Who Have You Seen Naked on Stage? — Page 11

Okay- perhaps seeing nudity on stage at some point in the 60's or 70's or 80's was a political act- fine by me- and I went to the Gaity near BWAY many times when I was in my twenties- and there is nothing wrong with nudity on stage- but the question here- as it is now b being discussed by me and others- who have changed this conversation from- Who Have You Seen Naked?- to is it necessary to see naked bodies in the theater or is it merely a commercial ploy to sell tickets and generate conversation?- I think the cards are way stacked on the side of it is NOT necessary to show nudity- characterization and drama are communicated by skilled directors and actors- but if you want to see some big star naked- or the director wants to add a bit of spice- fine by me. Is it necessary- NO. But, it is also usually not particularly offensive in this day and age.

Updated On: 1/19/20 at 07:20 AM

BWAY Baby2 said: "Okay- perhaps seeing nudityon stage at some point in the 60's or 70's or 80's was a political act- fine by me- and I went to the Gaity near BWAY many times when I was in my twenties- and there is nothing wrong with nudity on stage- but the question here- as it is now b being discussed by me and others- who have changed this conversation from- Who Have You Seen Naked?- to is it necessary to see naked bodies in the theater or is it merely a commercial ploy to sell tickets and generate conversation?- I think the cards are way stacked on the side of it is NOT necessary to show nudity- characterization and drama are communicated by skilled directors and actors- but if you want to see some big star naked- or the director wants to add a bit of spice- fine by me. Is it necessary- NO. But, it is also usually not particularly offensive in this day and age."

I'd say it depends on the play. For example, I would say nudity is necessary in Equus as it is mirroring Adam and Eve's shame before God after they gain carnal knowledge, as well as the vulnerability before him. Peter Shaffer was very interested in man's relationship with the idea of God, what it meant to be in the presence of Him, because of this, yes Alan has to be naked in that final scene.

In Take Me Out, it is necessary because of the setting. A majority of the play takes place in the locker room, and a lot of it takes place in the showers. It is natural to shower naked. It becomes weird if they are showering in shorts. The nudity also plays into the themes of the play, and helps bring those themes to the forefront. James Ivory makes a great point about including nudity in natural settings here: James Ivory on nudity

The revival of South Pacific, on the other hand, was nudity for the sake if nudity, and earned it's cheap laugh. Was it objectionable? No. Was it necessary? Also no.

Paul Alexander Nolan in Slave Play.

BWAY Baby2 said: "Yes--what about him?"

You didn't see the title of the thread?

theatreguy12 said: "Maybe just go see a sex show or hang out in the mens showers at the gym and ogle the guys as they come out of the showers. Why pay $100-$200 to see it? I mean, if that's all it's about."

No one has said that's all it's about.