Site-specific stagings

Following the example of the upcoming production of Sweeney Todd, which is set in a pie shop (even if said pie shop is being recreated for its NY run), can you think of any musicals that could also be staged in venues other than a standard theatre?

In the case of Sweeney, I think that the size of the cast and the chamber quality of the piece really make it work.

I saw High Fidelity staged in a commercial space designed to look like a record shop.

The recent Georgia staging of Miss Saigon outside which had an actual live helicopter taking off and landing.

Murder Ballad was originally performed in a bar. My friend had the idea to stage LaChiusa's Wild Party in a living room.

The 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar was sort of this, given it was filmed in Israel reasonably close to where everything took place, and had that whole "play within a play" vibe.

Updated On: 1/10/17 at 02:25 PM

I just saw the Irish Rep's production of The Dead, which was staged at the Irish Historical Society's beautiful townhouse and served a recreation of the meal from the story. I'd love to see the musical version staged similarly.

Where/when was Spelling Bee?

Lysistrata Jones was initially staged in NY in an actual Gymnasium...

mpd4165 says: "I directed bare in a church sanctuary."

how the hell'd you get the church to let you do that? Did they know the content of the show?

Alex Kulak2 said: "mpd4165 says: "I directed bare in a church sanctuary."

how the hell'd you get the church to let you do that? Did they know the content of the show?



"

they may be a LGBT-friendly church, and a non-Catholic one

I've always found this sort of thing a bit too gimmicky for my taste, but a friend of mine has this pretty neat idea of how to do a production of The Drowsy Chaperone in a New York studio apartment and I am deeply intrigued in seeing it someday.

broadwayguy91 said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "mpd4165 says: "I directed bare in a church sanctuary."

how the hell'd you get the church to let you do that? Did they know the content of the show?



"

they may be a LGBT-friendly church, and a non-Catholic one





"

broadwayguy91 is correct. We worked with a Methodist church that has often opened its space to theatre groups, and we were upfront about the content. It made them even more excited to offer their space.

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "Probably been done before, but I've always wanted to stage Into the Woods in an modest amphitheater surrounded by trees...and have the natural light serve as the "lighting cues."

Less ambitiously, how about Nine set in an old movie house? Or Anything Goes in concert on the Staten Island Ferry? Hehe...it is my hometown, after all."

Armstrong Woods is a state park north of San Francisco near Guerneville, the gay'ish resort area. The park has the most awesome ampitheater. I don't think it is used much at all, but it would be absolutely ideal for INTO THE WOODS. As you can see in the picture it even has an orchestra pit.

PatrickDC said: "I remember seeing a video of some scenes from BIG RIVER performed on a series of platforms over a running creek with a small waterfall in the background. Looked spectacular.



This one?