[NEohioPAL]CVT feature -"Seamless Shifts Add to Show's Quality" - Beck's Beauty & the Beast
FSternfeld at aol.com
FSternfeld at aol.com
Fri Dec 22 05:17:09 PST 2006
-------------------------------1166793429
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en
=20
Bob Abelman, who is playing Maurice in Beck Center's production of Disney's=
=20
_Beauty and the Beast_=20
(http://www.fredsternfeld.com/beautyandthebeastencore06.htm) , is also a jou=
rnalist with the Chagrin Valley Times. Below is the=20
third in a series of articles he has written that have been published in th=
e=20
Chagrin Valley Times to provide an inside look at the production.
=20
The show continues through December 31, call 216-521-2540 for tickets.
=20
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Seamless Shifts Add to Show=E2=80=99s Quality
by Bob Abelman, Chagrin Valley Times
=20
This is the third in a short series of backstage commentaries about the=20
encore production of Disney=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CBeauty and the Beast=E2=80=
=9D at the Beck Center for the=20
Arts. =20
Clearly, the allure of this show resides in its classic storybook=20
characters, its romantic storyline=E2=80=94=E2=80=9Ca tale as old as time=
=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94about redemption and true=20
love, its music, and its special effects. But the real magic happens behi=
nd=20
the curtains and off in the wings of the stage. It is there that the scener=
y=20
changes occur. =20
In the course of this massive production there are a whopping 24 separate=20
scene changes that involve well over 25 individual set pieces. Weeks of =20
rehearsal have gone into actors delivering believable characters and executi=
ng =20
songs and dances with precision. However, the real work went into making fl=
uid,=20
seamless scene changes that give a sense of place to the performances and=20
complete the illusion of the show.=20
Stage manager Tod Huffman is in charge and coordinates the activities of tw=
o=20
assistants, Deanna Caudill and Steven Shack, as well as five crew members,=20
intern Hayley Tupaz, and every single cast member. When not on stage, the=
=20
40-plus performers are holding or shifting massive curtains or moving furni=
ture=20
and set pieces. If not on stage or involved in the current set change, cas=
t=20
members are assigned the important task of staying the hell out of the way.=
=20
Traffic patterns are crucial to one=E2=80=99s survival and are as choreogra=
phed as=20
anything occurring in front of the footlights. =20
Some changes require only one or two individuals. Others, such as bringin=
g=20
in the West Wing of the Beast=E2=80=99s castle, require as many as a dozen=20=
people=20
who are simultaneously placing this cumbersome piece in an exact location=20
marked by a bit of tape on the stage while remaining hidden and silent. Ste=
alth=20
is a difficult feat when dressed like a whisk or pepper shaker.=20
Although scene changes are designed to draw little attention on stage, they=
=20
are fascinating to watch and create extremely bizarre and haunting images=20
from backstage. A scantily clad enchanted dinner plate, enveloped in dry i=
ce=20
fog and backlit in blue, can be seen tugging on a curtain cord with the kin=
d=20
assistance of a wolf standing on his back haunches. A surreal silhouette of=
=20
life-sized cutlery pushing a statue of a girl with outstretched arms vanish=
es=20
into the darkness as it moves from stage right to stage left. =20
According to Ms. Caudill, the most elaborate set change in the show is when=
=20
the stage transitions into the Beast=E2=80=99s library. While the audience=
sees =20
Belle and the Beast at dinner, behind a mid-stage traveler curtain are =20
stagehands quietly moving the large library piece onstage, opening the castl=
e arches=20
and placing two large bookshelf flats into place. As the traveler opens to=20
reveal this scene, the chairs, table and fireplace are quickly removed and=20=
two=20
small bookcases are rolled onstage. =20
This show is also filled with special effects and stage magic, such as the=20
transformation of the Beast into the Prince. Their mechanics can not be=20
revealed but their existence adds an entirely new layer of complications to=20=
an=20
already complex production.=20
The success of most musicals is calibrated by ticket sales, standing=20
ovations, rave reviews and whether or not departing audience members are hu=
mming=20
show tunes. For =E2=80=9CBeauty and the Beast,=E2=80=9D an additional indi=
cator is whether the=20
audience is asking =E2=80=9Chow did they do that=E2=80=9D as they leave the=
Beck. =20
-------------------------------1166793429
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML xmlns:o =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUTF-8">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.5730.11" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY id=3Drole_body style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY:=20=
Arial"=20
bottomMargin=3D7 leftMargin=3D7 topMargin=3D7 rightMargin=3D7><FONT id=3Drol=
e_document=20
face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D3>
<DIV><FONT lang=3D0 face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F"=20
PTSIZE=3D"12">
<DIV><FONT lang=3D0 face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F"=20
PTSIZE=3D"12"><STRONG>Bob Abelman, who is playing Maurice in Beck Center's=20
production of Disney's <EM><A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.fredsternfeld.com/beautyandthebeastencore06.htm=20
href=3D"http://www.fredsternfeld.com/beautyandthebeastencore06.htm">Beauty a=
nd the=20
Beast</A></EM>, is also a journalist with the Chagrin Valley Times. Be=
low=20
is the third in a series of articles he has written that have been published=
