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Broadway is Back: Shows for the Year

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Tired of surfing your direct tv channels weekend after weekend looking for something to entertain you? If you live anywhere near NYC or even many metropolitan areas you may be in luck: Broadway shows are better than ever and the prices are more affordable, too. Here are a few of the most user friendly shows making the rounds
Sister Act: This movie classic has been made into a show and boy is it flashy. It’s got all the best costumes and that 70s flare that’s so fun to relive and the actors can sing, too.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert: If you don’t mind a little drag with your Broadway get on the Priscilla train. The costuming is second to none and it’s a laugh a minute, too. This is NOT one for the kids though so take warning.
Jersey Boys: Perhaps the most highly acclaimed show of the year, Jersey Boys is a throwback to the era of 50s beach music. The men are adorable, the plot fascinating and if you aren’t singing along by the end you must be a robot. This is the show to see.

Behind the Scenes: Spectacular Sets in Musical Theater

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Musical theater is part of American history. Theaters have been a wide variety of entertainment for years. While it is fascinating to see the actual show, what goes on behind the scenes can be intensive and actually, more appealing.

The Lion King theater production, has won 6 Tony awards. For instance, when king Mufasa is killed it is an intense point in the entire production. The audience is captivated by the powerful fight. The wilder beasts that stampeded in are actually done through illusions. They use a canvas scroll and a series of large rollers to simulate shadows of running, it is awe-inspiring.The whole story can be found at http://www.geeky-guide.com/2011/09/theater-lion-king-base-entertainment.html

Another musical which has a great deal of special effects is, The Phantom of the Opera. This musical has fascinated many for years. The most dramatic scene in this production is the crashing chandelier. The grand light fixture weighs over 2,100 lbs. So making this nearly fall on quests is quite a job. When it falls 43 ft. in a mere 3.5 seconds, one is left to wonder if it is going to hit their head. The 5 million project created a 32-axis robot style creation, which hangs from the ceiling. Dramatic but effective, no matter what theater or opera stage one finds themselves on, they can guarantee that the behind the scene is much more interesting than what meets the eye.

Lighting Up the Stage: Opera Singers Who Like Their Smokes

admin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A fan of any opera singer would be hard pressed to believe that their favorite stars smoke. It is not a myth, however, because there are lots of singers that light up.

Opera singers that are known for lighting up the stage with their voices are sometimes lighting up backstage as well. This has been something that has been ongoing for years. Camel has even tried to market their cigarettes in the past with opera singers. Their selling point was based on the smoothness of their cigarettes. They marketed them the Camel brand as one that was smooth enough for an opera singer.

Of course we all know today that smoking severely affects the health of those that are long time smokers. It definitely affects the throat of singers and the lung capacity that is needed for their craft. Unfortunately, many of them simply go until they can go no more.

Anna Netrebko, for example, was interviewed by CBS News, and she stated that she was no stranger to smoky rooms. She’s an opera singer with a beautiful voice, but she doesn’t worry about the how smoking will affect her lungs. For her and many others the show goes on.

Should Public Schools Offer Performance Opportunities to Kids?

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In order for student to succeed in school, and in their life, they need to be exposed to all areas of careers in school. One of the areas in school that children are not seeing as much as they need to is in the performing arts. Students need to be exposed to singing and playing instruments in the band, or acting on a stage. Children who can find their voice improve their self-esteem, and it all starts in school. The younger children are when they learn how to perform for an audience, whether it is singing with a group of students, or playing the drums on the football field, the better they will do in their school career.
Most high schools do offer some type of performing arts courses, but they are not mandatory. These courses are electives that the students can take if they want to. Some middle schools are beginning to offer performing arts courses, such as drama and chorus, to students who want to expand their field of study. Students who attend middle school are often required to take these classes, and they should be required to take them in high school. Acting and performing are careers, and without the knowledge of what they involve, students will not know that they exist.

How to Embrace Broadway Without Breaking the Bank

admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing a live performance on Broadway. Ticket prices have skyrocketed along with everything else in the economy. There are several ways to see a Broadway show at a discount, however.

Located in Times Square, and at two other locations around Manhattan, booths are operated by a theater non-profit group which sells surplus tickets for same-day performances. While this may involve standing in line a bit to reach the ticket window, patience will be rewarded as there are many options available to see the hottest shows on Broadway at deep discounts. Theater owners and producers want full houses for productions. This was one of the first ways Broadway discounts were available.

There are several online sites offering discounts on tickets. The discount may not be as steep as same-day ticket booths, but for long-running shows which are big hits, it is important to fill least desired performance times with customers. Tony-award winning shows are often offered, so it is worth the research.

Finally, if you are spending some extended time in New York, many theaters will accept volunteer requests to usher a show or hand out programs. One will probably be standing during the show, but an extra seat many be available once the show begins allowing a little rest until resuming one’s position during intermission. Working during the show is a great way to see the top tickets for free!