Broadway is a huge corporation that is making a lot of business in the present day. Theater has been around for a very long time now; hundreds and hundreds of years have gone past, and we are still living with theater all around us. Although there have been many altercations to the theater industry because of the massive improvement in technology, theater is still here with us and it is not going anywhere anytime soon.
There have been plays written hundreds of years ago, many written from the famous William Shakespeare that are still being performed today. Some examples are: “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” and “Macbeth.” These plays are still being performed today. You can see “Macbeth” playing at the Theatre Banshee in California from March to April. “Othello” is playing this season in Alabama, New York, and Virginia. The tickets for the showing in New York are running around $75 a ticket. One could find discount tickets on many different websites that has to do with the theater company. There are also many side stands out side of theaters where they try to sell tickets for shows very last minute and they want to get rid of them, even if they make a smaller profit off of them.
William Shakespeare is one of the most famous play writes known to man. If you to ask any person to name any play by William Shakespeare, the first play that comes to everyone’s mind would definitely be the famous, well known “Romeo and Juliet.” This play is what made Shakespeare the famous play write that he is today. Literally, everyone knows the story line. A young boy and girl fall in love but no one wants them to be together, so they kill themselves so they can finally be together. Countless movies, songs, and stories have been based on this one tragic, famous love story; all because of one man’s story.
One of the biggest shows running on Broadway right now is “The Lion King.” This show has been taken from the hit Disney classic movie, and brought to the stage with a twist of African culture. There are vibrant costumes, cultural dancing, and excessive use of animated props. The show is very kid friendly and has received excellent reviews from many critics. The show runs for almost three hours, and is packed with excitement throughout the entire show. Ticket prices run anywhere from $65 and above. The famous and well known Julie Taymor is the director of this piece and also designed the costumes, masks, and puppets. This show has had over forty five million people come watch this amazing musical world wide. “The Lion King” has won many awards for its outstanding performance. This includes: eleven Tony Awards, eleven Drama Desk Awards, and won the Theatre World Award in 1998. The musical’s first show was in July of 1997 and is still running very successfully to this day.
It’s kind of amazing to see what producers turn into musicals. Some Broadway shows that are running right now are: “Billy Elliot,” “Wicked,” and “South Pacific.” All of these shows have been quite successful. You would never think that the ever popular movie “Shrek” would be turned into a play that runs on Broadway, but that’s what’s so great about the theatre department; they always go beyond our expectations, and they always seem to impress us.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Show Report
I was never really into theater, it just wasn’t my forte. I never went to any of the school plays, and I certainly never wanted to be a part of them. A few years ago, I saw the hit movie “Hairspray” and absolutely adored it. I loved it because I loved the people in it. There were many famous actors and actresses who took part in this movie. John Travolta played one of the main characters; the only twist is, he played a woman! His character was Edna Turnblad, the hefty, overweight wife of Christopher Walken’s character, Wilber, and the mother of teen age Tracy Turnblad. Tracy was played by debut start Nikki Blonsky. This was her very first performance. Before she became a hot new actress, she was working at a home town ice cream shop, where she was discovered by the producers. Tracy’s secret love obsession, Link Larkin, is played by the sexy and dreamy Zac Effron. Link’s girlfriend Amber Von Tussle, is played by teenage star Brittany Snow. Her mother, the sexy, yet racist Mrs. Velma Von Tussle, is played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Tracy’s best friend Penny is played by the corky Amanda Bynes, and her character’s boyfriend Seaweed is played by actor, Elijah Kelly.
Hairspray is based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, with a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman. Hairspray is directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. This musical play has won a tremendous amount of awards. This includes awards from all around the world. Four Oliver Awards, two Critic’s Choice Awards, eight Tony Awards, seven Drama Desks Awards, and a Grammy. The press loves this musical. They have received a great amount of excessive reviews. Many of them have given the Broadway play four stars.
The show first debuted on Broadway in August of 2002, and is still playing. Tickets are very expensive because of the success of the show. The musical opened with $12 million in advance. After the show had won a Tony Award, the Broadway hit was expected to do five times better in business than it normally did. During that year and the year after, the seating capacity was 99%.
