Your "How do they do that?!" moments

#1

Your "How do they do that?!" moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:32pm

Go ahead! Post those "Woah, what? How...wait...did she...whaaa?" moments that left you baffled for at least a couple weeks or even still torment you to this day.

Mine? Probably when I was younger and saw Beauty and the Beast. When the Beast was transformed back into his human self I was just completely astonished.

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Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.

#2

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:35pm

On the topic of transformations- the witch transforming in Into the Woods.

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"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck

#3

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:37pm

Whenever a broadway star belts, I fell like I could faint. I get envyous, but I just find those moments amazing. Not what you had in mind, but all I could think of.

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The bushes of Tex were nervous recks because their son was dim, But look what happened to him~Dirrty Rotten Scoundrels~all about Ruprecht They say the thoughtful musicals dead on broadway~forbiden broadway : SVU~The crime scene Never say never, there's always one more person you can hit up~avenue Q.~the money song Life sucks, get a pacifyer~my own saying

#4

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:40pm

Costume changes during Showoff - Drowsy Chaperone.

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"I'll show you a laughgasm. I'll gasm all over this stage!"
"Interesting choice"

#5

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:41pm

The transformation of the Witch in INTO THE WOODS and the Prince in BEUATY & the BEAST

All the others I have grown accustomed to

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"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES--- "THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS

#6

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:49pm

Agreed on the costume changes during Show Off, but particularly the purple dress behind the umbrella. It's just... that SPLIT-SECOND TIMING. Amazes me every time.

The witch's transformation looked a lot more impressive on the video before I did the show than after.

#7

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:55pm

The costume changes during Show Off. It baffled me.
It's such good timing.

#8

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:57pm

When Simba sees his father in The Lion King, I couldn't concentrate on anything except how they did the large face. It wasn't until I saw the pieces being taken away did I realize it wasn't an advanced technology, but simple cleverness. =] I felt quite silly.

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#9

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:57pm

The "Show Off" costume change behind the umbrella. How the HELL did they do it?!

#10

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:15pm

The dress is put into a pocket in the umbrella.

#11

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:16pm

On Broadway, the Into the Woods change was simple: it's a body double dressed as the old witch with Bernie on a mic while she's changing off-stage.

I won't give out any other secrets of shows that are still running...

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#12

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:16pm

>>>The "Show Off" costume change behind the umbrella. How the HELL did they do it?!<<<

Ditto for me. I still break out my Tony tape and watch that part over and over again.

By the way, Dirty Rotten Scoundrel, where is your avatar from?

#13

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:17pm

The hat flying in Piazza... I read an explanation, but I'm still a little baffled as to how they make the switch.

#14

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:20pm

If you look at the tape of the telecast you will see Clara go off stage and return with the "rigged" hat.

Also on the tape is a segment on how the hat flew. Old technology--just a guy (big buy) pulling on a rope. It lifts him 3 feet off the ground and the counterweight takes him gently down. Looks pretty brutish backstage, yet beautifully elegant from the front of house.

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 07:20 PM

#15

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:21pm

"The hat flying in Piazza... I read an explanation, but I'm still a little baffled as to how they make the switch."

If you can get your hands on a tape of the PBS broadcast, it was explained during the behind-the-scenes special aired during intermission. The segment cuts back and forth from the crewman to the action on stage.

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-- SDG

#16

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:21pm

I saw Cinderella at the Papermill Playhouse in NJ last year, and they did two quick changes that were even more impressive than Drowsy's. When Cinderella changed into her ball gown (and back out later), both changes were done on stage, and included hair, makeup, and show changes.

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#17

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:36pm

The first time I saw the rats in Hairspray, I was surprised. Then I realized that I was also slightly retarded.

The Witch change and the "Show Off" changes just amaze me every time. I love them to death.

#18

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:40pm

For the transformation in BATB, a double is used. After the set revolves, it's no longer the same actor as the Beast. He's changing into his prince costume backstage!

#19

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:44pm

Same as ITW! Plus, quick change artists have been around for centuries. Always entertaining, but suprisingly simple! Velcro anyone? Layers, pockets...anyone?

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#20

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:47pm

There is a video on that one site that we don't speak of with some cool quick change artist stuff.

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"People that excel in the arts understand that the journey is the reward...the result an added bonus. Every day I act or train is a blessing and a dream come true. If Broadway beckons so be it. I have a personal definition of success that is unshakable by a possibly unobtainable goal." -HamletWasBipolar

#21

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:47pm

when Phantom of the Opera was in Raleigh back in... 1999 or so, I was completely baffled at the local TV reporter who disappeared in the Phantom's chair during the six o'clock news. I think I was 12 years old... I just figured it was a joke and they had done a camera trick (you know... record.. then he gets out of the chair and walks away... then record the empty chair)
then last year NHS at my high school went to NYC and we saw Phantom -- it was just weird remembering seeing that about 5 years ago on TV and being amazed, even moreso this time with it live.

Now I just feel like an idiot.

#22

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 8:04pm

In Ragtime when the Whites appear behind the scrims.

If you watch the Tonys of "Show Off" you can see the magnets on the yellow dress. Look at the weird lumps on Sutton's shoulders

#23

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 8:07pm

So does the dress just fly off of her or something? Through the power of the magnets?

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"People that excel in the arts understand that the journey is the reward...the result an added bonus. Every day I act or train is a blessing and a dream come true. If Broadway beckons so be it. I have a personal definition of success that is unshakable by a possibly unobtainable goal." -HamletWasBipolar

#24

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 8:14pm

Since we're **spoiling** everything... **Spoilers Ahead**






I think the yellow dress comes off and goes into a pocket of the umbrella (toward the center) the yellow dress is held on with magnets(or something like that). The Purple one is on underneath.

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"It's like children's theatre for 40-year old gay people!" - XANADU THE MUSICAL

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 08:14 PM

#25

re: Your 'How do they do that?!' moments

Posted: 8/13/06 at 8:21pm

I realize that it's behind the umbrella...but man, that's a quick change nonethelss. Is it put on over the other dress? Doesn't seem like it. Hmm. I'm seeing it August 25th, I will figure it out...somehow...