I would like to hear from you.  Pros, cons, production challenges, vocal challenges, scene design ideas, etc...

 

Thanks, Dana

this invariably become a logistic nightmare & they loose that seamless scene changes that the production requires. [Where more than 30 seconds - is far too long!]. Where a much more stylised & simpler multi setting, would have achieved the desired results.

Also with the over all level of lighting wash, they opt to dim it, rather than filter out the colour not required. Which might look great from the front row, but not from the back of the Gods! thus not allowing the shadows to be utilised, as one would with settings in the candle light era.

Furter as this was the time of the great unwashed. The Ladies of the night, especially in their costumes, make up & appearance. Looked like they just stepped out of a fashion plate.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

The set they built at HHS was nothing short of amazing.  For ALL practical purposes the ONLY thing they didn't have were the hydraulically operated barricade pieces BUT they DID use people INSIDE the set pieces and you'd have sworn that these all came on and together automatically as they did in the original.    AND oddly enough, they had the revolving stage.  When I saw it in New York they had the long front automatic sidewalk from side to side PLUS the revolve.  BUT all touring versions I've ever seen (4 - 5 more times) only had the revolve.  They even have great fly space and did the amazingly complex SUICIDE scene with Javert where he jumps from the bridge and it flys up and with the revolve and GREAT lighting, it looked as good to me as the original version.  AMAZING at least.  But I have to tell you this WAS an amazing show.  The kid who played Jean Valjean was the same who played the Beast last year that I did the makeup effects for.  At 17-18 years old, he was most impressive.  His Bring Him Home solo was INCREDIBLY good.  I knew the kid could sing, but he was awesome in this.  You can check out YouTube and someone has posted a bunch of clips from the show on there.  http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=huntsville+high+school+les+miz&search_type=    or  just SEARCH HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL LES MIZ and you'll get a listing and  can watch some of them.  They were apparently filmed on a phone camera so they're washed out but you can see and hear.  PLUS they have a link to show how they built the revolving stage.  And again, bear in mind that this school's budget is huge.  Last year they spent well into about $56,000 dollars - $11,000 for the backdrops alone.  But it was well received as was this one, and the money was recouped EASILY.

 

It's a GREAT show.  Some of the music WAS impeccibly altered by the music director when keys needed to be changed to accommodate some singers but it was ARTFULLY handled and had anyone who didn't know the show as much as I do, heard it, they'd not know.  I have this show practically memorized both lyrically and musically and I could tell a few times when the music director shifted gears to change keys to accommodate a change so that these young voices could handle the songs.  BUT for the most part it was totally intact.  I RECOMMEND that if you take this on, there is much you can do without a huge budget but LONG RANGE PLANNING should be the order of the day if you do.  Vocally it's demanding.  Set wise, it's demanding.  Costumes are very adaptable and can be made to look perfect for the show with some specific things being needed - some uniforms, Javert's costume (coat, top hat, etc.).  THIS version Valjean didn't sport the beards.  And you know it was a perfect decision by the director NOT to try to use one.  Now if you have an adult who can grow one that can be whitened as you go, fine.  But this kid was 17 and they did the entire show without it.  And it was NOT one bit distracting.  We expect to see that but it didn't take away from a superb performance by this young man.

 

EXCELLENT show to do - but BE PREPARED IF YOU DO. NOT easy musically, not a piece of cake in terms of $$, time, sets, costumes and so forth.  But lucrative on the returns you can earn from it's popularity.  GOOD LUCK if you do decide to do it.  BIG JOB of that there is no doubt.

 

TonyDi

 

 

If you are interested, please let me know.  The show itself is one of the most challenging I have ever directed, but well worth the effort.

 

If someone wanted to use our stuff, the job would be 75% less.  We have rifles, the runaway cart, gate for Rue Plumet, barricade, cart for Do You Hear the People sing, costumes, etc.  The only thing a company would need to complete the sets would be a few tables and chairs.