Preview for the 2014-2015 Broadway Season (Musical Edition)

There’s nothing like the anticipation of a new show coming to Broadway!! And already it looks like we’re getting some pretty great ones! In this blog I will be going through the musicals that are set to come to Broadway! Just to be clear, some of these shows do not have a set theatre and are only eyeing a 2014-2015 opening. I will make this clear in the synopsis below the shows. These are only shows who I believe will make it in time for a 2014-2015 release. Also, when I say when a show “opens”, I mean they start previews on that date.

Original Productions:

Finding Neverland

The musical that is based on the film which is based on the author of Peter Pan’s life. Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde) plays Barrie, a struggling playwright who creates a special bond with a family when one of his plays flops. The original production opened to mixed reviews in England and since then, the entire creative team has been replaced with Diane Paulus (Pippin, 2013) directing and featuring James Graham, the author of the book and the composers Gary Barlow and Elliot Kennedy. Right now, it’s playing at American Repertory Theatre and it has just been announced that it will make the transfer in the spring. This is a show to watch for, expect great things to come to this one. If you’re interested and want to listen more, look up Jennifer Hudson singing one of the songs in last year’s Tony awards on YouTube.

The Last Ship

The story about a young man who travels and returns home to find his love engaged to another man. With music written by Sting and the book written by Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal) and John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall), this musical opened to pretty decent reviews in its Chicago tryout, which had critics praising the score and the cast, but had some faults with the plot. The show will open on Broadway September 29 at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Honeymoon in Vegas

This new musical with music written by Jason Robert Brown (Last 5 Years, Bridges of Madison County) and a book written by Andrew Bergman, who wrote the screenplay of the movie of the same, tells the story of a man named Jack who is afraid of commitment with his girlfriend, Betsy, and a man who falls in love with Betsy! This show is set to open in November at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway after a try out at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Definitely expect a Tony nom for JRB for this one.

Fun Home

Just recently announced, this musical just closed off-Broadway and I’m so excited that it’s making the transfer. The musical is based on the graphic novel of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel which in turn is based on Alison’s relationship with her father as she comes out as a lesbian and their struggles with sexuality together. With a powerful book and lyrics by Lisa Kron and a fantastic score written by Jeanine Tesori, this musical was nominated for several awards, including the Pulitzer Prize. This show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 4, right before Tony deadlines. Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s what the Pippin revival did. Look where it got now. Smart move, Fun Home.

Not many original works have been announced. Sad. Because there’s a massive amount of revivals heading our way. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Revivals:

On the Town

The classic story that spawned the fantastic Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra movie returns to Broadway this fall in October at the Lyric Theatre. Hopefully this will prove to be a great revival and not just a rehash. Directed by John Rando.

An American in Paris

Hey look, another classic Gene Kelly movie-musical. Wonderful. Already it seems like the revival category might be overcrowded by Golden Age musicals. Although the cast has been announced and an opening set for March 2015, no theatre has been set. Directed by Christopher Wheeldon.

The King and I

Now this, I am looking forward to. Kelli O’Hara (Bridges of Madison County) and Ken Watanabe (Inception) lead this production with Tony award winning director Bartlett Sher taking the helm. Expect definite Tony noms for this one. Opens March 12 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

On The Twentieth Century

Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked) and Peter Gallagher (Guys and Dolls) return to Broadway! Directed by Scott Ellis, the story of a Broadway producer trying to convince a former love to return to his life while on board a luxury train comes back onto the stage! Will open February 12 at the American Airlines Theatre.

Side Show

This new reimagining of one of my favorite shows is coming to Broadway! The original musical featured Alice Ripley and Norm Lewis, and while it was nominated for Tony awards, did not receive that much acclaim but this new reimagining is apparently fantastic! Featuring a reimagined new score as well, this darker take on the story will certainly be in the running for Tonys. This revival will open October 28 at the St. James theatre and is directed by Bill Condon.

Sorry for it being this late, but this took a while! Have any comments on my picks? Have any questions about any other planned shows? Comment below!