I chose this particular musical because it is the one that made me more interested in seeing more musicals. When I first saw the movie “Hairspray,” I didn’t think I would like it, let alone love it. As soon as the first song, “Good Morning Baltimore” came on, I instantly fell in love with the play and I knew I wanted to see it live. All the characters played their parts so well and they had such great chemistry with each other. I really loved how they kept the tradition of a man playing the female role as Edna Turnblad. The story has a really great message too. During the 60s there was so much segregation and racism. Tracy and her friends are pushing towards the future and trying to break the terrible cycle. She fights a lot of people on the way, but in the end, she gets the two things that she wants more than anything: to be a television star and to end the segregation on the television show. One single girl made a huge difference for a lot of people in her town, city, and country.
Hairspray is based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, with a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman. Hairspray is directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. This musical play has won a tremendous amount of awards. This includes awards from all around the world. Four Oliver Awards, two Critic’s Choice Awards, eight Tony Awards, seven Drama Desks Awards, and a Grammy. The press loves this musical. They have received a great amount of excessive reviews. Many of them have given the Broadway play four stars.
The show first debuted on Broadway in August of 2002, and is still playing. Tickets are very expensive because of the success of the show. The musical opened with $12 million in advance. After the show had won a Tony Award, the Broadway hit was expected to do five times better in business than it normally did. During that year and the year after, the seating capacity was 99%.
I chose this particular musical because it is the one that made me more interested in seeing more musicals. When I first saw the movie “Hairspray,” I didn’t think I would like it, let alone love it. As soon as the first song, “Good Morning Baltimore” came on, I instantly fell in love with the play and I knew I wanted to see it live. All the characters played their parts so well and they had such great chemistry with each other. I really loved how they kept the tradition of a man playing the female role as Edna Turnblad. The story has a really great message too. During the 60s there was so much segregation and racism. Tracy and her friends are pushing towards the future and trying to break the terrible cycle. She fights a lot of people on the way, but in the end, she gets the two things that she wants more than anything: to be a television star and to end the segregation on the television show. One single girl made a huge difference for a lot of people in her town, city, and country.
Relate Theater to Your Major
When asked to relate the art of theater to my major, I thought it was going to be very difficult to do. Throughout this semester, I learned that theater can be applied to really anything in our every day lives. Theater isn’t just about acting on a stage; it’s about so much more than that. Theater is about portraying a role and doing everything you can to do your best at it. Every occupation in life needs to be taken seriously. When a person enters the work force, they take on a role. This person should put his or her heart and soul into the job in order to do her best. This is simply why every student at Indiana University can use theater in their major.
Ever since I was in the 9th grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I love little kids; knowing that I can be an influence and a hero for them really warms my heart. In January, when this semester first started, my classmates and I were told that our theater class will help us with our future occupations. At first, I thought the idea was really stupid. I didn’t want to take the class in the first place, because I didn’t think I would need it in any way for my major. Basically, I thought the class was going to be a waste of time. During the first few weeks of the class, I thought I was right. Later, when we started getting out of the background of theater, and started to actually learn new things, the class proved me wrong, and I started to become a lot more interested and was happier to be there.
All majors need some kind of theater experience. Nurses and doctors need to be empathetic and be able to understand their patients on an emotional level. Writers need to know how to relate to their readers and stay on the same level with them. Some markers and publicist work with the theater department, so of course they are going to have to know a lot about theater. They have to make theater their life, because it is their job. I certainly learned that applying theater to your career will make you more successful, and will also make your job a lot easier.
I now realize what all theater can do for me, when I become a teacher. Dealing with small children is going to be a challenge for any new teacher at first. In order to be a really good elementary teacher, the adult has to think like a child. Children’s minds are undeveloped when they are a small age. If you can think like them and go down to their level, this will make your job so much easier. Also, a teacher has to learn how to be silly and let loose when they are in the classroom. I definitely learned this throughout the course of my theater class. Breaking down that wall of adulthood and becoming a kid again will make my job as a teacher so much easier. This will also create a better bond with me and my students as well. I feel this class really helped me. I know now that I need to relate to my students; this class definitely helped me on my path to teaching.
Ever since I was in the 9th grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I love little kids; knowing that I can be an influence and a hero for them really warms my heart. In January, when this semester first started, my classmates and I were told that our theater class will help us with our future occupations. At first, I thought the idea was really stupid. I didn’t want to take the class in the first place, because I didn’t think I would need it in any way for my major. Basically, I thought the class was going to be a waste of time. During the first few weeks of the class, I thought I was right. Later, when we started getting out of the background of theater, and started to actually learn new things, the class proved me wrong, and I started to become a lot more interested and was happier to be there.
