Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
#1Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:18pm
What are some shows in which the story was told in a uniquely artistic way? Example: THE LION KING, AVENUE Q, CAROLINE OR CHANGE, SPRING AWAKENING, etc.
Compiling a list for a paper.
Thanks!
--Aristotle
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#2re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:27pmI think you might have to be more specific, because every succesful show was done in a unique and artistic way. You'll end up having people just posting their favorite shows.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#2re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:27pm
#3re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:33pmThe Drowsy Chaperone, definitely.
It was awesome. - theaterkid1015
#4re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:36pmAs it has come up on another thread, the Deaf West Theater production of "Big River," which completely re-invented the show and was a terrific, moving production. It was in NYC as part of Roundabout's 2004 season.
#5re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:47pm
More specific? "Uniquely artistic" - the method of storytelling is unlike most everything else done.
THE LION KING: African masks and puppetry.
AVENUE Q: Hand-puppets and human.
CAROLINE OR CHANGE: Singers representing objects.
SPRING AWAKENING: A period German play with modern pop-style songs.
BIG RIVER: Told through sign language.
HELLO DOLLY, GYPSY, GUYS AND DOLLS, PETER PAN, SEUSSICAL, URINETOWN, SPAMALOT, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MAMMA MIA!, etc. are all told traditionally, for example.
--Aristotle
#6re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:52pm
Um: Wicked - Told by Witches, both good and bad.
How could you miss that one?!?
But seriously? Um...how about The Last 5 Years? It's a story of a relationship told from both the female and male perspective.
#7re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:52pmWhat about the SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY revivals? Both use(d) actors as musicians.
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
#8re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:59pm
"Um: Wicked - Told by Witches, both good and bad. "
hahaha
Last 5 Years staging is very unique.
#9re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:00pmAnother thought for you: Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro" used non-traditional staging and storytelling techniques. It even had a "greek chorus" commenting on the action. I've never seen a production of it, but I have read it and I've heard the score (not one of their best) and they were definitely trying something very different with that show.
emg_sound
Understudy Joined: 5/3/06
#10re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:01pm
The Song of Jakob Zulu, which featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo functioning as a Greek chorus.
How about Metamorphoses (Or Mary Zimmerman's entire oueve all together) [Argonautika was one of the most inventive theatrical experiences I've had in a long while]
Another thing to consider is the work of companies like PunchDrunk in the UK (Who make site specific installation productions of well known works)
BroadwayGirl107
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
SDav 10495
Broadway Star Joined: 7/21/06
#12re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:12pmHAIR: 30-something rock tunes commenting on contemporary issues; stagings of sex, war, acid trips and American history; a fourth-wall-breaking, clothes-shedding "tribe" of young people...sounds unique for 1968 to me.
#13re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:14pmI was thinking Sweeney and Company Revivals also Pacific Overtures
#14re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:21pmYet another "oldie but goodie:" "Lady in the Dark." It was a musical about psychoanalysis by Moss Hart, with a score by Kurt Weill. The musical numbers were confined to the heroine's sessions with her shrink, and they were all dream sequences. Stunning score, including "My Ship."
#15re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:26pm
I'll second the BIG RIVER Revival. It was *stunning*.
Also, THE WEDDING SINGER -- told through the eyes of a family of five eatin' macaroni on the couch of their trailer.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
deadparrot
Featured Actor Joined: 1/2/07
#16re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:27pm"Arcadia," by Tom Stoppard. Incredibly creative play in terms of structure, and one of my favorites.
SahDu
Leading Actor Joined: 3/22/05
#17re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:19am
I would say, IMHO, that the most artistic part of L5Y is not only that it is told from both male and female perspective, but additionally that one story starts from the end of the relationship and one from the beginning. Very different from anything I've ever experienced.
Updated On: 2/15/14 at 12:19 AM
#18re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:21amWhat about the rivival of Chicago? Taking away all of the flashy sets and sparkly costumes so that the storytelling and dance come forward.
#19re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/3/07 at 1:19am
How about:
Merrily We Roll Along: The story is told backwards, from middle age back to college.
Sunday in the Park With George: Really just the number "It's Hot Up Here" which has the painting come to life.
Assassins: The last scene, which has my favorite conspiracy theory for the Kennedy assassination.
#20re: Uniquely Artistic Plays and Musicals
Posted: 1/3/07 at 1:34am
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