MDA Telethon

reniefran · Senior Member

RE: MDA Telethon

Ray · Senior Member

Repeated viewings on my large screen tv revealed some cold facts........

Sandy is pretending to be something that she isn't, and therefore, she isn't very good at it.
In addition, Laura is out of her element. She goes through the motions and steps perfectly well, but she exudes no sensuality whatsoever.

The number is far more exciting and sexy in the context of the show, where Laura makes a stunning entrance, and then Max takes over.

Edwardian · Veteran Member

I hate to say it, but I didn't like it. I thought the staging bordered on the tawdry. The clip left me with a yucky feeling.

greatwhiteway · Senior Member

Gee you must be a nice guy then. But honestly I thought it was great and if anything it could have been a bit more tawdry in sections....like when they do se doe'd....I think Laura pulled it off pretty well...which is what Edwardian may be objecting to. hmm

Edwardian · Veteran Member

No, not really. When Laura performed Fever during the TV show, that was really hot. So was the ensemble performance of All That Jazz. I think that when sexuality seems forced it can come off as tawdry and the "fever" just didn't come across here, IMHO.

gramps3 · Senior Member

I think this should bring it up for you---at least it does on mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knIDSBSA3JY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knIDSBSA3JY

Stan/gramps

gramps3 · Senior Member

Ray wrote:

Repeated viewings on my large screen tv revealed some cold facts........

Sandy is pretending to be something that she isn't, and therefore, she isn't very good at it.
In addition, Laura is out of her element. She goes through the motions and steps perfectly well, but she exudes no sensuality whatsoever.
______________________________________________________
I would have to agree with Ray here. Knowing what I do about Laura (and in some areas that is more than many of those on the forum through no fault of their own) I am entirely convinced that what you typically see in her: sweetness, honesty, high personal values--is pretty much what she really is in every day life.
I suspect this is much more difficult acting for her than for many others and that is no slam on either her or the others. Frankly I am surprised at how far she has come in this area and have no doubt that her overall thespian ability will make her better at it than she is now but it really is more difficult to play a role that is so antithetical to one's real self. Most of her other major roles, e.g.,in Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music etc allowed her to project her real self into a role more than does the overtly sexy part of the Sandy role.

The addition of harder makeup, hotter colors and a few too studied postures are designed to help but it's not yet as good as it can be. Acted sensuality is a lot more difficult than it might appear. And, there is one kind of flirting and flaunting and there are others.

I well recall the number of people with which I did therapy that said in dismay, "He (or she) expects me to act like something I am not."

Adapting to a new role is difficult in private life even with someone you love very much. It can be as or perhaps even more difficult on a stage in front of a bunch of strangers. She's working hard at it and her efforts should be appreciated but it is nothing negative that she finds it more difficult than other acting demands.

I say, "Good luck to you Laura, but being the kind of a person you really are is something pretty special."

Stan/gramps

-- Edited by gramps3 at 18:17, 2007-09-11

-- Edited by gramps3 at 18:20, 2007-09-11

Kait · Senior Member

Well said, Gramps.

I do agree that Laura really nailed the sensuality in Fever on the TV show, as Max did in Hard to Handle. On the MDA clip, I saw definite areas of improvement, with room left to grow.
The scene (and the acting) didn't bother me much, though. I had fun watching. But then, I never really bought into a sexual chemistry between Travolta's Danny and Newton-John's Sandy. Most of the impact of that movie scene was in the surprise, for me. What I wonder is how that whole telethon experience was for Max and Laura. I didn't watch, but have seen clips that make me think the whole thing might have been chaotic, somewhat disorganized, confusing. Who know what those kids had to deal with before they took their places to perform.

I can't even imagine doing what they are doing, at their ages, with such grace.

Ray · Senior Member

Edwardian wrote:

I hate to say it, but I didn't like it. I thought the staging bordered on the tawdry. The clip left me with a yucky feeling.

Interesting reaction. I think what might make the number more palatable is something Newton-John did in the movie. She looked to her friend for coaching, thereby making it clear to the viewer that she knew she was putting on an act, and that she had no confusion about who she really was.

There is no such subtlety in Laura's performance. She does it as though she believes she has suddenly and miraculously turned into a sexpot. The fallacy of it goes unnoticed in the theater, because I think everybody is watching Max. I certainly was.

greatwhiteway · Senior Member

OLJ did suddenly turn into a sexpot in the movie as did Laura in the video. And Laura's Sandy did look to her friends for guidance, and even showed doubt about what she was doing in the play in what would be the same scene, except it was not shown in the video. I posted about it previously saying that was what made it palatable to me ...as I never liked the ending of the movie at all.

