played on a keyboard. Costumes and sets that are scaled down so severely. It makes me crazy. All because some producer (namely Big League....that's the company that refuses to even negotiate with Equity) wants to save a few dollars.

As Equity states..."IF IT'S NOT EQUITY, IT'S NOT BROADWAY."

Equity / Non-Equity Tours (Current and Upcoming)

Updated On: 7/9/06 at 09:23 AM

[vontusslegirl87]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:51am

Isn't the current RENT tour non-equity? If so I saw it in Toronto and liked it 100x more than the Broadway cast I saw the year before...

Do you think that there will be more stops on the hairspray tour? I want it to come near Toronto so I can see it again! Hairspray = love!

Updated On: 7/9/06 at 09:51 AM

[Here_I_Go_Again]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 9:37pm

Anyone see it yet or have any cast news as it did start a few days ago????????

[kenmarksnj]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 8:52pm

nycdncr, you mentioned that an audience shouldn't have to pay top dollar for actors who are just learning their craft?

first of all, artists on broadway are still learning their craft. for a true artist, the road is neverending.

AND, who said anything about TOP DOLLAR? A good orchestra seat on tour is around 55/60 bucks.

top dollar?

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:22pm

Actors still learning their craft on a Broadway stage...hmmm...HAYLIE DUFF!!!!

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:39pm

This is the website but it only shows AC as the date and no cast info....

http://www.hairsprayontour.com/

NEXT STOP: ATLANTIC CITY!
WHEN:
July 23 - September 8, 2006

WHERE:
Harrah's Atlantic City
777 Harrah's Boulevard
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

ON SALE:
NOW!

TICKETS:
ticketmaster.com
1.800.736.1420

GROUPS:
1.800.736.1420

$$ RANGE:
$40.00 - $60.00

SCHEDULE:
Sundays: 3PM & 8PM
Mondays: 8PM
Tuesdays: 8PM
Wednesdays: 3PM & 8PM
Thursdays: 8PM
Fridays: 9PM
Saturdays: no performance

RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes.
Stay tuned for more dates and tour information!