2.
"Jakub Balaban, photo: Jezek & Cizek theatre"
http://www.worldpress.org/feed.cfm?http://www.radio.cz/en/article/94499
http://www.worldpress.org/feed.cfm?http://www.radio.cz/en/article/94499
3. This particular production of Faust struck me as unconventional in a number of ways. Firstly the actors in the company are comprised of professional actors along side individuals who are currently or have formerly been living on the streets. However, this is not some kind of non-profit outreach program funded by the government, but simply artists focused on bringing together different worlds for the sake of theatre. Secondly the group wrote their own script for the legend of Faust, tapping into their earliest memories of hearing the story to guide their specific scripting. The play was performed in a park, outside at night (it began at 9 P.M.!)with various media including video-clips, projections and a live indie-rock band.
1.Fuerza Bruta; Opened August 2, 2007 and is presently still running at the Daryl Roth Theatre; Creator: Diqui James, Composer: Gaby Kerpel, Producer: David Binder
2.
"Audience members get up close to the Mylar pool that descends from above during “Fuerzabruta,” a new show by the creators of “De La Guarda.”
3. From the descriptions I read and video clips I watched this theatrical event falls into the category of dance theatre. Personally the idea of "dance theatre" is, in itself an unconventional idea of what theatre is. "Fuerzabruta" (translation: Brute Force) is performed not in a traditional theatre, but in more of a big open room with no seats. The performers and technicians interact with the audience freely encouraging them to jump, dance and participate in making each performance an unique experience. There is no scripted dialogue, just loud techno music. Most impressive are the descriptions of a part of the performance where a large clear Mylar sheet is stretched above the audience's head holding water where women performers slide and dance (horizontally, of course.) Also, from the pictures of celebrities that have attended this particular show, it appears that the audience will not escape the event without getting quite drenched.
***Disclaimer: I had some knowledge of this production before you had ever mentioned De La Guarda to us, and didn't know until I went to the Fuerzabruta website that it was created by the same people. But I though it was such an interesting show I wanted to include it.
1. Slava's Snowshow; Opened on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre December 7, 2008 and ran until Janurary 4, 2009; Creator: Slava Polunin, Director: Victor Kramer, Produced in North America by David J. Foster and Ross Mollison by arrangements with Slava and Gwenael Allan
2.
"Russian master clown Slava Polunin pushes a snowball in the fantastical 'Slava's Snowshow.'"
3. Simply put this show takes the clowns out of the circus and puts them in a theatre. The entire show is performed by clowns lead by the most famous clown in Russia, Slava who also created the production. As such, there is no spoken words from the performers. Again, audience participation is paramount and individuals attending this event can expect to toss around beach balls and fake snowballs (from the pseudo snow covering the theatre aisles) alike.
1.Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Opened on March 6, 2008 on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran until June 22, 2008; Director: Debbie Allen, Producers: Stephen C. Byrd and Alia M. Jones
2.
Anika Noni Rose and Terrence Howard in a revival of the Tennessee Williams play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/theater/reviews/07roof.html
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/theater/reviews/07roof.html
3. When one thinks of Tennessee Williams, images of the pre-Civil Rights Movement South are impossible to escape. Traditionally the main characters in Williams' works are performed by white actors which, to most, seems historically accurate (Tennessee won a Pulitzer Prize for this script in 1955.) By casting the most recent Broadway revival of the work entirely with black actors, a classic becomes unconventional. Debbie Allen sets the action of the play later than it is usually played, though the exactly year is not specified. Personally, I think when producers and directors begin choosing to do productions such as this the question becomes what is the motivation behind it?
1. 13 the Musical; originally produced by The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, then moved to Broadway; Opened on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on September 16, 2008 and closed January 4, 2009; Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, Book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, Director: Jeremy Sams, Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli
2.
Graham Phillips, center, as Evan in the Broadway musical "13."
3. In the world of theatre, television and film alike it is far from uncommon to have actors much older (or younger) than the characters they are playing. (Personally, the t.v. series "Dawson Creek" comes to mind - 20 somethings playing 15 year-olds, really?) In this new production not only the cast, but also the band is made up of artists all under the age of 18. Some might not consider this terribly unconventional, but considering the level of professionalism of this show (Hello Broadway!) I find it a bold choice that comes with a whole onslaught of challenges.