I do not have the same reaction to Fever that the guys had....She was sexy, I guess, but it was an adult, sophisticated sexy. I think the tawdriness of her act in the vidoe fits much more into the play/movie, much more into what a stupid/typical teenage girl might do to get her man. Fever sexy would be boring in that situation.

Laura Mom · Senior Member

I don't think the video can begin to capture the emotion of the live show. For one thing you're limited to wherever the camera is looking and half the dynamics are missing from the camera's view at any given moment on the video. I do think Laura looks a bit tired in the video. I too wonder when that was filmed. I also doubt it was filmed in front of an audience. Performers love an audience and can find it much more fun and energizing to put more into a scene with the entire momentum of the show and the enthusiasm of the audience. Although I know a great performer should ideally demonstrate their best ability every time they get the chance, I think it is probably more realistic that something like a telethon wouldn't be the highest motivator to put out full energy--especially if you've just had hours of rehearsal etc. And to the questions as to whether Laura's true real-life character makes the switch to sexy Sandy more difficult for her--I'm sure it does. But an actor or actress often has to play parts that do not reflect their true character. If you remember from the TV show the week that Laura did her acting scene with Derek and they questioned, "How was it kissing Derek?" she responded, "This is business. This is what I do." But does it make it harder? Yes, I'm sure. I once read where Michael Douglas spent hours in front of a mirror trying to become authentic for a particular scene in a show he did. He practiced everything from slight facial alterations, different body movements and postures, and even tried accentuating different words in the lines of his sentences, different tones of voice etc. He reportedly did this for hours for a fairly short scene until he saw what he wanted--then he memorized the exact "formula" of what he'd put together so he could duplicate it for the camera. At 21 years old a person also has more limited life experience and I think that must make it even harder. Laura would be the first to say that acting has been her weakest link on the "triple threat" scale. The more singing and the more dancing in a part that Laura performs, the more stunning she is. But she is highly motivated and will continue to work on everything that will make her a better performer. And I suspect she will be most inclined in her career to audition for parts in shows that do not too greatly compromise her personal values. I know some actors may not make that limiting choice, but I think Laura will.

MrE1111 · Guru

Funny, I know I shouldn't be saying this, for reasons that compromise my own personal feelings...but I'm in the middle of working on a play (whether it'll have a life outside my computer or not remains to be seen) with a part that would be great for Laura. (I tend to visualize actors playing the characters...helps them seem more realistic).

Who knows. Maybe it'll happen someday.

Max Star · Veteran Member

Here's some questions that I hope aren't totally dumb...

Are there ever changes made to a stage performance after opening night? Do the actors have any latitude to introduce changes?? (Not sure how that would work given all the dependencies.)

Do the performers review their peformances and continue to work on their delivery? Does the Director look for improvements that can be made. How far can the Director diverge from the script?

I was thinking about all the comments and I can think of a few things that Sandy could do that would help her performance for me--maybe sneak in a few bits (even expressions?) where "sweet Sandy" shows through (after all, she is acting the vamp part in hopes of getting Danny and gaining acceptance from Danny's friends). Do we really have to believe that she has truly transformed into the "sexpot"?

I do wonder if we all just want to rewrite the script to make IT better.

MrE1111 · Guru

Not dumb questions by any stretch of the imagination.

Answer #1: Yes. Changes can be made to the performance after opening night. Recent examples include Wicked changing lighting and adding a few scenes to the Broadway production following the London premiere.

Actors have very little lee-way when it comes to changes. They can't go in one night* and say to the stage manager "hey, I don't like this, so I'm cutting it." There are light cues, and sound cues, and everything else that would be screwed up. They can, however, discuss changes with the creative team (director, writers, etc.). If an actor changes any material to suit his/her own purpose without permission of the creatives, they can be brought up on charges with the various unions.

Answer #2: Actors (generally) are always working to fix their performance and grow (illegal recordings help, of course, but we don't talk about those). They continue to get notes after the show's opening night, once the director is gone, by the stage managers and dance captains, etc.

Directors also keep up with the show to make sure it's all going smoothly. Hal Prince checks up on Phantom of the Opera every 3-4 months.

