Nudity in Company?
Nudity in Company?
TenCentsADance1
Swing Joined: 11/5/06
#1Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:00pmHey, i am posting to ask a question. I'm assistant directing a production of Company and the director wants to have full nudity in the scene between Robert and April, has anyone ever seen a production where this has been done? Does it work in the context of the story?
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#2re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:16pm
There is absolutely no way it can help in the storytelling...it'll just be distracting...unless of course the actor who is playing Bobby is Jewish...then it wouldn't matter. 
--Aristotle
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#3re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:20pmYour director is sick, dude.
#5re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:20pmum...no. not acceptable in theatre. what does the director even want them to do in the nude!!!
#6re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:21pm
It would be totally uncalled for.
Look at the new revival, there is absolutely no skin in the scene, just some unbuttoned shirts. And it's just as effective. So I feel you don't need any skin for that scene.
Though I can't imagine how thrilling it was to see Dean Jones and Susan Browning in bed together, showing skin, and having Donna McKechnie dance around them! What I would do to see that!
Updated On: 11/5/06 at 07:21 PM
#8re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:24pm
This show certainly doesn't need it. Shirts off would be OK, but full frontal would be distracting.
Maybe he should do OH, CALCUTTA! instead.
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#9re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:30pmActually, there have been dozens, if not hundreds, of productons that have had April topless for a moment in the "Barcelona" scene.
ThankstoPhantom
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
#10re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:39pmWhy is that sick? As long as it is not done in a showy way (and is professionally and tastefully done), it's okay...the man hasn't even staged it yet.
#12re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:46pmIn the recent Seattle production, April did get topless, but not until they were in the bed...between the blocking and the lighting, you never saw bare breasts. Bobby stripped down to briefs and socks. His briefs came off after he was under the covers. So, you didn't see anything...except if you were in the first few rows during the blackout between Barcelona and the next scene.
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#13re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:51pmIt's a good thing, then, that the show I'm doing now doesn't have nude scenes. Twice.
ThankstoPhantom
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
#14re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 7:55pm
Perverted? Perverted is slurring sexual jokes and exposing onself (randomly) numerous times throughout the performance because it's supposed to be "funny." I could be a bit more descriptive, but then we'd be in a different ball field.
A potentially artful and meaningful nude staging is not perverted. (I'm saying potential because I haven't seen THIS director's staging, but with a benefit of a doubt, it could be okay for the show)
#15re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 8:03pm
I'm pretty sure there's none written in.
I've seen like 5 different community theatre's productions, and all people kept their clothes on.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#17re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 8:23pmunless it's in script, don't do it,
#19re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 8:32pmIf he wants full nudity he should go direct "Frankie and Johnny" by Terrance McNally.
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
#20re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 8:38pmPhantom, we are saying this is perverted because full nudity is not needed.
#21re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 8:59pmthere was a group, that did company where april was topless for few seconds, and after the 1st weekend, she kept her bra on, the reason, most of the comments were "great show, but why the nudity"
#22re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 9:00pm
The script actually does call for Robert and April to undress and get into bed together (although it does indicate that April does the last of her undressing under the sheets.) So it is not necessarily gratuitous.
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Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
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husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#23re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 9:01pmI don't really see a need for it, especially considering 9/10 of the time, if the nudity is NOT built it, it is all I remember.
#24re: Nudity in Company?
Posted: 11/5/06 at 9:25pmHmm... weird decision, and absolutely nothing to do with the storytelling...
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