First, why doesn’t Google Chrome recognize “theatre” as an acceptable spelling. Okay, I need to say that I will not be posting a link to this rant on my Twitter or Facebook. Because I afraid the truth might offend some around me. I just need to get this out.
This week, I had the opportunity to see two shows. One done right. And another not so much. The first was JT’s Suessical: the musical. I got some comp tickets for me and my girls, because I worked the electrical load in. From start to finish, a very well done show. Great energy and characterization. The singing and choreography were top notch. I wasn’t even distracted by the tech. Which if you know me, that is a huge compliment.
The second was my girls’ high school attempt at “Godspell”. Now I want to go on record and say that I feel that the kids did the best they could with what they were given. It just fell short on what it could/ should have been. I felt bad for Katie, who was running lights, because the LD sucked. And Katie was prevented from making any changes, even though she was more qualified on the control system as well as more familiar with the space. The LD also never showed up to work with Katie until a couple days before opening. The audio was way rough. Between the mics not picking things up well and the tracks being too loud and overpowering the singers, it was painful. If it wasn’t for the songs and some of the transition lines, I would not have recognized the show as “Godspell” because of all the rewrites that were in act 1. (The copyright rant still might be coming) I just didn’t feel it. I wasn’t drawn in at all. My poor Gwen and many of the chorus characters were giving it their all but I had a hard time enjoying it. The main players had no depth. The Jesus character started hit his character towards the end of the show, but I didn’t care that they were crucifying him because the show was so meh up to that point. It just meant the show was almost over.
I really fell badly for these kids who give it 100%, and think they are really learning what good theatre is. But instead it is more warm fuzzies, ego stroking and bad habits.
I could rant and really deconstruct the show more, but I am tired and life gets in the way.
