It struck me this past weekend during our production of Kiss Me, Kate that even though I have seen many classic musicals in a variety of productions, I have never really seen them complete until our own productions here at Light Opera Works. We began to explore this rep a few years ago and I really am discovering them for the first time.
Productions I have seen in the past or participated in (I was a dancer in a production of Kiss Me, Kate at the Waukesha Civic Theater in Wisconsin when I was 18) were always performed with reduced casts and orchestra, and many cuts.
Because of Light Opera Works' recent performances of Camelot, Sound of Music, South Pacific and Kiss Me, Kate the true essence of these works have been revealed to me for the first time. Yes, the melodies are great - but hearing and seeing them complete is a different experience.
Everyone loved "Too Darn Hot" and I am convinced that it stopped the show not only because of Kenny Ingram's dancing and Rudy Hogenmiller's choreography, but because Rudy made no cuts. The number was written to be a showstopper - and it was - because it was played complete.
I hope readers of this blog will consider attending Light Opera Works' production of Oklahoma! in December to experience a classic American musical as you have never seen or heard it before. I think you too will discover for the first time how great these works are.
Posted in
Jim Ginsburg | Mon, 06/18/2007 - 12:33am
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