TOP HAT wins Olivier for Best New Musical; is Broadway Next?- Page 2

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 9:00am

From the online videos I saw of the tap numbers (Puttin' On The Ritz, the finale bows, and Top Hat), I was a little disappointed by the choreography. It seems that the goal was to put the ensemble in lines, with everyone dancing the identical steps in place, on their individual marks. Very minimal traveling, or use of the stage.

I assume that the Fred and Ginger numbers have been recreated from the movie, as closely as possible. I'm always appreciative of the skill it requires to dance those numbers (the ones recreated from the movie) "live", eight shows a week, with no opportunity for "second takes", but when I think about the creativity put into the tap choreography for Anything Goes, I'm a little let down by Top Hat.
Updated On: 4/29/13 at 09:00 AM

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 9:19am

"What was the CABARET that Will Young was nominated for? Had it been running for awhile or what? Didn't they just have a revival not too long ago?"

That was a revival of Rufus Norris' 2006 London revival which had a limited run this season at The Savoy Theatre.

[peachesr82]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:32pm

Here's their performance from the Oliviers last night for anyone who's interested. They were the opening of 'act 2' after intermission if you wondered why there are people milling about at the beginning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yte6SzAGj3Q

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 01:32 PM

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:54pm

>> "Here's their performance from the Oliviers last night for anyone who's interested."

I'm glad to have the opportunity to see this clip, but I'm even more disappointed that this show won the Olivier for choreography.

If push should ever come to shove, the producers could save a lot of money in ensemble salaries by simply replacing real people with mirrors.

[eperkins]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 2:33pm

Looking at the trailer - that looks like a very large cast!

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 3:04pm

"I assume that the Fred and Ginger numbers have been recreated from the movie."

No, then the credit would be "Choreography by Hermes Pan" instead of Bill Deamer, who won the Olivier. Movies and theater are very different genres and their respective choreography doesn't usually translate from one medium to the other. And as for everyone doing the same choreography during the tap, it can get a little muddy when you segment the ensemble and have them tapping different steps at the same time.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 3:56pm

And as for everyone doing the same choreography during the tap, it can get a little muddy when you segment the ensemble and have them tapping different steps at the same time.

Isn't variation in formation kinda Choreography 101?

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 3:57pm

I have to say, I just watched Headley perform "I Will Always Love You" and it looks like it could be the number to get people roaring as if it's Whitney herself, almost like Jersey Boys does.

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 03:57 PM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 4:01pm

"Isn't variation in formation kinda Choreography 101?"

You're absolutely right and they did some of that. Especially in a "question-answer" segment. But I, maybe incorrectly, thought the poster was hoping for all the tappers to be doing different steps at the same time, which doesn't work so well and isn't what I think you mean by "variation in form."

[eperkins]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 4:57pm

When everyone is doing the same step at the same time and you get precision dancing, the effect can be thrilling. I think that's what they were going for in the segment. If you've seen any other numbers, they do mix it up a lot.

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 6:54pm

> "When everyone is doing the same step at the same time and you get precision dancing, the effect can be thrilling."

I completely agree, especially when the genre is 'ballroom' and the ladies are in flowing gowns. I do get a sense of a stage filled with mirrors (which is nice). But, does this have to be used in every ensemble number? From what I've seen, the effect feels overused (for my tastes). I've not seen a single ensemble number where this strict repetition style is *not* used (with only minimal use of traveling, or movement off the mark).

Face the Music/Top Hat, white Tie...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yte6SzAGj3Qv=aDdWzPDWfR8


Bows Rehearsal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BecHw4Ar_UU


Puttin' On the Ritz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfmbNs3s5UE

Top Hat Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWzb_mZk8QA

When you watch the trailer, it seems like every cut from a dance number shows this "block" style (I can't think of a correct term to describe this style).

Particularly in a number like Puttin' On the Ritz, I'd prefer the choreography to break away from this style and add more traveling for visual interest. I compare it to a number like Anything Goes, where traveling is used frequently to add visual interest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo6lPifGnGA

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 9:19pm

I was also wondering if there Oliver win might push them to come to Broadway. Although it is similar to NICE WORK... which we see only sold due to Matthew Broderick. Can they bring TOP HAT with no stars?

[Citygirl.grace]

Posted: 5/10/13 at 5:06pm

I'm the silly type that thinks that there always needs to be a "classic broadway" type of show running all the time. A show with great, classic, music that everyone knows and show stopping dance/tap numbers. Sort of your broadway cliche kinda show. For a while I think it was Anything Goes, and then Nice Work, and now with Nice Work closing I think Top Hat would be a perfect fit. I would LOVE to see it make a Broadway transfer. Preferably with Kristen Beth Williams. She is incredibly talented and was a huge stand out in both Nice Work and Anything Goes.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/10/13 at 10:45pm

Watching the Olivier Awards footage is not a real reflection of the show as the canes are missing for the latter two numbers, and at least 33.3% of the choreography is cane work. They look stupid without the canes. That was a big mistake, leaving the cast onstage with only 66.6% of the choreography.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 9:32am

Well this is closing in the West End at the end of summer now so unsure whether it will make the transfer.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 2:35pm

Although it does free up a set to go across the atlantic

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 6:22pm

Tommy Tune is working on a new production for Broadway.


Tommy Tune Grooming West End Musical Top Hat for American Audiences

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 7:12pm

Saw it a week ago and thought it was absolutely beautiful. Yes, it is a "classic" musical, very different from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which I also saw, and that's its charm. It's not flashing video messages and screaming at you (there were things I enjoyed about CATCF too, don't get me wrong); it's giving you pure singing and dancing at its finest. Tommy Tune says it needs work for an American audience, but this American (who didn't even realize that it was an Astaire/Rogers movie because I'm not in that demographic, I suppose) thoroughly enjoyed it as is.