Yesterday Jorne got off to a great basic start on what he as an audience member sees as important to a musical. I'd like to expand on that a little, doing my best to speak from a slightly objectively of view; to speak with the voice of the many audiences I've observed, sat with, and performed for in all my time spent with the stage, reason being, I know that I'm a bit more particular and nit pick-y than your average theatre goer. I'm following Jorne's format and expanding so read his first. Now, first thing's first:
MUSIC and SCRIPT- in other words material. Of course the material is important but what's even more important is the heart. As I manage to say in one way or another in almost every post, the point of theatre is to feel. We come watch a show to see a story and escape into it; to relate to characters and come to love them; to learn, to be enlightened through human emotion, through heart and soul. So if a story speaks to you but it isn't that well written, that's ok. The heart of it is bound to speak to someone else too. The exact material is not the end all be all, but only if the talent is so phenomenal that what lacks is able to be overcome through the ability of the actors to tell the story. The majority of an audience won't be so quick to notice a too repetitive melody if the voice is like butter and the eyes are deep but bright; they won't notice an unnatural line if it's delivered with natural attitude and purpose. Make sense?
ACTORS- things an average audience notices without noticing are often the most important. #1 chemistry. A show can have brilliant actors but if they don't melt together they'll never create a brilliant show. Chemistry is important. #2 clarity. If the audience can't understand everything that's being said/sung their mind is busy filling in the blanks themselves... never good. #3 vulnerability. In order for an actor to not only become a character, but become one one who lets the audience be a part of his life, one must be open, one must bare himself. Even if he is playing a thick skinned, guarded character, he cannot become him without first baring himself. The smallest reticence will show under the lights.
PIT- Our choir director taught us exactly what it meant to accompany a singer/singers. She also spoiled us. I have now worked with and listened to far too many musicians, ranging from one accompanist to a full orchestra who play to their own rhythm. An orchestra and a cast must work together. When both are running like machines turned on at the same time, it is just not the same as performing as one. No one should ever be operating like a machine. If an audience wanted to hear a machine they would play a CD, not pay to hear it live.
COSTUMES- As jorne said, color is important. Color scheme is what lies behind that. As a costume designer that is the very first thing most of us do: decide on a color scheme. It must convey the emotion and set the tone of the show, as a whole and then scene by scene. Exact accuracy in period is not as important as the way the entire stage looks as a whole. Pay attention to certain stereotypes and exaggerate certain things and the audience will not know the difference. Even if they do, they would rather look at a beautiful picture than an accurate picture. To achieve this the actors must look good in their costumes. They need to fit. Well. Accentuate good attributes. And finishing is vital. Trims, buttons, hair, shoes, all the little details play a large role in the final picture.
MOVEMENT- Jorne didn't get to this yesterday but I'll just touch on it anyway. Movement, meaning everything from blocking to full out company dance numbers, well naturally moves the show along. A director/ choreographer must be careful to place actors so that no matter where you sit, throughout the show you'll get to know everyone. Dancing keeps a show alive, it must enhance and build emotion, it must keep the audience interested and fascinated and help tell the story; help better acquaint us with the characters. If it doesn't do all of this they shouldn't be dancing at all. End of story.
All right so I could continue... and I will eventually... but not tonight. Tonight remember some good and bad shows you've seen and try to pinpoint what made them so. See if anything Jorne or I said contributed. And next time you see a musical, watch it with all of this in mind. Figure out what's most important to you when watching a show, believe it or not that will reveal just a little more about yourself to yourself.
Goodnight, Loves!
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