All majors need some kind of theater experience. Nurses and doctors need to be empathetic and be able to understand their patients on an emotional level. Writers need to know how to relate to their readers and stay on the same level with them. Some markers and publicist work with the theater department, so of course they are going to have to know a lot about theater. They have to make theater their life, because it is their job. I certainly learned that applying theater to your career will make you more successful, and will also make your job a lot easier.
I now realize what all theater can do for me, when I become a teacher. Dealing with small children is going to be a challenge for any new teacher at first. In order to be a really good elementary teacher, the adult has to think like a child. Children’s minds are undeveloped when they are a small age. If you can think like them and go down to their level, this will make your job so much easier. Also, a teacher has to learn how to be silly and let loose when they are in the classroom. I definitely learned this throughout the course of my theater class. Breaking down that wall of adulthood and becoming a kid again will make my job as a teacher so much easier. This will also create a better bond with me and my students as well. I feel this class really helped me. I know now that I need to relate to my students; this class definitely helped me on my path to teaching.
Design A Costume
“Hairspray”
One of my favorite musicals is “Hairspray.” I love this musical because the story line and music is so great, but also I love the costumes. “Hairspray” takes place in the 1960s, which is the groovy and hippie era. Most of the lead characters are teenage kids, and their types of costumes vary. When the kids are in school, they are wearing plain clothes. The boys are wearing tight pants and sweaters, and the girls are wearing dresses. In the 1960s, females were not permitted to wear pants in school. Also, all of the women in the musical are wearing dresses. They are long, below the knee, and are very clean cut. The very last scene of the play is at the taping of the Corny Collins show. The main character, Tracy, comes out on the dance floor dressed in a vibrant dress. The theme of the dress code changes and every one that was wearing long, plain dresses, are now wearing short mini skirts and go-go boots. This is when the hippie era kicks in. the music is completely different and this is the one song with the most dancing. The song that they are singing and dancing to is “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” This is personally one of my favorites because it is the most entertaining to watch. The hair styles are big, and the ends are flipped under; the look is very prissy. The men’s hair is slicked back with a lot of gel and hairspray, the title of the show.
One of my favorite musicals is “Hairspray.” I love this musical because the story line and music is so great, but also I love the costumes. “Hairspray” takes place in the 1960s, which is the groovy and hippie era. Most of the lead characters are teenage kids, and their types of costumes vary. When the kids are in school, they are wearing plain clothes. The boys are wearing tight pants and sweaters, and the girls are wearing dresses. In the 1960s, females were not permitted to wear pants in school. Also, all of the women in the musical are wearing dresses. They are long, below the knee, and are very clean cut. The very last scene of the play is at the taping of the Corny Collins show. The main character, Tracy, comes out on the dance floor dressed in a vibrant dress. The theme of the dress code changes and every one that was wearing long, plain dresses, are now wearing short mini skirts and go-go boots. This is when the hippie era kicks in. the music is completely different and this is the one song with the most dancing. The song that they are singing and dancing to is “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” This is personally one of my favorites because it is the most entertaining to watch. The hair styles are big, and the ends are flipped under; the look is very prissy. The men’s hair is slicked back with a lot of gel and hairspray, the title of the show.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Write your own play.
This is a play about two sisters who have somehow fallen in love with the same boy. This happened because the boy, Dexter is an ass hole and a player. He tries to get with every girl he can. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He knows that he’s hurting these two girls, but he’s enjoying it. In the end, the two sisters, Macy and Kaylen realize that blood is thicker than water. They put aside their differences and seek revenge on the jerk that almost tore them apart.
Scene 1: Via Text Messages:
Dexter- Hey cutie ;)
Macy- Hey what’s up???
Dexter- Nothing gorgeous, so what are your plans for Friday night?
Macy- Um, nothing I think. Why, what’s up?
Dexter- We should hang out :)
Macy- Really? Okay!
Dexter- What do you want to do?
Macy- I don’t care, what do you want to do?
Dexter- We’ll do anything you want to do Hun, how bout a romantic dinner?
Macy- That sounds wonderful. I’m really excited!
Dexter- Me too, Mace. I really want to get to know you better because I really like you.
Macy- I like you too. :)
Dexter- Well I’ll call you sometime tomorrow so we can figure out plans.
Macy- Can’t wait!
Kaylen- Dex, what are you doing on Friday? We should do something together!
Dexter- Umm… Sorry I cant, I have to go somewhere with my mom. I really wish I could though, what about Saturday? I’m free, and I really want to see you!
