Being fascinated by stagecraft, it's impossible to choose just one, so here are some of my faves in two categories.
Bells & Whistles:
(In no particular order)
-Miss Saigon: "Fall of Saigon." I'd say this was the most stunningly realistic stage effect I've ever seen. I was sitting front row center first time I saw the show (1st national tour, L.A.) and was already expecting it to look impressive but nothing would've prepared me for that damn helicopter. Needless to say, my jaw dropped. Not only did it look completely real, but the visual matched with that score made for a real heart-stopping combination.
- The Phantom of the Opera: Overture. Come on, who doesn't like the opening of this show? It still thrills after so many years.
- Mary Poppins: I was obsessed with the film as a kid and am not ashamed to admit I destroyed many a Barbie doll from my sister's collection, trying to do her up to look like Ms. Poppins. At any rate, the show was a real treat and I couldn't help but feel a bit emotional as she flew over my noggin and out into the audience, an image that mesmerized me on film as a kid and seeing it live was a bit...MAGICAL, to say the least.
Simple, effective, and timeless:
- Les Miserables: The revolve, the revolve, the revolve. It gives the show a much needed seamlessness and is used to great effect during the fall of the barricades and the act one finale. I've never understood why this aspect of the show is always said to be overly technical when turntables have been a part of live theatre for many, many years. By the time it was used in Les Mis, it was far from innovative. What made it notable was the manner it which it was used and the way it helped tell the story and did far more than merely spin the cast around, lol.
- Evita: It's hard to believe the original Hal Prince production was considered "high tech" in its time and was even criticized for supposedly being gimmicky, LOL. It is such a cleverly staged production and the very simple, abstract ways in which Hal stages scenes such as the opening Requiem, using nothing more than a symbolic set of lights that form a pattern on the stage deck, is truly brilliant. Another favorite staging device in this show is the effective change of perspective seen at the end of "Dont Cry For Me Argentina." It's stunning to see Eva slowly turn while frozen in that iconic pose as the music swells and the image of the Casa Rosada behind her fades into an image of the thousands that make up her adoring public. I wish they'd dump the awful London revival staging and use the original instead for the upcoming Broadway revival.
- Sunset Boulevard: Opening scene showing a cool underwater perspective of Joe's body floating in Norma's pool. Incredibly simple to stage but drew "ooha and awws" from the audience.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
Updated On: 7/10/10 at 01:14 AM
