Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

gramps3 · Senior Member

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Ray · Senior Member

Gone to T-birds, every one.

You know, Gramps, the state of the nation is so unthinkably, unbelievably disastrous, what with our consumer economy having reached the end of the line, and our clueless politicians bailing out everybody and his brother, that my heart cannot get back into the frivolities of Grease.

-- Edited by Ray at 03:03, 2008-11-21

azure · Senior Member

It really is difficult to keep up a dialogue when people aren't giving any recaps or coming up with current "news" about the show. It's like you almost need to have someone at every performance to share their experience and keep everyone interested in what's happening. When no news is heard about what's happening - except a downward trend in ticket sales, there's not much to talk about.

There will be recaps and video of many of the national tour shows by Taylor's fans. Would those be welcomed here, or do people only want to hear about Grease on Broadway? There are I believe, four cast members from Grease on Broadway who are touring. Would people like to hear about those actors on tour? The Soul Patrol will share news about all actors - if people are interested.

I hope that the holiday season will still be a success in spite of the dismal economic situation. Maybe the Thanksgiving Parade publicity will turn things around. Is anyone from this Board going to the parade?

What's going on with the cast members? Do any of them have fans sites where info is kept up to date and someone could share over here? The economy is definitely a downer, and without people going to see Grease and talking about it, the enthusiasm wanes. As gramps pointed out, when Max and Laura were the new kids on the block, it was fun to be a part of their joy. It was as if people were sharing this new Broadway experience with them.

-- Edited by azure at 06:47, 2008-11-21

gramps3 · Senior Member

Ray:

I think you are right and I think the general shift away from a focus on Grease per se with a consequent or perhaps even causal effect of more and more posters being concerned with their own activities and Grease-irrelevant matters has even further caused a generalization of low spirits in a lot of readers. I know it has in me and I get, from time to time, personal messages from other forum members noting in one form or another the same feelings.

In the beginning there was so much enthusiasm and excitement about a couple of young people (and to some extent other cast members too) grasping onto the tail of a an electrifying rocket of opportunity that most of us shared and we tended tp soar with them and were buoyed by their experience and identified with them. Now the show is in the hands of a cast that are not, for the most part, first-time Broadway and the show has become more of an example of Broadway in general than the original spurt of activity fresh out of the NBC show.

To me that dims the excitement a little and represents less of fresh and new venture that excited by virtue of its being a type of exploring venture by newcomers on a difficult and challenging stage.

This is not to say or even imply less skill, talent, or likeability in the present cast but merely to say they are performing in a different, less spontaneous, boisterous, and perhaps even more difficult and challenging environment.

Now I often find myself wondering what Max and Laura are doing on a particular day and wishing I knew more about where their current dreams and experiences are taking them. In the early days we almost walked as newcomers down Broadway with them and practically breathed in the new atmosphere as they did. I think it is not the talent or capabilities or likeableness that is missing, just the freshness.

It is almost like deja vu and many of the oldtimers have to fight a little bit of "been there, done that," in our perceptions and emotions and it dulls, perhaps unfairly, the current experiences.

Gramps

Kristen · Guru

gramps3 wrote:

Ray:

I think you are right and I think the general shift away from a focus on Grease per se with a consequent or perhaps even causal effect of more and more posters being concerned with their own activities and Grease-irrelevant matters has even further caused a generalization of low spirits in a lot of readers. I know it has in me and I get, from time to time, personal messages from other forum members noting in one form or another the same feelings.

In the beginning there was so much enthusiasm and excitement about a couple of young people (and to some extent other cast members too) grasping onto the tail of a an electrifying rocket of opportunity that most of us shared and we tended tp soar with them and were buoyed by their experience and identified with them. Now the show is in the hands of a cast that are not, for the most part, first-time Broadway and the show has become more of an example of Broadway in general than the original spurt of activity fresh out of the NBC show.

To me that dims the excitement a little and represents less of fresh and new venture that excited by virtue of its being a type of exploring venture by newcomers on a difficult and challenging stage.

This is not to say or even imply less skill, talent, or likeability in the present cast but merely to say they are performing in a different, less spontaneous, boisterous, and perhaps even more difficult and challenging environment.

Now I often find myself wondering what Max and Laura are doing on a particular day and wishing I knew more about where their current dreams and experiences are taking them. In the early days we almost walked as newcomers down Broadway with them and practically breathed in the new atmosphere as they did. I think it is not the talent or capabilities or likeableness that is missing, just the freshness.

It is almost like deja vu and many of the oldtimers have to fight a little bit of "been there, done that," in our perceptions and emotions and it dulls, perhaps unfairly, the current experiences.

Gramps

I definitely would have to say that this is not the case for me. I have never hidden the fact on this board that I am a fan of Ashley's, and I continue to be thrilled each day for her that she is starring in the show now. I have shared news when it arises, and I have shared about my own experiences when I attended the show. However, when I am not posting, it is not because I have any less excitement about the show. I just don't feel it is necessary to post about something random just for the sake of posting. And as we all do, I can get busy with things in life, but it doesn't mean that I enjoy "Grease" any less. I loved the TV show, and I love the current production. I think it's fine to have slow days on the board--it doesn't mean that people don't love the show still! There are many of us who do. smile

ThatGirl · Veteran Member

azure wrote:
It really is difficult to keep up a dialogue when people aren't giving any recaps or coming up with current "news" about the show. It's like you almost need to have someone at every performance to share their experience and keep everyone interested in what's happening. When no news is heard about what's happening - except a downward trend in ticket sales, there's not much to talk about.

