Show Curtains

[boxers7]

As did/do:
42nd Street
The Frogs
The Music Man
The Producers

[RentBoy86]

But what started the whole "show curtain" phase?

[respeck]

I like RENT's curtain. So simple.

[dirty rotten guy]

I cant remember the Chicago curtain. Can someone refresh me as to if it is just a normal curtain?

[defygravity2]

When we recently went to see Jersey Boys, my reluctant-theater-husband commented that the chain linked fence reminded him of West Side Story. I was SOOO proud that he made a theater connection!! Maybe after 18 years, I am finally making an impact. I know.....I'm wierd....But I was still excited!

[RentBoy86]

Okay, the RENT show curtain joke is a bit old now.

And the Chicago curtain - at least the one on tour - was just a black plain curtain, but it the false proscenium was gold, so it had like a gold outline to it.

[WickedGeek28]

I thought the color purple curtain was cool, the different notes depending on what part of the show.

[neddyfrank2]

Does anyone have a picture of the Sweeney Curtain?

[RentBoy86]

It's basically just a plain curtain with thrashes in it to where you can see through to the stage. There's lights and stuff. It's pretty cool.

Can you explain the Color Purple one further?

[allofmylife]

They've had "Show Curtains" going back to the 30's. There used to be a law that the asbestos curtain must be seen by the audience raised and lowered at every performance. Maybe someone put the name of the show on one (or a scene from the show) and it went from there (just an idea). But I do know that some of the R&H shows had show curtains...

[boxers7]

I'd personally like to nominate The Wedding Singer for the ugliest curtain on Broadway right now. Such a fun show and that's the best they can do?!

[noahrp3]

What does the Wedding Singer curtain look like?

[RentBoy86]

very 80s. It is really ugly, but the 80s weren't a pretty decade.

[bwayondabrain]

well, i personally LOVE the WEDDING SINGER curtain- i think its my favorite

TARZAN has a cool one...

[Mamie]

I want a gown made out of that beautiful royal blue, sparkly one in DRS.

[jv92]

We can all thank the Ekarts for show curtains. Since no one seemed to give a straight answer here, I read the book The Performing Set about their work. Their work on The Golden Apple really began the whole trend of "show curtains" and even no curtains.

[dramaparoxysm23]

firescape, I love the picture of Wicked's curtain! Just like the book. =)

I haven't seen a lot of shows, but I really like Spamalot's. That picture of DRS reminds me of some of the casinos in Biloxi.

[WickedGeek28]

"Can you explain the Color Purple one further?"

Sure.

When the audience first arrives the curtain is an entry to Celie's diary about her life and she's questions the changes she's feeling.

SPOILER

The curtain comes down on the first act just as Celie reads a note telling her Nettie isn't dead, but alive and in Africa. The curtain that comes down reads the note that Celie just read.

Not to sure of the fianl curtain, though. It was have just said "Amen."

Actually, I think there wasn't a closing curtain. I have no clue.

[neddyfrank2]

Does anybody have a picture of The Wedding Singer marquee?

[bwayondabrain]

whoa! i didn't notice that the curtain changed at THE COLOR PURPLE! now i have to see the show all over again just to see the second curtain...gosh :P

[AshleyBrownFan123]

I love:
Little Women
Hairspray
Mamma Mia
Beauty and the Beast

[bwayondabrain]

this is a picture of THE WEDDING SINGER curtain
(mind you, i didnt take it)

[RentBoy86]

It was cooler in person. It looks sort of out of place now.

The Color Purple one sounds really cool.

[firescape]

Since we are posting marquees like crazy....Let's see some more Show Curtain pics............

[Eastwickian]

Avenue Q pre-show curtain in London:

[Gypsy9]

When I walk into a theatre I feel like I am in a special space.In pre-1990 theatre the house curtain, made of rich brocade or velvet- like material was always down, standing as a border between the here and now and the delights lying behind the curtain.One could look around and admire the architecture and murals. Then the house lights would dim and the overture would start and sometimes the house curtain would then go up revealing a show curtain that was sometimes a scrim so that at the end of the overture the back lighting of the scrim/showcurtain would reveal the actors for the first time. Show curtains such as these were not used in all shows.I remember the first one I saw was in 1958's GOLDILOCKS which had sumptuous sets and costumes (and Elaine Stritch).Beginning in the 1990's it was rare to see the house curtain, although the Shubert's beautiful house curtain was used for CRAZY FOR YOU in the 1990's, remaining in place until the end of the overture.
NOw show curtains are in place, front lit, from the time the audience comes into the theatre,usually revealing some aspect of the show one is about to see. Personally I prefer the old way, with the house curtain in place until the overture begins(if indeed there is an overture).

An innovation for its time was the opening of Gower Champion's CARNIVAL(1961). When the audience arrived it saw no house or show curtain, but rather a bare, dark stage. Ever so slowly the stage lights would brighten, revealing the cast setting up the carnival just as a traveling circus would do in the early morning.Only then would the overture begin, leading directly into the action of the first scene. It was magical. One should buy the CD to hear in their prime Jerry Orbach, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Kaye Ballard. It received rave reviews. CARNIVAL deserves to be revived.