Kaylen- Awh that’s so cute that you’re hanging out with your mom! Yeah, we should definitely get together sometime this weekend because I miss you!
Dexter- For sure. I’ll call you later this week so we can set something up and Ill meet you where ever we’re going.
Kaylen- Okay sounds good. I can’t wait.
Dexter- Me either. I want to get to know you better because I really like you.
Kaylen- You’re adorable. Talk to you soon!
Scene 2: Kaylen’s bedroom
Macy- Oh my God! Oh my God! Guess what! Guess what!
Kaylen- What, loser?
Macy- Okay. Rude.
Kaylen- Ha ha ha sorry. What do you want?
Macy- Guess who has a date on Friday?
Kaylen- Who?
Macy- Me, idiot!
Kaylen- Whoa, seriously?
Macy- Why are you such a mean sister?
Kaylen- I’m not mean, I’m a realistic!
Macy- Haha very funny…
Kaylen- I know, right?
Macy- Are you going to ask me about my date or not, Kaylen?
Kaylen- Okay okay, Mace, tell me all about your date plans for Friday and Ill tell you about my date plans for Saturday!
Macy- What! You have a date too?
Kaylen- Yes! You’ve been talking so much about your self; you didn’t give me a chance to tell you about my news too.
Macy- Oh this is so exciting! Who’s the lucky guy?
Kaylen- Dexter!
Macy- What did you just say?
Kaylen- Dexter. We’re going out on Saturday night, probably to the movies.
Macy- I can’t believe this! I can’t believe you would do this to me!
Kaylen- Macy, what are you talking about?
Macy- I hate you, you stupid bitch!
Kaylen- What the hell? Why are you crying?
Macy- Dexter texted me today and asked me to go out with him on Friday!
Kaylen- Umm… no he did not.
Macy- Yes he did.
Kaylen- Oh my God. I can’t believe what a jerk he is. I can’t believe he’s trying to play us like this.
Macy- Well we’re certainly not going to let him make us look like fools.
Kaylen- For sure. We’re sisters; he’s not going to tear us apart.
Scene 3: Kaylen and Macy’s living room, waiting for Dexter to pick up Macy for their date.
Macy- Okay, so it’s almost seven, he should be here any second. You know what to do right?
Kaylen- Yes Macy, we’ve been over the plan like ten times now.
Macy- Okay, I was just making sure!
Kaylen- Oh my God, he’s here!
Dexter walks up to the door and rings the doorbell. Kaylen answers the door.
Kaylen- Well hello Dexter! Come on in! I thought we were going out tomorrow? How’s your mom?
Dexter- She’s great….
Kaylen- So does this mean you want to hang out tonight?
Dexter- Ummm…
Kaylen- Oh wait… Don’t you have a date with my sister tonight? You asshole.
Macy- Hi Dexter, it’s so nice to see you. I’m ready for our date.
Dexter- Macy, you said your sister wasn’t going to be home/
Macy- How does it feel to be lied to, jerk?
Kaylen- Did you really think you were going to try to play both of us? Did you really think you were going to get away with this lie?
Dexter- I don’t know. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.
Macy- Well guess what, you did.
Kaylen- Please get the hell out of our house. And don’t think that everyone isn’t going to know about this. Once everyone finds out what a skeeze you are, there’s not going to be any girl who wants to go out with you. Ever.
Macy- The worst part is you tried to get between me and my sister.
Dexter- I’m sorry. Ill see myself out. Good bye.
Dexter exits the stage.
Macy- Can you believe him?
Kaylen- No. I really can’t.
Macy- Kay, I’m so sorry about everything that happened this week.
Kaylen- It’s okay. We’re sisters. We fight, but then we get through it.
Macy- Awh! Sisters and best friends!
Kaylen- Okay, now you’re being an idiot again.
Macy- You love me!
Kaylen- I know I do. Let’s go on a date with each other tonight since we obviously don’t have any plans.
Macy- I’ll get our coats.
Scene 1: Via Text Messages:
Dexter- Hey cutie ;)
Macy- Hey what’s up???
Dexter- Nothing gorgeous, so what are your plans for Friday night?
Macy- Um, nothing I think. Why, what’s up?
Dexter- We should hang out :)
Macy- Really? Okay!
Dexter- What do you want to do?
Macy- I don’t care, what do you want to do?
Dexter- We’ll do anything you want to do Hun, how bout a romantic dinner?
