Why is it called "Manson Trio"?
Why is it called "Manson Trio"?
willrogers2008
Featured Actor Joined: 12/9/08
#1Why is it called "Manson Trio"?
Posted: 5/2/13 at 11:18amIn PIPPIN. I would like to know. Please, help me.
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#2Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 11:27amI've always wondered this too. Thanks for asking, willrogers! Curious to see if anyone knows.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
#2Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 11:34am
‘Why’s it called the Manson Trio?’?” Paulus recalls. “He said, ‘Because Bob was very interested in Charles Manson.’ It was the idea of the Leading Player as a kind of charismatic leader, kind of a cult leader. That’s a particularly dark way to see it, but it was really illuminating to understand that reference had significance for Fosse: the juxtaposition of song-and-dance and people being killed.”
Also here's a good video of the current production.
Manson Trio
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
willrogers2008
Featured Actor Joined: 12/9/08
#4Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 11:40amI've also watched videos of the original version and how most people do it (male LP, 2 female dancers). I find that the gender reversal is stronger and sexier.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#5Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 11:56amThat's what I thought it meant. Thank yo, Clyde.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#6Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 12:00pm
Manson, of course was a man and most of his cult followers were women and that's why the original was cast that way and IMO, how it should be.
#7Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 3:40pm
It's a bit of a fallacy to say that the Leading Player is a man because Ben Vereen and Charles Manson were men and were equivalent.
The Leading Player is not Manson, or even a Manson analogue. Manson's cult of personality was part of the inspiration for Fosse's staging of the Players and their interaction, but as a directorial, not textual choice.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#8Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 3:43pmYou are quite correct darquegk, I'm just stubborn on this point.
#9Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 3:56pm
Good lord--a civilized difference of opinion!
Well done.
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#10Why is it called
Posted: 5/2/13 at 4:32pmIndeed, Reginald! Pretty rare on this site.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Contributor
Stand-by Joined: 7/14/03
#11Manson Trio
Posted: 5/2/13 at 4:42pm
BTW one of the trio in the current show is Anthony Wayne, featured on BroadwayWorld two years ago as a Gypsy of the Month. He talked then about Fosse being a big inspiration.
Anthony Wayne interview
Videos