Open the "Stage Door" AND LET ME IN!

The Blog that is produced by Angel de Quinta is the mother load of Broadway excerpts. There is so much there to offer, that anyone with any level of appreciation for these performances will find something they enjoy and inspires them.

What was thrilling about this, besides finding so many wonderful songs (especially the performances by actors and actresses that I did not know sang) was seeing the collection of all the different technological advances the theater employed.

Let's first look at the one thing every human being longs to be able to do... FLY. The Peter Pan Musical is a wonderful composition in its self. Now, take that and swing a beautiful man (played by a woman) and swing her fifty feet in the air across the stage and around the theater and guess what? ITS PHENOMENAL. Yes, yes there has been operas and plays that had people lowered from the cat walk...but never flight. Now we have a weightless figure soaring above us, making those childhood dreams come true. (Not to mention, Cathy Rigsby sings SOO WELL and she is being swung all over the place....too fun!)

Next we move on to the obvious, but often over looked, stage lights! The stage lighting has transformed plays and musicals more so than probably any other equipment. They first began to light to the stage with candle light. This was a problem because 1) THATS PROBABLY DANGEROUS... just my thoughts. 2) Candles are not that bright...again SHOCKER?! Not at all, there is just not enough light given off by them to engulf a room with light, let alone direct it across and entire stage. 3)They produced a lot of heat...and no one likes to sit in dress clothes and sweat. More or less the theater was a dangerous place. Now though, electricity has done the theater wonders. Stage lights can change colors, make shapes, get bright, then dim. The master of lighting has complete control over what light is going where on the stage, and created such a wonderful atmosphere there.

From here lets also look at the stage and theater itself. Like this one used for Godspell. The theater can now be considered an interactive space. Different stages cover the whole area of the theater, not necessarily just the front section. This adds to the feel that you are now in the play. You become an active participant to the music and the action. They have also enhanced the stages themselve. Who would think to have a pool of water and a dripping ceiling fall into  the middle of a stage? NOT ME. I sure am game for a few trapdoors, and what have you...but wouldn't think of a working pool/water line...that's pretty neat!!

Of course there is also the scenery and atmosphere on the stage. There used to be such a void, which then transformed to furniture that covered the area. and now there is interactive props. Creating wind on the stage. Different parts of the scenery are real trees, or actually have a lattice for them to climb. THis montage of London's Phantom does a great job showing the atmosphere working so well because of the props and scenery that is being used.

Another great advancement is the sound of the stage. THe speakers alone ad such a booming sound that creates such an emotional response from everyone in the crowd. The relocation of the orchestra off the stage, and hidden creates an even more realistic feel that this is actually occuring. But the microphones that they use are so advanced that they pick up the music perfectly, the voices of the orchestra are picked up through stage microphones, and then the hightec ones that are attached to the face are practically flawless in their vocal recognition. This allows for the theater to really sing, and always has the leads louder, the surrounding music perfectly in sync with the singers. Its so wonderful when it is all working together, that you are simply engulfed with emotions and goosebumps with the beautiful music and songs.

ANother technology that is increasing in popularity and has always been around, is puppetry. A fantastic play has come on to the scene named "Avenue Q" which is basically the adult Sesame street, and influenced by the Muppets. The actors use wonderfully constructed puppets, with moving arms, mouths, eyes, legs, and make them sing dance and act across the stage. Now the puppets sure are cute and attractive to the youngsters, however, the humor and content of these plays are not. The hilarity of this comedic musical is a wonderful addition to the stage.