Andrew

Stage Makeup for Everyone

Wearing stage makeup is not about unattractiveness or flaws, it's about being able to be seen on stage.  Naturally, the face gets washed out by stage lights and distance from the stage to the audience, so stage makeup is helpful to looks more defined. Both men and women should use stage makeup, and even if you don't wear makeup regulary, it wouldn't hurt to stop by a drugstore, Sephora,
Ulta, or anywhere else near you that sells makeup to pick up a few nesecities.

Remember that every theater is different and requirements for makeup vary.  Some more difficult makeup such as age makeup, scars, dirt, and other techniques may be done by someone for you, or you have to do them yourself.

Moisturizing skin is vital to both healthy skin and long lasting makeup. Depending on your skin type, you can get many types of moisturizers and lotions. These should be applied before makeup and should have time to set.

A good makeup primer is helpful if you tend to have oily skin, especially under hot lights. If you tend to have drier skin, you might be able to get away with skipping this step.

Foundation should be next, and about 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply this all of the face, ears, neck, and possibly to the top of your chest. Remember to blend evenly so no lines or steaks are shown.

I recommend two different concealers. One should match your foundation color for blemishes, dark spots, or scars on your face. This can also be used to hide an visible tattoos on your body. The other concealer should be a shade or 2 lighter for under your eyes. Apply this in a V shape underneath to highlight more naturally.

Set your foundation and concealer with a powder. Match the color to your face and apply anywhere you applied makeup.

An important step that if often overlooked is eyebrows. Simply filling them in can open up the face. You can get eyebrow pencils, gels, or waxes, but the simist way is just to use an eyeshadow that matches your eyebrow color and an angled makeup brush.

Eyeshadows, unless specificied by the script, director, or anyone in charge if makeup, should be kept naturall. Whites, tans,  creams,  bieges, browns, and blacks are best. A beige or tan on the lid and then brown in the crease  is the most basic look you can create. White under the brow and in the  inner corner highlights the eye.

To contour the face, use a bronzer. This can be put around the face and under the cheeks bones to slim the face. Highlighter can be put the the center of the face, as in the forehead, nose, and chin. It can also be applied above the cheek bones. Blush should be put one the cheeks. As for colors, choose ones best for your skin tone.

Eyeliner is very important for bring out the eyes. It can be applied all along the top lash line and half way on the bottom, to keep the eyes open. The best color for women is black, and men as best suited in brown.

Mascara is basic and should match the eyeliner used. Apply simply to the top and bottom lashes.

An extra step at the end is a setting spray. This can refresh the makeup and  make it last longer.

Makeup varies from high end to drugstore to cheap cheap cheap. Quality all depends on how much you're willingly to pay. Always remember to make sure you know exactly want your director wants you to look like and if you have an problems, YouTube has a multitude of videos to learn how to create costume makeup.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Best of luck!
Kendall

How to Grow Your Theatrical Knowledge and Your Auditon Book (Without Really Trying)

Sorry I couldn't resist with the title. Today was a crazy day so this will be a short post but hopefully it will still be beneficial!

We could all expand our knowledge when it comes to theatre. The question is: how do we go about doing that? Seeing Broadway shows is crazy expensive and also we don't want to leave to comfort of our beds (well that's me at least). So what do we do? Let me tell ya:

1)  WHAT'S ON BROADWAY NOW?

Look at what's on Broadway right now. That's a great place to start, and from there, look at youtube clips and maybe you can find a bootleg! Bootlegs are the best, but of course, illegal. Beneficial for us fans, but it really sucks if it's your show.

Next, look at the stars. See some familiar faces? Research what they've done! Revivals are some of the best way to look at new stars in old shows!

2)  WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?

Sometimes I feel some thespians look over the classics. NO. Those are the best! Definitely look at old musical movies. Gene Kelley, Fred Astaire, and Bing Crosby are some of my idols and they have really impacted the theatrical world today. Definitely look into them.

3)  ASK!

I have learned that not everyone is at the same place when it comes to theatre. I think of myself as pretty knowledgeable when it comes to shows, so I sometimes can be rude when a theatre kid says, "what's les mis about?". This actually happened and I wish I could've changed my response. So please: feel free to ask questions. I know I would be glad to help and so would anyone part of Actor Problems. Ask away! Ask for scripts, sheet music, old high school recordings, whatever! Help one another!

