#176
Posted: 9/13/06 at 8:20am
When I walk into a theatre I feel like I am in a special space.In pre-1990 theatre the house curtain, made of rich brocade or velvet- like material was always down, standing as a border between the here and now and the delights lying behind the curtain.One could look around and admire the architecture and murals. Then the house lights would dim and the overture would start and sometimes the house curtain would then go up revealing a show curtain that was sometimes a scrim so that at the end of the overture the back lighting of the scrim/showcurtain would reveal the actors for the first time. Show curtains such as these were not used in all shows.I remember the first one I saw was in 1958's GOLDILOCKS which had sumptuous sets and costumes (and Elaine Stritch).Beginning in the 1990's it was rare to see the house curtain, although the Shubert's beautiful house curtain was used for CRAZY FOR YOU in the 1990's, remaining in place until the end of the overture.
NOw show curtains are in place, front lit, from the time the audience comes into the theatre,usually revealing some aspect of the show one is about to see. Personally I prefer the old way, with the house curtain in place until the overture begins(if indeed there is an overture).
An innovation for its time was the opening of Gower Champion's CARNIVAL(1961). When the audience arrived it saw no house or show curtain, but rather a bare, dark stage. Ever so slowly the stage lights would brighten, revealing the cast setting up the carnival just as a traveling circus would do in the early morning.Only then would the overture begin, leading directly into the action of the first scene. It was magical. One should buy the CD to hear in their prime Jerry Orbach, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Kaye Ballard. It received rave reviews. CARNIVAL deserves to be revived.
NOw show curtains are in place, front lit, from the time the audience comes into the theatre,usually revealing some aspect of the show one is about to see. Personally I prefer the old way, with the house curtain in place until the overture begins(if indeed there is an overture).
An innovation for its time was the opening of Gower Champion's CARNIVAL(1961). When the audience arrived it saw no house or show curtain, but rather a bare, dark stage. Ever so slowly the stage lights would brighten, revealing the cast setting up the carnival just as a traveling circus would do in the early morning.Only then would the overture begin, leading directly into the action of the first scene. It was magical. One should buy the CD to hear in their prime Jerry Orbach, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Kaye Ballard. It received rave reviews. CARNIVAL deserves to be revived.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
Updated On: 9/13/06 at 08:20 AM
Evita program and the illustration on the back cover is of the Tim O'Brian showcurtain however, the bottom third of the curtain is different. Similar but the figures are in different poses. 
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