I am new to community theater.  I've spent the last six years as musical director/accompanist for High School productions, but recently did a show for the local community theater group.  It was a great show with quality sets and lights and a semi pro orchestra.  We worked hard for this show, but on closing night, the cast took liberties with the script and had their own little version of "amateur improv night".  I was so disappointed.  What they did wasn't clever or funny but just dumb.  It seemed self indulgent to me, and I was embarrasssed.  My sister drove nearly an hour and paid $25 to see the show that I had given up my Christmas vacation to rehearse for!  Is this normal?  Or acceptable?  Or even legal?  Thanks for your input!

I could understand an actor wanting to try something a little different, IF they run it by the director first. However, to change an entire show - lines and all is completely unprofessional. Yes, there are those creative people who can change it up every night and keep the integrity of the show and it works. I've been in a couple shows with actors who liked to do it a little different each time. Granted, they were hillarious. However, the director talked to them about how important it is for the rest of the cast for the scene to be consistent each night so that no one gets thrown off gaurd by what they are doing. Especially in community theatre when there are usually several people who are new to the stage and are just trying so hard to get their own lines/blocking out.

Personally, I have never heard of it being done.

Originally posted by MartyW Ok as always, the IMHO disclaimer.. BUT. Never, No Way, No How!  The audience paid the same price for the final show and deserves the same show that all the other audinces got.  You want to play, (at the directors discretion) have fun at a pick up rehearsal.. NEVER on a ticketed night.. How would they feel about it if they went to a profesional show and got them on a FUN night.. Not so fun I'm sure after paying PRO prices...  Someone does that in a show that I'm in and they probably don't need apply at my next audition...    As for High School, woe to the cast that thinks they can get away with it in one of my productions!!!  Ok, rant on a pet peeve over..

We do a "joke night" at the last dress or second to last dress rehearsal ONLY.. and that's ONLY if the previous rehearsals have gone well enough, AND the director feels that the cast knows their lines, blocking, cues, etc...