Questions. re filmed stage musicals..

[kec]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:47pm

I'm having a "discussion" with someone on another board about archive recordings of shows. Among other things, this person claims that all actors going into the role of the Phantom are "required" to watch the original cast video to see how Michael Crawford handled the role. Is that likely? I believe someone here told me awhile ago that the POTO recording wouldn't be available until the show closed, is that correct?

Another issue that was discussed was that the archived tapes are made available to libraries for viewing by library patrons -- my impression is that those tapes never leave the library.

One more thing... has PBS ever shown a filmed performance of a musical that wasn't available on video/dvd? I know they've aired the RNT production of Oklahoma, which is available on DVD and other similar events, but cannot recall any performance that wasn't available on video/dvd.

Any and all assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[lildogs]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:50pm

I have never heard that about POTO and would find it odd if the producers required that, but they are signing the paycheck, so that's the price of playing the Phantom i guess.

Not sure about being able to borrow tapes, though you definitely can't borrow from Lincoln Center, you can see anything you want for free.

And I know PBS showed Paper Mill's Show Boat a VERY long time ago and I taped it off TV, but I've never seen it available for purchase. It was a great production by the way...

[kec]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:57pm

I seem to recall something about CONTACT being on PBS, and I have a tape of PIPPIN which I taped off Bravo many years ago. I looked the other day to see if CONTACT was available on DVD, but didn't find it. Didn't look for PIPPIN.

The thing about watching Crawford's performance really doesn't make any sense to me. Surely the actor going into the role would not want to "influence" his performance in any way by copying something MC did? Or is that just an ignorant assumption on my part?

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:57pm

Ragtime was aired a few times on PBS, but hasn't been released on video.

[nodaybut2day2007]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:00pm

Contact and Pippin were both released, my library has them both.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:03pm

I worked for awhile at the Library of Performing Arts. There are some directors that like performers to watch the videos. They believe that it will help the new performer learn the role more quickly. The Library of Performing Arts has a rule that unless you are associated with the show, you can't watch the taped version of a show currently running on Broadway.

PBS has shown many shows that were not released to the public. Crazy For You is the first that comes to mind.

[nodaybut2day2007]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:05pm

But if you wanted to see lets say, Urinetown, could you?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:06pm

"But if you wanted to see lets say, Urinetown, could you?"

If it was filmed and if you have a good reason for doing so.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:08pm

It's very unlikely about Phantom. First, the production itself doesn't own the archive copy. The archives do not allow anyone to see a currently running production that is archived. While they do have different restrictions per show, these are negotiated well in advance, and Phantom doesn't have a complete archived copy (according to the library's website, they only have clips). You can't check out the videos (for very obvious reasons), but you can view them at the library. While technically you need a valid reason (research, etc.) I've been told it isn't difficult to watch them.

Contact, Showboat, Crazy for you were shown but not released. When did Ragtime air? I would love to have been able to get a copy of it. I'm SURE there others, but those are the ones I know about.

[nodaybut2day2007]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:11pm

Contact WAS released, it is at my library.

Oh and what is the librarys website? Updated On: 8/31/05 at 06:11 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:14pm

RAGTIME aired on PBS??? When?

I remember the "making of" specials that aired. There were actually two: One for the LA (which was was the American Premiere) production. It was hosted by Audra McDonald (who wasn't even in it). Then the Broadway production had their own PBS special, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. Both were good, but (believe it or not), the LA special was better!

[SMiller]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:18pm

I know a friend of mine got to see the video of Seussical on Broadway when she was going to audition for the tour. She said all she had to do was say she was going to an audition and they let her watch it.

SMiller

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:22pm

Oh and what is the librarys website?

http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/the/the.specfea.html

[nodaybut2day2007]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:24pm

Thanks much.

[AvenueQPat]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:29pm

The library is pretty easy to view anything.

If you are going to be Artistic Staff for a production you should usually have no problem for newer shows. When I did South Pacific I had to have the Library call my theatre and verify we were really doing the show cause it was the original and rare, but they still OK'd it.

For Parade, I said I was doing a report on "Artistic Renderings of Anti-Semitism) and no problem

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:31pm

All I know is that when I start school in October I have a class called Musical Film Lab, where we get to watch performances from Broadway Shows. I think the Library of Performing Arts liscend the school to have access to the tape archives for teaching purposes.

You hear alot from Broadway performers that they are required to make the role all thier own. But I guess it comes down to the type of show like Phantom (They don't want an actor taking too many liberties with the character), and the director and how fast they need the actor to learn thier part. Thats all I could think of.

♥ Bettina

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:31pm

"When I did South Pacific I had to have the Library call my theatre and verify we were really doing the show cause it was the original and rare, but they still OK'd it."

I don't think it was the original South Pacific which opened in 1949. I think the oldest show they have dates back to the early 1970's.

[AvenueQPat]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:35pm

Nope this was the original Mary Martin Cast.

It looked like it was taped on old 8mm film and for a recording that old it wasn't that horrid.

It may not be listed on the site, but I went with the Director who cleared the viewing so I am not sure how he got the old one - if you ever do the show I highly recomend viewing it - just for the 'old musical' feel.

EDIT -----------
My Bad - It probably wasn't the original Mary Martin cast, it looks like it was actually imported from London. Here is the link if anyone is curious.

http://catnyp.nypl.org/search/tSouth+Pacific/tsouth+pacific/1%2C111%2C176%2CB/frameset&FF=tsouth+pacific&10%2C%2C25

Updated On: 8/31/05 at 06:35 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:39pm

"Nope this was the original Mary Martin Cast."

What you probably saw was the rehearsal footage of the London version.

Updated On: 8/31/05 at 06:39 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:41pm

You are right that it was Mary Martin, but it was the London production.

[AvenueQPat]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 6:41pm

Yeah - my mistake I went and looked it up afterwords. Shows how much I pay attention.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:10pm

The film of SOUTH PACIFIC was done by R&H themselves for their own archive. I have heard there was also a film of AGYG with Merman done the same way: one camara in the theatre, no audience!

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:13pm

back to ragtime...on pbs?! was it really aired? the one with rachel york from the papermill?!! i'd die if i could have a video of that. i saw it and was in love.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:15pm

NO, the full show of RAGTIME was never aired. When the show opened on Broadway PBS did show a one-hour program on the making of the show. How I wish PBS had broadcast the full show.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:23pm

me. too. i've watched the broadway production at the lincoln center library and i think it's just such a great show...which should be revived as soon as possible.