There will be recaps and video of many of the national tour shows by Taylor's fans. Would those be welcomed here, or do people only want to hear about Grease on Broadway? There are I believe, four cast members from Grease on Broadway who are touring. Would people like to hear about those actors on tour? The Soul Patrol will share news about all actors - if people are interested.

I hope that the holiday season will still be a success in spite of the dismal economic situation. Maybe the Thanksgiving Parade publicity will turn things around. Is anyone from this Board going to the parade?

What's going on with the cast members? Do any of them have fans sites where info is kept up to date and someone could share over here? The economy is definitely a downer, and without people going to see Grease and talking about it, the enthusiasm wanes. As gramps pointed out, when Max and Laura were the new kids on the block, it was fun to be a part of their joy. It was as if people were sharing this new Broadway experience with them.

-- Edited by azure at 06:47, 2008-11-21

I would LOVE to hear what anyone has to say about the Grease Tour. I hope that Taylor's fans feel free to post whatever they like,but I would really apreciate it if they could fill us in on the whole show. Of course I completely understand that most of their energy will be focussed on Taylor! I think Allie is really talented and would love to read a review on her performance.

Linny4Ace · Senior Member

Okay - here's something. Janine posted that today is a rehearsal with MIRRORS. Anyone know how this works? I assume it's to get a deeper understanding of how the characters are coming across, but I would love to hear from someone who knows. I haven't posted anything new because of personal issues. I was in last weekend for Ace's birthday and had a great time with him and with friends. Josh was in for Derek and I think he did a fabulous job. I'm happy I got to tell him that, too. It made it just a little bit different and nice when you've see the show too many times

I'm also enjoying the new Raj and Xavier as Sonny.

DogsandBirds · Guru

Linny4Ace wrote:

Okay - here's something. Janine posted that today is a rehearsal with MIRRORS. Anyone know how this works? I assume it's to get a deeper understanding of how the characters are coming across, but I would love to hear from someone who knows. I haven't posted anything new because of personal issues. I was in last weekend for Ace's birthday and had a great time with him and with friends. Josh was in for Derek and I think he did a fabulous job. I'm happy I got to tell him that, too. It made it just a little bit different and nice when you've see the show too many times I'm also enjoying the new Raj and Xavier as Sonny.

Mirrors? What do you mean by that?

Eris · Guru

My guess is that, rather than rehearsing on stage, they got a rehearsal space with mirrors

BBS420 · Guru

and I would guess they get to see how they perform in the mirrors.

Luvin Broadway · Veteran Member

It seems to me that it would make more sense for someone to videotape the performance and have the cast watch it. I mean how can you look in a mirror if you are supposed to be kissing your partner...lol?

I mean, that's why we have "instant replay" in sports....always good to see it from a different angle.

BBS420 · Guru

I think watching ypurself in the mirror would make you mess up.

henrysmom · Senior Member

I'm sure it's some theatrical device. I'll ask my friend Dina if she knows (she owns a theatre school). I used to teach there, but I never used mirrors?

DogsandBirds · Guru

BBS420 wrote:

I think watching ypurself in the mirror would make you mess up.

Not at all. Many rehearsal spaces have mirrors so the dancers can see themselves dance. All dance studios are mirrored.

BBS420 · Guru

DogsandBirds wrote:
BBS420 wrote:

I think watching ypurself in the mirror would make you mess up.

Not at all. Many rehearsal spaces have mirrors so the dancers can see themselves dance. All dance studios are mirrored.

true.

Mama Grande · Senior Member

Marcia Brady kept practicing her "pucker-up" in a mirror when she she was planning to go out with Doug Simpson on an episode of The Brady Bunch. lol
Seriously though, they use mirrors in aerobics classes for the same reason so attendees can see and correct form mistakes.

Linny4Ace · Senior Member

Now that would make sense. I agree about the video tape, though. I had asked Ace eariler on if he had ever seen himself on video from the show and he said no. I wonder if that's changed by now.

Luvin Broadway · Veteran Member

BBS420 wrote:
I think watching ypurself in the mirror would make you mess up.

I agree BBS. I feel that mirrors would be beneficial to dancers rehearsing as a unit or as a group, but not actors.

texas toast · Member

I think both video and mirrors would be beneficial. I'm a huge Ace fan. He's the only reason I ventured up to NYC and saw the show. Overall I thought he did a great job. His performance was much more than I anticipated. BUT, I had VERY, very minor quibbles over him holding some facial expressions longer than I felt necessary.

Through videotaping the performance the cast might notice something like that about their performance. But it would be well after the fact. On the other hand, while rehearsing in front of a mirror, not only might they notice it, or the director be able to point it out at the moment, they could also immediately try something else and see how it looked.

Interesting teaching method. I'm glad Ace is getting the benefit of this acting experience.

DogsandBirds · Guru

Luvin Broadway wrote:

BBS420 wrote:
I think watching ypurself in the mirror would make you mess up.

I agree BBS. I feel that mirrors would be beneficial to dancers rehearsing as a unit or as a group, but not actors.

In this show, all of the actors dance. As far as mirrors not benefitting actors, I guess that depends on the actor.

Eris · Guru

Keven Quillon watched the show from the front row last night with a clipboard in hand. I imagine he was taking notes on everyone's performance to talk to them about it later. Keven is the dance captain and it is his responsibility to make sure the show stays as close to the original choreography and direction as possible. If changes are made he's the one who teaches them to the cast and he also rehearses new cast members.

And, no, I didn't sit in the front row. I saw him go walk by holding a clipboard.