The Green Room - What's the "straight play" turn off?

Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:46am

spiker Offline
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julesb2183 wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:32am:

The problem is straight plays don't bring in the money that the theater needs. I think that is why they elect to put on mostly musicals.

This prompts me to ask this question. I'm sure we could present all kinds of theories about why audiences aren't interested, but I want to hear from actors about their own inclinations. Why are you more likely to audition for a musical than a straight play? What was the last straight play you were in? What was the last one you saw? And (god forbid) what was the last DRAMA you saw? If you prefer musicals as an actor or audience member, why?

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #1 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:05am

Tshep Offline
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spiker wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:46am:

This prompts me to ask this question. I'm sure we could present all kinds of theories about why audiences aren't interested, but I want to hear from actors about their own inclinations. Why are you more likely to audition for a musical than a straight play?

Hmmm, gotta remember back to when I was something approaching a triple threat.... ok, that was about twenty years ago.
-More opportunities, more roles available to compete for, more roles that actually paid.
-Wider range of skills required (this is coming from one who views acting as a craft rather than an art).
-More women likely to also be involved (remember, this was more than 20 years ago).
-Generally a more positive and receptive audience response.

Quote:

What was the last straight play you were in?

Caesar at PTC.

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What was the last one you saw?

The Desk Set.

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And (god forbid) what was the last DRAMA you saw?

The Pillowman.

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If you prefer musicals as an actor or audience member, why?

Don't have a preference... just like good work.

They say, best men are moulded out of faults; &&And, for the most, become much more the better &&For being a little bad.

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Reply #2 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:06am

spiker Offline
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Tshep wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:05am:

Quote:

And (god forbid) what was the last DRAMA you saw?

The Pillowman.

Oooh. Where did you see that? It wasn't around here, was it?

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #3 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:16am

Tshep Offline
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spiker wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:06am:

Tshep wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:05am:

Quote:

And (god forbid) what was the last DRAMA you saw?

The Pillowman.

Oooh. �Where did you see that? �It wasn't around here, was it?

Not there... here in Arkansas.... but it would be an interesting dose of dark-'n-freaky to spring on a Utah audience.

They say, best men are moulded out of faults; &&And, for the most, become much more the better &&For being a little bad.

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Reply #4 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:21am

shimmer Offline
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While I can argue for musicals, I can't argue against straight plays.... 'cause I like those too.

"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. " C.S. Lewis

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Reply #5 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:25am

The Dark Knight Ex Member

Okay, I'm going to be somewhat of a devil's advocate make a case against straight-plays:

They tend toward being slow-moving and talky.

The comedies (especially farces) are far too contrived.

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Reply #6 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:29am

kitchensinger Offline
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Oh goody. �Is this where some of you can post your "top 10 most groundbreaking plays?" �Because I'd truly appreciate a list.

I hope that since you opened this up to "actors," you'll permit me to respond because although I'm a musical theatre performer, I certainly consider myself first and foremost an "actor."

spiker wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:46am:

Why are you more likely to audition for a musical than a straight play?

I don't think I really have a preference. �I can only do one show a year since I have a young family, so I try to get the most overall "bang for my buck" by doing a musical because I'm a singer too.

spiker wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:46am:

What was the last straight play you were in? �What was the last one you saw?

Never been in one for the above reasons. �I've auditioned for staged readings, though, in an effort to hone my craft. �Yes, I admit that there is definitely some serious acting skills to be learned in doing plays as opposed to musicals. �I know for me that there is a tad bit of intimidation to bridge the gap between musicals and plays. �MT geeks are VERY aware of and appreciate the enormous amount of acting skills it takes to do plays; and we do our best to emulate this skill in the musical genre.

spiker wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:46am:

what was the last DRAMA you saw?

Vertical Hour at PTC.

spiker wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 8:46am:

If you prefer musicals as an actor or audience member, why?

Most of the reason I go to ANY show, it's for my own education. �I have to admit that around here, I go to a play to watch and learn the acting craft, and the musical to learn the skills specific to this genre, to grow familiar with the work and hear some good singin' and good playin' from the pit. �I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to singing (not to be mean...just to learn)...so the only way I really enjoy a musical is if the singing is good enough and the acting is FABULOUS. �I would say lately, that my time spent at musicals v. plays are about 3:1.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #7 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 11:15am

Tshep Offline
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kitchensinger wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 9:29am:

Oh goody. Is this where some of you can post your "top 10 most groundbreaking plays?" Because I'd truly appreciate a list.

K, can't do just 10.... but here's your reading list for the summer: Roughly chronologically....

-Oedipus Rex
-Lysistrata
-Everyman
-Hamlet
-Tartuffe
-Faust
-A Doll's House
-Uncle Tom's Cabin
-The Hairy Ape
-Six Characters in Search of an Author
-Waiting for Lefty
-Our Town
-Mother Courage and her Children
-Marat/Sade
-No Exit
-Waiting for Godot
-Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
-Dutchman
-Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
-Buried Child
-Zoot Suit
-Glengarry Glen Ross
-Torch Song Trilogy
-Uncommon Women and Others
-Angels in America
-Topdog/Underdog
-Proof
-Copenhagen

They say, best men are moulded out of faults; &&And, for the most, become much more the better &&For being a little bad.

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Reply #8 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 11:41am

Cheeky Monkey Offline
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This is coming from someone who loves musicals AND plays (so don't start on that!).

I think there is something about plays that is just so raw and dangerous. And I think that turns people off because they want to go to something where they feel safe.

Plays are just so much more... naked. There's no song or sweeping orchestra to hide behind.

"Depends. Did you feel anything for the pumpkin? The midgets?" -Wildcard&&&&If Mary Matalin and James Carville can make it work, ANYONE can. The end.

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Reply #9 - Jun 19^th, 2008 at 12:03pm

spiker Offline
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Yes. I was just thinking I wouldn't know how to put together a list of only 10 "groundbreaking" plays, but I could put together a longer list of plays I think everyone involved in theatre should read, just to have a good knowledge of the history and landscape of theatre. Professor Tshep is good at that.

I would add:
Importance of Being Earnest
either Major Barbara or Pygmalion
and a Pinter, either The Birthday Party or Betrayal

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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