Five Plays That Could Be Incredible Musicals
I've always rejected the notion that musicals are somehow "dumb versions of plays". I've heard this more than once. But what many people might not know, is that their favorite musicals were actually based on plays.
For instance, "Oklahoma!" was based on a play titled "Green Grow the Lilacs". "Cabaret" is actually based on the play "I Am a Camera".
So I started to wonder what more recent plays could become incredible musical adaptations. Here are some of them, along with composers who might be perfect for the job.
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Tech Week: "This Better be a Cute Baby... "
Last night at about 3:00AM, my director stood before me, her hair in a messy ponytail, bags under her eyes, her paint clothes splattered with all kinds of interesting colors, and she said, “Sometimes directing is like having a baby. You’re in the worst pain of your life. You want nothing more than for it to be over and for to have never conceived at all. All you can think of is the stress and the pain that your body is going through. But then, you’re holding your baby in your arms, and she’s so beautiful that you cry.”
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An Open Letter to the Dance Teacher that Changed my Life
Thank you.
I know we met a little later than most, but it feels like it's been a lifetime. There are never going to be enough words to express how thankful I am for everything you've done, though I sure can try. Thank you for the countless hours you've spent working with me. Thank you for providing me with all the tough love I could ever ask for. Thank you inspiring, helping, and motivating me to achieve things I never thought possible. Thank you for providing me with a home away from home.
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It's Okay, I'm Not a Fan of The Sound of Music Either
Why do we perpetuate this idea that some things never grow old? Everything does, including musicals. You might still enjoy them (maybe even because they make you feel nostalgic), but don't expect everybody to. We've seen a whole new generation of musicals since the creation of shows like The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Oliver, My Fair Lady... And liking musicals doesn't mean that you like every musical ever written.
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You Don't Need a College Degree to Perform on Broadway.
I usually like to joke and say that the Tony Awards feels like the theatre industry's homecoming game between Carnegie Mellon and the University of Michigan. But it's also hard to ignore the amount of colleges that are mentioned in acceptance speeches.
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If You Need an Earpiece, You Don't Belong on Stage
Should actors be forced to accept the reality that special treatment will inevitably be given to people with less experience in theatre because of their careers working in another industry, while actors with far more experience on stage will continue to be expected to be off-book and without an earpiece? For that matter, should theatergoers be willing to accept shows that cater to this sort of laziness among actors who only get Broadway roles despite their lack of ability as a stage performer?
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Broadway Bound Theatre Festival Steps into the Spotlight
There’s a new theatre festival in town. Broadway Bound Theatre Festival BBTF) is making its inaugural debut, featuring works by playwrights from around the country.
Starting July 30th and running through August 20th, BBTF is giving audiences a New York theatre experience at an affordable price, while providing playwrights with the tools they need to get their shows off the ground. I got the chance to interview four playwrights whose plays are in this festival: Riley Thomas, author of Convicted, Sherod D. Lee, author of 2 Years of Eternal Joy, Juan Ramirez Jr., author of The American Dream and Lina Sarrello, author of Out There
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Hell is a Standup Comedy Open Mic
But like a pyrophiliac soaking in the firey pits, it’s the blistering pain we beg for.
For the last few months, I’ve been hosting an open mic. Well, technically it’s not an open mic -- it’s a booked show. But, as I’m constantly reminded, it’s so poorly produced that it could easily be mistaken for an open mic. So, I win.
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The Most Terrifying Gender Gap in Theatre
There has often been a lot of talk about the need for more gender equality in society, especially over the past decade or so, and I think it’s fair to say that – while there is still a lot more work to do – there has been plenty of progress that has been made over the years. This includes in the theatre industry, which has often been ahead of its time on a variety of issues related to social equality. However, there is one glaring aspect of the industry where it would seem that gender equality is lacking, in a way that might not be the case for other occupations related to theatre. It is true that more can be done, overall, but this is an area where further progress is especially needed.
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Theaters Need to Stop Racially Segregating Their Season
I love it when a local theater company wants to encourage diversity and inclusion with their season. The desire to tell different stories with an array of different types of people is something that should be applauded always. If your theater is doing this with their current or next season, congrats.
However, I also feel that the commitment to diversity should be extended to every show in your season and not stop with the one that would require roles of color.
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