If there are few stage directions, or things left open for interpretation (there's a scene in a play by Charles L. Mee which only says "a beating occurs."), of course the director can veer from it and stage it any which way. If the director wants to cut whole pages, they'd have to discuss it with the writers, though the director will most-likely get his/her way. Writers have the LEAST power.

Answer #3: I'm sure plenty of people have wanted to rewrite Grease through the years (myself included). It's actually declined in quality since it premiered in the '70s. It actually had somewhat of a story at one point in time.

* A famous anecdote:
When Gwen Verdon was doing Sweet Charity, way back when, she'd cut the last number on nights when the audience was unresponsive or she just was tired (being that she choreographed some numbers and was generally in charge helped). Apparently, someone sent her a letter saying how upset they were that she cut the last song. She wrote back, her response saying "well I've calculated the duration of the song and the amount you spent on you're ticket and here's what you're owed for the absence of the song." And she included a few dollars.

gramps3 · Senior Member

In view of the recent thread about acting in Grease some may find this piece from the London auditions interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLUIPo7atjc

Stan/gramps

NYC9758 · Veteran Member

(please ignore this post, just experimenting with the tag function)

...and it works...nifty smile

-- Edited by NYC9758 at 03:54, 2007-09-12

Max Star · Veteran Member

Thanks Mr E.

I'm thinking that every movement, sound, expression, wiggle is planned. Within the context of performing the same nightly show, what can an actor do to "make it better"? Is it just about improving energy or diction or ??

MrE1111 · Guru

Yep...it's exactly what you're thinking. An 8-show-week-run-for-a-year (or more) gets terribly boring after a while. Every now and then, you'll go to a show and see an actor who looks bored performing.

The actors do have the ability to keep things fresh, adding new quirks to their performance....changing line readings, etc. In some shows, there's room for ad-libbing (Hairspray, The Producers...). When I saw Annie Get Your Gun (years and years ago), Bernadette Peters and Tom Wopat kept trying to screw each other up. The audience loved it!

Grease isn't really one of those, so it's up to the actors to actually enjoy what they're doing and project that onto the audience. There's nothing worse than a bored Danny or Rizzo.

Max Star · Veteran Member

With little insight into the inner workings of a Broadway production, your comments are much appreciated.

New questions:

Are changes ever made to a production based on the Critic's reviews or is the "cat out of the bag" so to speak? There were many comments on the quality of the set design (but I don't really know that the critism is justified--we've heard good things too). Would changes ever occur to the sets or would the "rework" be too expensive at this point?

(Maybe we could take up a collection for a new Laura wig for the ending number, he he? That could be doable.)

MrE1111 · Guru

At this point, there really is no point in changing the design, as the critics won't be invited back.

To scrap the current set, employ another designer, build it, load it in, etc., would indeed be too expensive. It would also be unprecidented, as no other show (as I recall) has totally done a set overhaul mid-run.

Laura Mom · Senior Member

MrE, I hope your writing work makes it to the stage someday! And I hope folks like Andrew LLoyd Webber are also writing plays thinking of Laura as the ideal actress! Ha! One of the highlights of the Grease show I will never forget was Laura's rendition of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and Andrew Llyod Webber's absolutely gleeful response to it. I watched that portion of the "Grease" show again a couple nights ago on my home recorded DVD just for fun and I still could just play it over and over again. I may have to ask to take that DVD to my grave with me! What a mother's delight!

ddktt · Veteran Member

Jane - I also thought that was a highlight of the t.v. show. You are right to revel in it! Having ALW be amazed by your child singing one of his songs is pretty much the ultimate for the mother of a musical theatre kid LOL. No matter what the ups and downs you KNOW she has "IT".

I thougt Laura was number one from the beginning and didn't get how the judges didn't see it. It was interesting that ALW spotted it right away. I think he's seen just a few talented people in his day...

I will look forward to seeing her in another role that will showcase her talents more fully. Kim

MrE1111 · Guru

Jane, I thank you for your kind words.

From your mouth to you-know-who's ears.

koko3 · Veteran Member

Jane,
I hope this post doesn't get lost too far down in the crowd. I just wanted to say that I also dearly loved Laura's performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. I got tears in my eyes and was also thrilled and overjoyed at ALW's response.
I can't even imagine as a mother how incredible that is to have that gem of a moment on dvd!!! What a gift!
Laura continues to impress me with her talents and I know that she will have a long and wonderful career ahead. And I love what you said about her possibly making limiting choices based on her values. That is amazing and there are so many roles that I could see her in and can't wait to see what is next for her!!
All the best.