Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Moon Over Buffalo

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Squeegle
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Joined: 3/20/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 11

Topic: Moon Over Buffalo
Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:33pm

I am directing Moon Over Buffalo. Does anyone out there have any advice for me??? I am a first time director...so I want all the advice I can get.

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pdavis69
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Joined: 3/26/06
Location: United States
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Posts: 437

Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:47pm

My biggest advise would be to make sure you know your material very well. Know the show. Know the characters. There is not much worse than coming into an audition for a director that realy hasn't a clue what part belongs to who. Read your script until you are almost sick of it then bring it to life. The actors will be looking to you for guidance and directions so make sure you know what you are talking about.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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belle
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Joined: 9/12/06
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Posts: 75

Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:29pm

This is one of my favorite shows.

You need a ground plan of the set with all the exits and furniture. The one in the script may not work on your stage. If you are going to have different levels in the greenroom (fun during the chase scene), be sure to take that into account when you block.

You also need to figure out how you are going to do the opening Cyerno scene and a quick shift into the greenroom. Can you do it in front of the curtain and open it to the green room?

What about the Private Lives set piece? You need a good idea of how it will be set up. Will there be actual entrances from the back?

If you have a set designer, you need to get the basics worked out before you try to block the show.

Have fun!

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Squeegle
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Joined: 3/20/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 11

Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:39pm

I don't believe we will be able to do the balcony for the private lives scene. I was thinking about doing it in front of the curtain...as well as the first scene that is Cyrano. We can add wings to our stage...so that is a possibility for the scene with private lives...and I would have actors enter from the side of the stage. Do you see any major problems with this?? I know a balcony would be awesome...but if it can't be done...would this be a suitable alternative?? It will work well for the Cyrano scene at the beginning...but will it be ok for the end with private lives?? What do you think? Your input is greatly appreciated!!

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SpenceKenzer
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Joined: 1/23/09
Location: Canada
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Posts: 71

Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:48pm

There was a wonderful TV documentary made about the inaugural production of this play. The documentary's title is "Moon Over Broadway". It was very intriguing to see the play in development.

I concur with the suggestions of both pdavis69 and belle.

Take some time to get the sword fighting scene right. If you have a fencer or fencing club nearby, engage them to at least get you started; this couple has to look like they've been stage sword fighting for years!

Take care on the drunk scenes -- remember, less is more.

When our CT did this show, I got to play the lead (George). It was a blast! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Since you're a first-time director, and you're directing a farce, I have only one piece of advice: avoid "pizza" acting (that is, no hamming, and nothing cheesy). In my opinion the characters in a farce must play everything with deadly seriousness and intent; the audience will ROTFL if they do. In a farce there is a tendency to "play to the audience" for laughs, which is fine as long as it's not overdone. Again: less is more. Make sure the actors are playing to each other and not directly to the audience.

Enjoy that play! (I'm sure you will!)

--------------------<*>
Saludos, my dahlinks, and you know who you are ... !

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DFTDONNA
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 1/25/07
Location: United States
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Posts: 8

Posted: 3/26/09 at 12:16am

We did Moon on a stage that did not allow for any real set changes. For Private Lives scene, we mounted some simulated brick wall boards from Menards on stands that could be carried in and set in the middle of the stage dividing the stage into the green room behind and the new "stage" in front. We put a planter box of flowers as a T down the middle of the stage to divide it into two balconies. We lit just the front of the stage and kept the green room behind dark. After Private Lives, we just removed the brick walls and the flowers and we were back in the green room. It worked great.

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
Squeegle Player Joined: 3/20/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Topic: Moon Over Buffalo Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:33pm
	I am directing Moon Over Buffalo. Does anyone out there have any advice for me??? I am a first time director...so I want all the advice I can get.
	MK

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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:47pm
	My biggest advise would be to make sure you know your material very well. Know the show. Know the characters. There is not much worse than coming into an audition for a director that realy hasn't a clue what part belongs to who. Read your script until you are almost sick of it then bring it to life. The actors will be looking to you for guidance and directions so make sure you know what you are talking about.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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belle Star Joined: 9/12/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 75	Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:29pm
	This is one of my favorite shows. You need a ground plan of the set with all the exits and furniture. The one in the script may not work on your stage. If you are going to have different levels in the greenroom (fun during the chase scene), be sure to take that into account when you block. You also need to figure out how you are going to do the opening Cyerno scene and a quick shift into the greenroom. Can you do it in front of the curtain and open it to the green room? What about the Private Lives set piece? You need a good idea of how it will be set up. Will there be actual entrances from the back? If you have a set designer, you need to get the basics worked out before you try to block the show. Have fun!
	IP Logged

Squeegle Player Joined: 3/20/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:39pm
	I don't believe we will be able to do the balcony for the private lives scene. I was thinking about doing it in front of the curtain...as well as the first scene that is Cyrano. We can add wings to our stage...so that is a possibility for the scene with private lives...and I would have actors enter from the side of the stage. Do you see any major problems with this?? I know a balcony would be awesome...but if it can't be done...would this be a suitable alternative?? It will work well for the Cyrano scene at the beginning...but will it be ok for the end with private lives?? What do you think? Your input is greatly appreciated!! mk
	MK
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SpenceKenzer Star Joined: 1/23/09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 71	Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:48pm
	There was a wonderful TV documentary made about the inaugural production of this play. The documentary's title is "Moon Over Broadway". It was very intriguing to see the play in development. I concur with the suggestions of both pdavis69 and belle. Take some time to get the sword fighting scene right. If you have a fencer or fencing club nearby, engage them to at least get you started; this couple has to look like they've been stage sword fighting for years! Take care on the drunk scenes -- remember, less is more. When our CT did this show, I got to play the lead (George). It was a blast! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Since you're a first-time director, and you're directing a farce, I have only one piece of advice: avoid "pizza" acting (that is, no hamming, and nothing cheesy). In my opinion the characters in a farce must play everything with deadly seriousness and intent; the audience will ROTFL if they do. In a farce there is a tendency to "play to the audience" for laughs, which is fine as long as it's not overdone. Again: less is more. Make sure the actors are playing to each other and not directly to the audience. Enjoy that play! (I'm sure you will!)
	--------------------<*> Saludos, my dahlinks, and you know who you are ... !
	IP Logged

DFTDONNA Walk-On Joined: 1/25/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 3/26/09 at 12:16am
	We did Moon on a stage that did not allow for any real set changes. For Private Lives scene, we mounted some simulated brick wall boards from Menards on stands that could be carried in and set in the middle of the stage dividing the stage into the green room behind and the new "stage" in front. We put a planter box of flowers as a T down the middle of the stage to divide it into two balconies. We lit just the front of the stage and kept the green room behind dark. After Private Lives, we just removed the brick walls and the flowers and we were back in the green room. It worked great.
	IP Logged

Topic: Moon Over Buffalo( Topic Closed)