New Shows to do in the Round?

[Joshua Rosenthal]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 3:14pm

I think Pippin would be AMAZING on the Round! The preshow set could be like a bare traveling circus would be, a sand lot with the Props, colorful stumps and landing pads, etc. Set out, and the walls of the theatre covered in colorful tent fabric. Additionally I think Into the Woods ans Legally Blonde (might be more of a challenge but still), would be great to see in the round. Lemme know what yall think!

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 3:16pm

The Great Comet. Period.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 3:31pm

I saw an amateur production of Carrie in the round that worked incredibly well. I'd like to see a larger, professional company tackle that.

[ditsylife09]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 3:32pm

North Shore Music Theatre, that's all I've got to say. Top of the line, in the round productions since the 1990s.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 3:33pm

Beetlejuice

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 4:30pm

Mentions of North Shore Music Theater and Dollypop together cue up my memory of a glorious in-the-round production of HELLO DOLLY starring Betsy Palmer I recall seeing as a teenager, probably around '72 or '73. In a staging like that, it's all about the costumes, the choreography and the star power, which Betsy Palmer had in spades. Bliss.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 4:30pm

Spring awakening. Into the woods. Sunday in the park. Aida. Little mermaid. Tarzan. Fiddler on the roof. Cabaret. Pippin. The list really goes on

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 4:34pm

The Secret Life of Bees would be a perfect fit for Circle in the Square once life returns to normal

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 5:19pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "Spring awakening. Into the woods. Sunday in the park. Aida. Little mermaid. Tarzan. Fiddler on the roof. Cabaret. Pippin. The list really goes on"

 

I read the OP's question, and my first thought was  "with the right director, pretty much any show can work in the round...except Sunday in the Park with George." So imagine my surprise when someone actually suggests Sunday as a potential show to do in the round lol! 

How would you achieve the Act I finale effect in the round? It's perhaps the single most important moment in the show, and it basically requires an end-on/proscenium staging. If anyone has any thoughts as to how that issue might be worked around, or how the staging could be re-imagined to work in the round, I'd genuinely be curious to hear. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 8:19pm

JBroadway said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Spring awakening. Into the woods. Sunday in the park. Aida. Little mermaid. Tarzan. Fiddler on the roof. Cabaret. Pippin. The list really goes on"



I read the OP's question, and my first thought was"with the right director, pretty much any show can work in the round...except Sunday in the Park with George." So imagine my surprise when someone actually suggests Sunday as a potential show to do in the round lol!

How would you achieve the Act I finale effect in the round? It's perhaps the single most important moment in the show, and it basically requires an end-on/proscenium staging. If anyone has any thoughts as to how that issue might be worked around, or how the staging could be re-imagined to work in the round, I'd genuinely be curious to hear."

So in the production I produced and designed there were scrims that were in the centre. With digital mapping. That could be raised and lowered. That was the canvas. The musicians were in the centre where when the skrim  was lowered backlighting provided silhouettes of the musicians for some pieces as it was needed. It also provided for the lighting effects in the second act. Behind the skrim painting from the inside were local artist provided multiple shadows of “George “ painting. When we needed a white canvas the lighting was from the outside.  When were were showing his work it was from the inside.  For the hour plus of the first act the artists worked on their sections of their international of the serat piece.  There was a massive turntable and at the end of the first act. Sunday was performed as the characters rotated around the background that the artists had been painting for the hour.  IMO (albeit maybe bias) it was such an emotional play to begin with and with song and showcasing the work of artists. It was beautiful and moving.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 9:46pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "Mentions of North Shore Music Theater and Dollypop together cue up my memory of a gloriousin-the-round production of HELLO DOLLY starring Betsy Palmer I recall seeing as a teenager, probably around '72 or '73. In a staging like that, it's all about the costumes, the choreography and the star power, which Betsy Palmer had in spades. Bliss."

 

I've seen HELLO, DOLLY! in the round several times and don't think it works well in that venue. 