in=20
the Chagrin Valley Times to provide an inside look at the=20
production.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>The show continues through December 31, call 216-521-2540 for=20
tickets.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>---------------------------------------------------------------=
-------</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D4>Seamless Shifts=
Add to=20
Show=E2=80=99s Quality</FONT></SPAN></B></DIV>
<DIV><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">by Bob Abelman, Chagrin Valley=
=20
Times<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This is the third in a short s=
eries=20
of backstage commentaries about the encore production of Disney=E2=80=99s=20=
=E2=80=9CBeauty and=20
the Beast=E2=80=9D at the Beck Center for the Arts.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Clearly, the allure of this sh=
ow=20
resides in its classic storybook characters, its romantic storyline=E2=80=
=94=E2=80=9Ca tale as=20
old as time=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94about redemption and true love, its music, and=20=
its special=20
effects.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But the real magic h=
appens=20
behind the curtains and off in the wings of the stage. It is there that the=20
scenery changes occur. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In the course of this massive=20
production there are a whopping 24 separate scene changes that involve well=20=
over=20
25 individual set pieces.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Wee=
ks of=20
rehearsal have gone into actors delivering believable characters and executi=
ng=20
songs and dances with precision.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>However, the real work went into making fluid, seamless scene changes=
=20
that give a sense of place to the performances and complete the illusion of=20=
the=20
show.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Stage manager Tod Huffman is i=
n=20
charge and coordinates the activities of two assistants, Deanna Caudill and=20
Steven Shack, as well as five crew members, intern Hayley Tupaz, and every=20
single cast member.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When not=20=
on=20
stage, the 40-plus performers are holding or shifting massive curtains or mo=
ving=20
furniture and set pieces. <SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If=20=
not on=20
stage or involved in the current set change, cast members are assigned the=20
important task of staying the hell out of the way.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Traffic patterns are crucial to on=
e=E2=80=99s=20
survival and are as choreographed as anything occurring in front of the=20
footlights.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN=
></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Some changes require only one=20=
or two=20
individuals.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Others, such as=20
bringing in the West Wing of the Beast=E2=80=99s castle, require as many as=20=
a=20
dozen people who are simultaneously <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>placing this cumbersome piece in an=
exact=20
location marked by a bit of tape on the stage while remaining hidden and sil=
ent.=20
<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Stealth is a difficult feat w=
hen=20
dressed like a whisk or pepper shaker.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Although scene changes are des=
igned=20
to draw little attention on stage, they are fascinating to watch and create=20
extremely bizarre and haunting images from backstage.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A scantily clad enchanted dinner p=
late,=20
enveloped in dry ice fog and backlit in blue, can be seen tugging on a curta=
in=20
cord with the kind assistance of a wolf standing on his back haunches.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A surreal silhouette of life-sized=
=20
cutlery pushing a statue of a girl with outstretched arms vanishes into the=20
darkness as it moves from stage right to stage left. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">According to Ms. Caudill, the=20=
most=20
elaborate set change in the show is when the stage transitions into the Beas=
t=E2=80=99s=20
library.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>While the audience s=
ees=20
Belle and the Beast at dinner, behind a mid-stage traveler curtain are=20
stagehands quietly moving the large library piece onstage, opening the castl=
e=20
arches and placing two large bookshelf flats into place. As t=
he=20
traveler opens to reveal this scene, the chairs, table and fireplace ar=
e=20
quickly removed and two small bookcases are rolled onstage.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This show is also filled with=20
special effects and stage magic, such as the transformation of the Beast int=
o=20
the Prince.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their mechanics c=
an not=20
be revealed but their existence adds an entirely new layer of complications=20=
to=20
an already complex production.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The success of most musicals i=
s=20
calibrated by ticket sales, standing ovations, rave reviews and whether or n=
ot=20
departing audience members are humming show tunes.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For =E2=80=9CBeauty and the Beast,=
=E2=80=9D an=20
additional indicator is whether the audience is asking =E2=80=9Chow did they=
do that=E2=80=9D as=20
they leave the Beck.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></=
DIV></FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>
-------------------------------1166793429--
More information about the NEohioPAL
mailing list