The Ugly Duckling - - Broadway Articles Page 19

A big part of show business is typecasting. There are 'types' that people fall into. These can be based around age, race, gender, and personality. Some people this as an opportunity to play to their strengths. I once participated in a workshop where the instructor told us to 'know our types'. He then began to call people out one by one: 'You're a Fierstein. Try looking at Edna Turnblad or Tevye.' 'You're a Broderick. Look at his roles.' 'Streisand. You have a lot of options for material.' He compared us to already well known household names in the theatre world. What about embracing who you naturally are? Why be the next insert celebrity here , when you can make a name for yourself and be original? There are stock characters that people naturally gravitate towards with ease whether it be by look or by personality, but if people get locked into these types it begins to be all they are seen as. To some people, these types can be seen as limiting. There's not much variety in roles if they play the same kind of part over and over. Actors should try to expand their range of roles when possible. The popular belief of what is attractive doesn't necessarily need to be the leading players driving the action, but just because someone who isn't conventionally attractive drives the story doesn't mean it is an ugly duckling tale. Dramaturgy also comes into play if a character description is explicitly influencing the script. That being said, I've seen several productions where the characters look phenomenal. They are a perfect depiction of how the story describes, but the talent was subpar. It was very clear that a different person was a much better fit, though they might not have been the perfect image. This idea got me thinking: Just because you look the part, does that mean you deserve it?

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Dec. 9 for 'Hansel and Gretel.' This story is part of the 2016-17 season of Today Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6. Performances are at the Playhouse, Today, Dec. 9, at 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM.

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, announces the recipients of the seventh annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition: Shannon Alvis, Sean Carmon, Karen Gabay and Jimmy Orrante.

An original production of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site-The Musical by the Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT) has won six awards at the 2016 Theatre Bay Area (TBA) Awards Celebration, including Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and Outstanding World Premiere Musical. 

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Dec. 9 for 'Hansel and Gretel.' This story is part of the 2016-17 season of Friday Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6. Performances are at the Playhouse, Friday, Dec. 9, at 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM.

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Nov. 11 for 'Red Riding Hood.' This story is part of the 2016-17 season of Today Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6. Performances are at the Playhouse, Today, Nov. 11, at 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM.

Make room for ogre-sized family fun as the greatest fairy tale never told comes to life in a whole new way in this breathtaking Broadway musical adaptation of the hit movie Shrek!

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Nov. 11 for 'Red Riding Hood.' This story is part of the 2016-17 season of Friday Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6. Performances are at the Playhouse, Friday, Nov. 11, at 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM.

The 2016-17 'Just Kidding' weekly performance series at Symphony Space launches this month with music, puppetry, theater and dance. Two upcoming events offer families a comfortable place to enjoy age-appropriate (and adult friendly) theatrical experiences.

The 2016-17 'Just Kidding' weekly performance series at Symphony Space launches this month with music, puppetry, theater and dance. Two upcoming events offer families a comfortable place to enjoy age-appropriate (and adult friendly) theatrical experiences.

Roxey Ballet's Community Engagement Presentation of FRANKENSTEIN will run October 22-30, 2016. 

Salisbury Playhouse and Bristol-based Living Spit present a new comedy adaptation with songs of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Southbank Centre's Winter Festival supported by NatWest returns for the holiday season with a packed programme of festive fun and entertainment for all the family from performances including a new version of hit show BIANCO by UK's leading circus company NoFit State Circus, the Tony award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet and cabaret sensation Le Gateau Chocolat's first ever work for children (and the young at heart) Duckie, to festive concerts, social dances, creative workshops, choirs and a weekend of events inspired by the theme of giving and charity. The 21 acre site is transformed into a winter landscape with a Nordic feel, designed by Hemingway Design, with a sky-high Norwegian tree, Nordic 'Gonks'- mythological Scandinavian creatures, hundreds of Christmas trees, walks of twinkling lights and the return of the bustling Winter Market.  Alternative treats are also on offer across the season including BUMP Rollerdisco and the return of the spectacular Vintage New Year's Eve Party. With the full programme on sale from today, Southbank Centre's Winter Festival programme is guaranteed to get everyone in the festive spirit this Christmas.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts continues its star-packed 25th anniversary season next month with 13 amazing productions from Broadway Tony winners to red hot rockers, from delightful children's shows to jazzy multimedia presentations.

Roxey Ballet is offering a special offer for patrons who purchase tickets to their Frankenstein preview event on October 14th. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase craft beers before the performance, along with being given a 15% discount on their Frankenstein ticket purchase by using the code, FRANKENSTEIN15. For more information, visit www.roxeyballet.org.

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Oct. 7 for 'Chicken Little.' This story is first in the 2016-17 season of Today Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6.

The Capitol Center for the Arts' 2016-17 Lincoln Financial School Series debuts November 2 with New Rep's Classic Repertory Company's production of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic The Scarlet Letter. When Hester Prynne commits an act of adultery, she is isolated and shamed by her community. Wrought with guilt that is veiled by piety, can she reconcile her duty with her desire?

Roxey Ballet, voted New Jersey's favorite dance company, performs its first-ever 'Frankenstein' ballet from October 22-30. With choreography by Lees Hummel and Stephen K. Stone, they have conceived a contemporary adaptation of Mary Shelly's novel that mirrors the possibilities of the future.

The 2016-17 'Just Kidding' weekly performance series at Symphony Space launches this month with music, puppetry, theater and dance. Two upcoming events offer families a comfortable place to enjoy age-appropriate (and adult friendly) theatrical experiences.

An ornery ogre, a peculiar princess, a talking donkey, a vertically-challenged villain and a love struck dragon are headed to The Rose Theater with the production of Shrek The Musical. The Broadway sensation, based on DreamWorks Animation's 2001 blockbuster Shrek will run at The Rose, tonight, Sept. 30 through Oct. 15, 2016.

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Oct. 7 for 'Chicken Little.' This story is first in the 2016-17 season of Friday Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6.

Southbank Centre presents its autumn and winter 2016 programme for performance, dance, theatre and comedy, celebrating an array of compelling work from across Southbank Centre's festivals including: a live reading of a specially commissioned adaptation of HG Wells' classic, The Time Machine performed by a cast of three including Christopher Eccleston; the world premiere of new immersive performance installation Seen and Not Heard by award-winning theatre company Complicite; a night of comedy with renowned comedian, novelist and actress Jenny Eclair; the Tony Award-winning and West End hit musical Million Dollar Quartet, starring Martin Kemp as father of rock 'n' roll Sam Phillips; and a new version of hit show BIANCO by the UK's leading contemporary circus company NoFit State who bring their unique Big Top to Southbank Centre for the first time.

Pumpkin Theatre is thrilled to announce the line-up for its 49th season, 'A Season with Spirit and Moxie!' In Season 49, the Pumpkin stage will feature some of the world's most beloved characters.

An ornery ogre, a peculiar princess, a talking donkey, a vertically-challenged villain and a love struck dragon are headed to The Rose Theater with the production of Shrek The Musical. The Broadway sensation, based on DreamWorks Animation's 2001 blockbuster Shrek will run at The Rose, Sept. 30 through Oct. 15, 2016.

Salisbury Playhouse and Bristol-based Living Spit present a new comedy adaptation with songs of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.