If you have any other ideas, again, feel free to commet below. And if you have any questions for me, either comment below or find me on twitter y'all! My twitter name will be below! Happy Researching!

Andrew
Andrew's Twitter: @theatreginger

A Guide to Your Shoes

You have to wear shoes, thats a given. There aren't many shows you can be barefoot. And it's never exactly safe to be barefoot on stage. Or backstage. Or in a theater. So here's a quick guide to the many shoe options.
Reminder, always check in with your director and costume department for the required shoes. This is just to show the options.


WOMENS CHARACTER SHOES
These are the basic of the basic when it comes to shoes. They come in many colors, but te most common are usually black or tan. They vary in heel height, so always double check before purchasing. All in all, if you get good quality ones, they can last somewhere between 3-6 shows, depending on the severity of dance numbers and performing. Character shoes can also vary in styles, from the simple Mary Jane to te classic T-strap to the sultry open toe or open shank shoe.

MENS CHARACTER SHOES
Men's shoes are typically professional looking, often described as 'Oxford' styled. They come with a short heel and tie up. Similarly, character shoes can also include a tap on the ball and heel for specific shoes. Some may also include a rubber padding behind the ball tap to insure a sturdy footing and grip.

JAZZ SHOES
Jazz shoes are very flexible shoes that can be slip-on or tied up, depending on style. Usually, these shoes are best to be worn during choreography before wearing the actual shoe that will be used on stage. These are the best bet when it come to a rehearsal shoe that is durable and easy.

DANCE BOOTS
For a more traditional show, the shoe may have to be taller. Lace up Dane boots are similar to men's character shoes, but with a taller heel for ladies, and usually come up to the calf.

SNEAKERS
The best place to find sneakers in a theater is when the show is high performance, with lots of running around. Eventually, an actual stage shoe will take the place of the sneaker.

TECH SHOES
All black is the most common rule for a techies shoe, and should always be a sneaker. Depending in the theatre, people who move set pieces might have a costume that goes with the show, so more of a character shoe is needed.

DESIGNER BRAND
More recently, brand shoes such as Converse, Keds, or TOMs have come quite popular for stage shoes. These shoes are best for children's shows, or more current shoes, for the modern day person. This comes down to the directors vision and interpretation of the show.

Just to stress it again, always always check and double check to make your shoe is correct for the show. Even the color or heel height can make a big differnece to the appearance on stage.

As always, leave comments below and make sure to look at all the other posts!

Spotlight: Jekyll & Hyde

This has always been an interesting show for me. Not a very well-known show, due to some mixed reviews by audiences and critics alike, this has become an obsession of mine recently so I decided to research this show a little more.

The plot is based off the original novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, but with some slight moderation. Love interests are given to the character of Jekyll to add more depth and character arc. Also, Jekyll is under pressure from the board of governors as they will not allow him to continue on with his experiments as he tries to experiment on the human mind. This show has some great songs, such as “This is The Moment”, “Someone Like You”, and “Murder, Murder”. Although the plot is somewhat lacking, and only some productions do the show justice, I had the privilege of seeing a really phenomenal production of Jekyll. And what was great about it, was it was not like any other production I have seen.

 

The composers Wildhorn and Cuden had drawn up the score in 1980, but released a concept album in 1986 featuring Colm Wilkinson (the original Jean Valjean from Les Miserables). Then a tour was sparked in 1990 where it received critical acclaim before finally coming to Broadway in 1997. But the production did not receive as much praise as the tour had, and it lost money in revenues. The show did run for over 1,500 performances and it quickly became a cult favorite. There is a recording of the final cast that includes David Hasselhoff as Jekyll and Colleen Sexton as Lucy. If y’all are interested in watching, the link to it can be found on the bottom of this article. Just be aware: it’s David Hasselhoff. Don’t expect high quality. There was also a 2012 tour that led into a Broadway revival with Constantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox, with new orchestrations to give it a heavy rock feel. But this epically flopped, and it closed after 29 performances.