The first time was with nightclub singer Jane Morgan as Dolly  and she was doing a God-awful impersonation of Channing. (You want to know how odd she was on stage? See her "We Need A Little Christmas" on YouTube) The other time was with Channing herself. 

In both instances the cast attempted to create a train with twirling parasols and I believe some of the dancers carried a prop cowcatcher. Neither production had a staircase for the Harmonia Gardens. Dolly just walked down the aisle like the theater-goers did when they were being seated. HELLO, DOLLY! really needs a proscenium. stage to work well.

 

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 5/8/20 at 9:50pm

I’ve always thought being Into the Woods to Circle in the Square with a dynamite cast, make the audience feel like THEY are in the woods it would be a hit.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 12:52am

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "
I’ve always thought being Into the Woods to Circle in the Square with a dynamite cast, make the audience feel like THEY are in the woods it would be a hit."

the times I’ve seen into the woods it’s only been in the round  it provides and amazing experience   Immersed in trees and turn tables. Amazing 

 

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 1:43am

Into the Woods and Jesus Christ Superstar have been my mos t recent imaginings.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 1:51am

In answer to Dollypop, my recollection of the North Shore DOLLY is that the train was done with the whole ensemble carrying window cutouts that formed the train car. Pretty magical actually. A partial staircase occupied one aisle for the Harmonia Garden entrance, and the wow reveal of Dolly worked swell. And isn’t that show all about one costume parade after another? In the round those ensemble cakewalks were even more of a thrill to this little gay teenager.

Updated On: 5/9/20 at 01:51 AM

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 2:24am

I do think any production could be successfully done in the round.

Except A Chorus Line. Unless you do A Chorus Circle.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 3:25am

I’m sure it’s been done somewhere, but Hair in the round could be pretty stellar.

Updated On: 5/9/20 at 03:25 AM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 9:36am

FOLLIES seems like another show dependent on a proscenium to work properly. I’d say the grand staircase for Beautiful Girls, the presentational style of the Loveland Sequence, even Who’s That Woman all demand a traditional theater approach. Chicago’s Shakespeare Co famous production was terrific but it was on a thrust stage that still preserved a sense of a proscenium.

Updated On: 5/9/20 at 09:36 AM

[Broadway Buddy]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 10:31am

What about Come From Away? That would be pretty interesting to see. I would pay to see that! Or even something like Spongebob. That would be a lot of fun!

[tmdonahue]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 11:30am

I depends on the invention of the creatives.  I've seen two musicals at Arena Stage in Washington that before seeing them, I would have thought couldn't be in the round.  Both productions were great, and greatly different.  Oklahoma! and On The Town.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 11:32pm

Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento does them all! Unfortunately, this summer was cancelled...but will be back next summer!

Check out the Music Circus Montage...includes Hair and A Chorus Line..but they've never done Sunday. :)

 Hunchback a couple years ago was incredible!


 

Updated On: 5/9/20 at 11:32 PM

[Broadway Buddy]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 11:51pm

Anastasia_Beaverhausen said: "Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento does them all! Unfortunately, this summer was cancelled...but will be back next summer!

Check out the Music Circus Montage...includes Hair and A Chorus Line..but they've never done Sunday. :)

Hunchbacka couple years ago was incredible!


"
this is very cool! Is it a touring theater, community theater, regional? Interested to know for next time I’m down right near there whenever that may be.

 

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 12:02am

It's equity summer stock...this summer was supposed to be the 70th season. Most of the casting is out of NYC...you'll notice a lot of Broadway folks...especially if you look at more of their sizzle videos on YouTube. Here is their website: Broadway at Music Circus

 

 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 12:03am

Deleted - poster above beat me to it, with more detail! 

Updated On: 5/10/20 at 12:03 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 12:19am

I saw a lot of Music Circus shows in the mid 2000s until I moved to NYC. Pimpernel was a lot of fun and they lowered a lot of set pieces to suggest a garden, a mansion, etc.

In their Les Miz, Javert jumped backwards off the bridge and onto a mattress in the aisle!