Seeking Small Cast/ No Set Show
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Topic: Seeking Small Cast/ No Set Show
Posted By: castMe
Subject: Seeking Small Cast/ No Set Show
Date Posted: 11/06/05 at 10:44am
A local theater has asked me to present a show in their new February slot. The space seats approx. 65-70 in a cabaret-type setting and is not conducive to typical theatre presentations. No wings, no back stage and no room to bring in any lighting other than follow spots. They do have a number of risers. Last year I jumped into the fray and bailed them out when they had to cancel their previously scheduled event. We presented Love Letters which worked very well in the room. They brought in the desert chef from a local restaurant and offered a variety of sweets along with wine and coffee. They did quite well and are looking forward to me coming up with another brilliant production. I am out of "brilliant production" ideas for the space, but I don't want to disappoint them as I am trying to get on their main stage schedule for next year. No musicals, please.
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Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
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Replies:
Posted By: dougb
Date Posted: 11/06/05 at 11:28am
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I did tech for a production of SYLVIA that was done black box style -
just some furniture no doors, walls etc. I directed (and later
saw another production of) PROOF that was done with only an outdoor
table, a couple of chairs and some old split logs used as a
fence. Both have casts of four. For something offbeat but
very good look at THREE VIEWINGS (1m,2w). It needs a sofa and
chair and some odds and ends.
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Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 11/06/05 at 12:00pm
Thanks dougb. Am looking into Three Viewings. Sylvia recently done by another theatre company in the same building (two other performance spaces in this former retail building, one 60 seat black-box type and a 900+ seat turn-of-the-century (20th that is) proscenium). As to Proof, I try to stay away from properties recently filmed. I liked the movie, but nothing touched live theatre. Somehow, Hollywood always seems to screw up the film version.
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Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
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Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 11/06/05 at 7:47pm
I recently saw a production of "Streetcar Named Desire" which used
NOTHING - no scenery - no stage lighting - minimal furniture. And
it was mesmerizing.
Not that "Streetcar" has a small cast - but I think it showed me that a
good director with talented actors and a strong vision of a play
doesn't need sets and lights. They help and are theatrical, of course.
But - it all boils down to the script and the actors and the director.
I believe the trick is to make sure the production is graceful and
elegant -and that it appears the lack of scenery and lighting is a
CHOICE and not a compromise.
Good luck!
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Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 11/06/05 at 8:24pm
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Excellent point, Tristan. I particularly like your last paragraph. I will sort thru scripts again tomorrow.
.....The more I think about your reply, the more I recall many shows I've seen and done with boring up-down lighting and a badly painted set. The play's the thing. I can do a bad show without bad sets and bad lighting.
..........seriously, thanks T B
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Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
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Posted By: Sueshoo
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 9:47am
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Take a look at "Vanities" - 3 women - and with the exception of onstage dressing/changing area for the women, set is representational.
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Susan
Life is not a Dress Rehearsal
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Posted By: Aimee
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 8:34pm
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"Our Town" has minimal sets. Powerful piece too.I don't think the cast is too big wither (don't recall exactly)
I agree with Tristan as well, a good director makes a WORLD of difference. You can do ALOT with very little. Good direction and willing actors, no limits!
Good luck!
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Aimee
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Posted By: Vagabond
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 9:49pm
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We are currently doing "Separate Beds" - one man, one woman, who each play two roles, as a travelling show. Very minimal sets - we did it as a triangle. Written to be performed in the round, we did it more as thrust. Challenging for the actors, but very entertaining and designed for the middle aged/married/committed crowd. If you want more info, email me at mailto:jbradsha@mts.net - jbradsha@mts.net
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Posted By: ljstockham813
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 10:19pm
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May I suggested a play by Robert Yowell entitled "Montana Love Story."
If "Love Letters" was such a hit, I can assure you "Montana Love Story" will be a hit. It played in Los Angeles a couple of years ago and consequently has been performed elsewhere. It is a two-character play: Charles Russell (the American artist) and his wife. Bare stage with scrims and lighting.
You can reach Mr. Yowell in the Department of Theatre (he is the director of the department) at Northern Arizona University. His email is mailto:robert.Yowell@nau.edu - robert.Yowell@nau.edu
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Linda Stockham
Playwright/Cultural Anthropologist
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Posted By: mark_j
Date Posted: 11/08/05 at 11:35am
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What kind of plays are you looking for- comedies, dramas, thriller? I have a psychological piece if your audience is into arthouse type plays. If your audience likes screwball comedies the Tuna series (2 men...or more) is good. Or maybe a minimized "On Golden Pond" perhaps- just thinking out loud.
Mark J, mailto:rumely_28@yahoo.com - rumely_28@yahoo.com
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Posted By: bernster74
Date Posted: 11/08/05 at 1:21pm
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If you have a cabaret-style space, I would suggest something like Forever Plaid - no set necessary - just props. The show seems to be a big hit wherever it plays.
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Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 11/08/05 at 6:13pm
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Since the production goes up in Feb, we are hoping to find something with a love story or at the very least something that I can rationalize as a love story (rationalization being what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom). It doesn't necessarily have to be a comedy, but I am not looking drama either. That being said, I consider shows like Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Belles to be comedies. (See how well I rationalize?) I am not looking for musicals at this time as the space is confined and musicals require much more rehearsal time.
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Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
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Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 11/08/05 at 10:32pm
"The Fantasticks" by Schmidt & Jones is a very
romantic, no-set, small cast show. Yes, it's a
musical, but I like to think of it as the "Anti-Musical"
Muscial. No splashy sets, costumes, or intricate
dance numbers to encumber you.
"The Romantics" by Edmond Rostand is the
non-musical version on which "The Fantasticks" is
based. It is a few hundred years old, but there's no
reason why it couldn't be done in contemporary
dress.
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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
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