Heehee. Derpin' Hasselhoff. 

I had seen this before and I thought the show was alright. The music was good, and I liked the themes and the characters. I just wish it could’ve been better. Then last Saturday, I saw Casa Manana’s production of Jekyll in Fort Worth, Texas as part of their Apprentice Program. All I could say was, wow. I was amazed by the set, the lights, and the actors! All of these things topped the Broadway production for me. What did they do different, you may ask? Well let me tell you. It’s a simple rule that all theaters must try to follow, no matter what they do. 

THEY TOOK RISKS.

The set was very minimal, with just paneling and scaffolding. The lights did most of the work and told most of the story. Sounds great right? But get this: the feel of the show? Punk rock. The orchestrations were only about 8 people, but the music had a very heavy, yet light rock feel. The costumes were what did it for me. The upper-class characters were dressed as Gothic characters while lower class were punks. The whole show worked with these themes! The show can easily have an edgy rock feel but you just don’t want to overpower the show with rock. Vocally, everything was the same if not a little more “popier” but I was fine with that! I didn’t want to see a classic Jekyll with Victorian style set and clothes! They did something different, and most theatres are scared of interpretation. As long as you do the true story justice, interpretation can be great! Don’t be afraid to put new ideas out there!

Link to Derp Hasselhoff Jekyll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQKsUolXGU

Link to Constantine singing This is The Moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuMgllxdNh8

Link to Casa Manana Behind the Scenes Video of Jekyll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFWoOM-I6Xw

Hopefully, with these Spotlight articles we will help introduce people to new shows and help broaden their theatrical knowledge. Any questions or comments, feel free to let us know below or on twitter! 

Andrew

The Importance of Audience Etiquette

Everyone at some point will end up in the audience seats, whether it's the front row of the balcony, the last row of the orchestra, or that one seat that squeaks so loud you can hear it over just about everything. Every theater has that one seat.

Every performer has great gratitude towards their audience, as they are the reason actors are able to do what they love, and the audience should hold great respect to the performers. Here are just a few tips for when you happen to be the an audience member:

1. SHHHH PLEASE
This is basic knowledge, but maybe the most forgotten pieces of information. Excessive talking is distracting to surrounding people, so if you must talk, whisper. It should also be noted that constantly shushing someone is just as distracting.

2. SIT STRAIGHT
A theater's seats are designed so that everyone has a space that they can view the stage clearly from. If you're slouching or leaning to one side of your seat, you are probably blocking someone's view of the stage.

3. UNPLUG
Everyone can see your phone light. Oh, you turned it down? We can still see it. Put it away.

4. EAT UP
Many theaters allow food and drinks to be brought into the auditorium, but use this privilege cautiously. Open bottles and packaging before the show starts or before intermission ends. Avoid the dreaded crunching bag or munching away loudly. And if something drops or spills, please clean it up. The staff and crew will thank you.

5. COOTIE QUEEN
If you happen to have a case of the sniffles, but you just HAVE to see Book of Mormon, then make sure you stock up on tissues and cough drops and anything else you'll need. You're in a closed in space with many people, and two hours is enough for anyone around you to catch what you have too.

6. THE ESSENTIALS
All you really need to go see a show is your ticket, but usually people bring a little more. Make sure everything you have can be easily stored under your sets or is comfortable in your lap. Remember that people will be getting up and coming back from their seats, so make sure you have room to shift and move for them to get around you.

7. STUDY UP
Know if the show you're seeing has audience participation. It's always more fun when the audience knows when and what to say if asked, or if they are allowed to get up and dance along. *cough* Rocky Horror *cough*

8. CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN
Not everyone going to a show as a child with them, but it is bound to happen. Know if the show is child appropriate, and make sure your child understands what they are about to do. Kids can get bored, so make sure they don't start talking or getting out of their sets. If you kid starts throwing a tantrum, please take your kid away. It's the most respectful thing to do instead of allowing them to cry.

9. BE PREPARED
Arrive early and use the restroom, talk to friends, buy merchandise , etc, before finding your seat. This allows for less disruptions during the show and makes leaving the show easier.