Macy- That sounds wonderful. I’m really excited!
Dexter- Me too, Mace. I really want to get to know you better because I really like you.
Macy- I like you too. :)
Dexter- Well I’ll call you sometime tomorrow so we can figure out plans.
Macy- Can’t wait!
Kaylen- Dex, what are you doing on Friday? We should do something together!
Dexter- Umm… Sorry I cant, I have to go somewhere with my mom. I really wish I could though, what about Saturday? I’m free, and I really want to see you!
Kaylen- Awh that’s so cute that you’re hanging out with your mom! Yeah, we should definitely get together sometime this weekend because I miss you!
Dexter- For sure. I’ll call you later this week so we can set something up and Ill meet you where ever we’re going.
Kaylen- Okay sounds good. I can’t wait.
Dexter- Me either. I want to get to know you better because I really like you.
Kaylen- You’re adorable. Talk to you soon!
Scene 2: Kaylen’s bedroom
Macy- Oh my God! Oh my God! Guess what! Guess what!
Kaylen- What, loser?
Macy- Okay. Rude.
Kaylen- Ha ha ha sorry. What do you want?
Macy- Guess who has a date on Friday?
Kaylen- Who?
Macy- Me, idiot!
Kaylen- Whoa, seriously?
Macy- Why are you such a mean sister?
Kaylen- I’m not mean, I’m a realistic!
Macy- Haha very funny…
Kaylen- I know, right?
Macy- Are you going to ask me about my date or not, Kaylen?
Kaylen- Okay okay, Mace, tell me all about your date plans for Friday and Ill tell you about my date plans for Saturday!
Macy- What! You have a date too?
Kaylen- Yes! You’ve been talking so much about your self; you didn’t give me a chance to tell you about my news too.
Macy- Oh this is so exciting! Who’s the lucky guy?
Kaylen- Dexter!
Macy- What did you just say?
Kaylen- Dexter. We’re going out on Saturday night, probably to the movies.
Macy- I can’t believe this! I can’t believe you would do this to me!
Kaylen- Macy, what are you talking about?
Macy- I hate you, you stupid bitch!
Kaylen- What the hell? Why are you crying?
Macy- Dexter texted me today and asked me to go out with him on Friday!
Kaylen- Umm… no he did not.
Macy- Yes he did.
Kaylen- Oh my God. I can’t believe what a jerk he is. I can’t believe he’s trying to play us like this.
Macy- Well we’re certainly not going to let him make us look like fools.
Kaylen- For sure. We’re sisters; he’s not going to tear us apart.
Scene 3: Kaylen and Macy’s living room, waiting for Dexter to pick up Macy for their date.
Macy- Okay, so it’s almost seven, he should be here any second. You know what to do right?
Kaylen- Yes Macy, we’ve been over the plan like ten times now.
Macy- Okay, I was just making sure!
Kaylen- Oh my God, he’s here!
Dexter walks up to the door and rings the doorbell. Kaylen answers the door.
Kaylen- Well hello Dexter! Come on in! I thought we were going out tomorrow? How’s your mom?
Dexter- She’s great….
Kaylen- So does this mean you want to hang out tonight?
Dexter- Ummm…
Kaylen- Oh wait… Don’t you have a date with my sister tonight? You asshole.
Macy- Hi Dexter, it’s so nice to see you. I’m ready for our date.
Dexter- Macy, you said your sister wasn’t going to be home/
Macy- How does it feel to be lied to, jerk?
Kaylen- Did you really think you were going to try to play both of us? Did you really think you were going to get away with this lie?
Dexter- I don’t know. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.
Macy- Well guess what, you did.
Kaylen- Please get the hell out of our house. And don’t think that everyone isn’t going to know about this. Once everyone finds out what a skeeze you are, there’s not going to be any girl who wants to go out with you. Ever.
Macy- The worst part is you tried to get between me and my sister.
Dexter- I’m sorry. Ill see myself out. Good bye.
Dexter exits the stage.
Macy- Can you believe him?
Kaylen- No. I really can’t.
Macy- Kay, I’m so sorry about everything that happened this week.
Kaylen- It’s okay. We’re sisters. We fight, but then we get through it.
Macy- Awh! Sisters and best friends!
Kaylen- Okay, now you’re being an idiot again.
Macy- You love me!
Kaylen- I know I do. Let’s go on a date with each other tonight since we obviously don’t have any plans.
Macy- I’ll get our coats.
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