Play Suggestions: IF you had to choose and why

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IF you had to choose and why

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2918
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 2:18pm
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Topic: IF you had to choose and why

Posted By: Bella
Subject: IF you had to choose and why
Date Posted: 1/17/08 at 5:10pm

I have been given a choice (sort of) between the following three plays.

Jake's Women

Dancing at Lughnasa

One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest

Opinions? good, bad and ugly. I would be brought on as Production Manager handling all tech from costumes to set construction. The research I have done tells me to say thanks but no thanks. Sway me otherwise?

Replies:

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:22pm

We have done all three of these in recent years at our theatre. I would have to state I would immediately dismiss Dancing at Lugnasa. There just was not much audience appeal. Our group did a great job with the show but not even Mario Andretti is going to win the Indianapolis 500 in a second hand Dodge Dart. You can only do as much as the show allows and that show just didn't allow much. Both Jake and Cuckoo are good shows. Cuckoo is a bit more cutting edge and is very male heavy. Jake is a good all around show but you realy need a solid Jake. Tech wise none of these shows provided too much in the way of difficulties. Jake had a nice turntable that turned the entire middle of the set but nothing bad. Cuckoo's only difficulty was making the wash table look like it was heavy enough that only Cheif could lift it. Lugnasa was the simplest of the sets.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 1/18/08 at 4:02pm

Just for the record, LOL, I love "Dancing at Lughnasa"

different strokes LOL

Posted By: Bella
Date Posted: 1/18/08 at 4:18pm

Tristanrobin: Will you tell me why you LOVE it?

pdavis: Thank you for your feedback.

I am really struggling with this decision. I'll miss not having my summer theater gig, but at the same time the sacrifices made by my family (very willingly) makes it so I really need to be drawn to the project. I cannot do it, just to do it.

Thanks again.

Posted By: DWolfman
Date Posted: 1/19/08 at 1:50pm

Of the three, I must admit, LUGHNASA is my favorite also. I like the theatricality of the narrator/young boy role, the humor in the boyfriend role, the highly defined and challenging female roles, the encapsulation of a certain period of place and time as well as the many options for creative staging and set construction.

Having said that, I will also have to agree with pdavis that it does not have a general appeal to the masses, the period and cultural items needed would be problematic, the Irish accents for the entire cast would be difficult to balance and still hope the audience can understand.

CUCKOO, as also stated, has intense interplay that may limit audiences as well as the numerous (and some quite physically and talent specific) male roles as well as a history of movie and theatre productions that some may be put off by. However, that could also be a draw for recognition.

JAKE, while having its own problems, would allow for more director interpretation in staging and set. It is not real well known for a Simon play, but his name alone would be a draw, as well as the characters and writing. The cast is female-role-heavy which is always a good thing, but the male has an enormous task to take on. It has a variety of ages and for the most part is family friendly.

You know your options as to cast, audience, tech restrictions, and publicity better than we do, so we can only offer shotgun responses. Hope some of these hit home.

PS Please do let us know which you decide on and how it goes.

-DW-

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Even a man who is pure of heart...

Posted By: lynda gee
Date Posted: 2/02/08 at 2:49pm

I have read and/or seen all three, and my favorite is "Jake's Women."

Posted By: JohnnyOneNote
Date Posted: 2/08/08 at 11:43pm

One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest - But then I always have wanted to direct this show.