10. MEET AND GREET
After the show, some actors may come out to meet the audience and sign autographs. Just to be sure, bring your pen, as the actors might just be leaving from the stage. Also be aware that other people might want to talk to Townsperson #3, so don't take all their time telling them about how your grandchildren will be on Broadway one day.

11. BE COOLLY COOL
Theatre is supposed to be fun and entertaining, so don't be annoyed or upset for the show; it kills the joy for everyone. If others are giving a standing ovation, you should too. If others are clapping and laughing, allow yourself to do it too. Theatre is an escape from reality, so envelope yourself in the story.
On a personal note, I was once in a show where, on opening night, a family of four sat in the very front row. The son was on his phone the whole time and they never clapped, laughed, or smiled. At all. They didn't even stand or clap at the very end. And they were fat. After the show in the lobby, some of the cast stood by the door to wish them off, and they ignored all of them and left quickly. They are now know at The Judgmental Fat Family in the Front Row. Don't be TJFFitFR.

Leave any comments or other tips you may have below, as well as finding us on Twitter.

Kendall

PS: Have a great National Dance Day! Use this time to reminisce on old shows and choreography, both the good and bad!

What to Do and What NOT to Do in an Audition

I trust that most of you who read this blog know what to do when preparing for an audition, and if not, then you’ve come to the right place! Auditions are one of the scariest parts of the show process since it’s the first impression! You want to be in this show so freakin’ badly, so this is your time to show it! So let’s go through some helpful steps of what to do! 

1.  PLAN AHEAD

When you schedule your audition, which should be weeks ahead by the way, everything revolves around that then. Nothing can come into conflict. Make sure you enough time to get there, warm up, sign in, or do whatever. Also, this gives you enough time to reschedule if you do have a conflict. Know what you are doing beforehand, whether it be your monologue or your songs. And always, ALWAYS, have back-ups. Sometimes directors will be so impressed that they may want more! So impress them more by having other songs in your book (subnote: try to diversify your song book as much as possible. Ballads, up-tempos, modern, classic, rock, disco, whatever. We can talk about how you can research all this later). 

2.       2. PICKING A SONG

The last thing a director wants to hear is Popular for the 568^th freakin’ time. Mix it up. By singing something different draws a director in, gets him interested. But make sure you follow the sing requirements. If they call for 16 bars, get as close to that as you can. If they only call for a rock song, then you have to stick to that. An audition is not the time to experiment. You have to pick something that you’re comfortable with and you know you can rock. This is why you have to plan out all this stuff ahead of time. Give yourself time to find an appropriate song so that you can get the feel of it and so that you can be confident with it. Which brings me to my next point…

3.       3. CONFIDENCE

Guys, I cannot stress this enough. You can do all of these things above, and still suck at the audition if you do not have confidence. The director wants someone who’s brave to jump in and do whatever it takes. I mean, that’s what we do! This is our passion! So for the love of everything musical related, show it! Own that audition space! Be polite, be professional, and show them what you can do. Always walk in with a smile. Don’t overdo it though.

This is wrong.

   

This is right. Perfection. In fact, if you look anything like this man, props to you. Standing ovation. Anyways, moving on! 

The moment you walk in is when the audition starts. One of my friends is working with casting directors in New York and she already knows who they want based on how they walk into an audition. Say hello! Be friendly, but also get ready for anything. Sometimes they’ll be nice and ask how you’re doing and other times it’ll just be a cattle call and they’ll want you in and out under 3 minutes. Stand out! Make sure you have bright clothing, like a royal blue shirt. Never wear black, and try to blend in. SHINE. Make them remember you. Also, never apologize for anything. If you make a mistake, forget it. Move on. Never start over a song, barrel through and act like nothing happened. Actors have to be able to deal with problems easily, so show them that little ones don’t bother you, like forgetting a lyric in your song! Don’t let it bother you! 

Lastly, don’t let messing up an audition or not getting a part get you down. There will always be other shows, other chances. So don’t worry about it! Now go rock that audition! 

For any questions or input about this article, feel free to comment below or message me on twitter!