Fresh Off the Shelves: Broadway Musicals Inspired by Famous Novels

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Books are the best source for stories and to see them come to life whether on the silverscreen or on the stage is such a delight. Although there are adaptations that pale in comparison to their literary counterparts, there are those that live up to their titles. The following are some familiar tales turned to Broadway:

Wicked

Based on L. Frank Boum's "The Wizard of Oz", Wicked tells the story from the perspective Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) instead of Dorothy. With great songs sung by Broadway's best, such as Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, this show is certainly one of the highly praised novel adaptations.

Les Miserables

Les Miserables is one of the titles you are familiar with regardless if you're a theater fan or not. Victor Hugo's highly acclaimed historical novel, published in 1862, might be a handful to read (especially for non-bookworms) but the musical version will help you appreciate the novel's artistic depiction of injustice, heroism and love.

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Phantom of the Opera

Possibly Broadway's longest running play in history, who could forget Phantom of the Opera? This play, based on Gaston Leroux' 1911 novel of the same title, has been revived by directors multiple times and shown in over a hundred cities worldwide.

Hey there! I'm Joshua B. Eaves, theater geek and Blue Man Group fan. Subscribe to my blog to read more articles and stories about stage plays, musicals, and Broadway.

Different Faces: How to Avoid Being Typecast

First of all, what is typecasting and how does it affect your acting career? Being typecast is basically being constantly given roles that are essentially the same type of character. If you don’t want to be stuck playing similar roles in your acting career, then here are some ways you can avoid it:

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Be diverse

Be brave and adventurous when preparing your audition piece or choosing a character to portray. Add new roles to your repertoire and demonstrate how you can be somebody else and always strive to impress.

Don’t rebel

If you’re often cast as the goofy best friend or the antagonist, don’t try to go for roles that are the exact opposite. Take the leap from one role to another in strides to avoid biting off more than you can chew. Make sure the role you play suits you and don’t try to force it if it’s not.

Stray away from your comfort zone

One sure way to get typecast is to stay in your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know, you might discover something you’re really good at in the process.

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People may get the wrong idea about typecasting; it doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Getting typecast means that you have a certain look or acting style that is right for a part, and that could also be a good thing. Embrace every role that comes to you so that you will eventually find the actor you want to be.

Hey there! I am Joshua B. Eaves, Broadway enthusiast and big Blue Man Group fan. Subscribe to my blog to find more stories and articles about stage plays, theater and other related topics.

Acting on The Side: The Importance of Supporting Actors

Many have the wrong notion that supporting characters are merely sidekicks. What they don't understand is how important these "sidekicks" are, not only for the protagonist but also for the whole story. Here are just some of the reasons why supporting actors are awesome:

Loyalty

Without fail, supporting actors do as their title suggests. They support the hero or heroine and display irrevocable loyalty toward them. The supporting actor provides the audience with reasons why we should love the main character.

Relatable

Let's face it, the hero in every story, play and movie are the people we wish we could be. Realistically speaking, we can more easily relate with supporting cast because of this. Not all of us are given the chance to go on an adventure; more often than not, we're usually just caught up in someone else's adventure.  
 

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Moral compass
 
The protagonist is not perfect, and he doesn't really have to be because that's why he has a sidekick. The sidekick is the one who leads the main character back to the right path when he goes astray. He stops the hero from making poor decisions and even offers a different point of view. This adds depth and substance to any acting performance or story.  

Hello! I am Joshua B. Eaves, a Blue Man Group fan and theater geek. Subscribe to my blog for more stories on acting, theater, and Broadway.

Beyond Acting: The Importance of Props, Costumes, Lighting, and Sound in Theater

An actor's skill in acting is a vital component of a successful stage play, but it is not the only ingredient. For a story to be truly believable, actors also need the help of the following elements:

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Costume and props

What the characters are wearing and the props they hold onto on stage are referred to as visual cues. These cues are needed top establish a character. For example, a princess should wear a crown and a dress to imply her royal status. Props are also important because they can also be used to establish the setting of the play or can be used to introduce further a character (i.e. a policeman carrying a gun or a knight with a sword).  

Lighting

Lighting can be used to set the mood of the play or provide ambience. It gives depth and a suitable atmosphere for each scene. Think of what dim lighting can do: it gives off an eerie, scary feeling especially when combined with other elements of the performance.

Sound 

There are two variations of sound that can be experienced in the theater: background music and sound effects. Much like lighting, sounds can affect the mood or the atmosphere of a scene and helps induce emotion in the audience. It also helps in establishing the location, weather or time of day.

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Hey there! My name is Joshua B. Eeaves and I love theatrical productions, including performances from musicians like the Blue Man Group. Visit my Google+ page to learn more about theater, drama, and other related topics.

Sold out: The biggest Broadway hits of all time

Whenever you think of all the plays that graced Broadway, there are, for sure, several titles that easily pop into your head. Here is my list of the best Broadway hits of all time:

Wicked

Selected by viewers as the best musical of 2007, Wicked has broken box-office records around the world. This play tells the untold story of the “Wizard of Oz’s” Wicked Witch of the West, some time before Dorothy came to Oz. It is based on Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.”

Image Source: www.cnbc.com

Les Miserables

This is the longest running play in London. A Victor Hugo masterpiece, “Les Miserables” is winner of eight 1987 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The story is set in 19th Century France and tells the struggles of an ex-convict and his quest for redemption.

Cats

“Cats” is the second longest-running musical on Broadway. The musical has been presented in countries all over the world and has been translated into more than 20 languages. The story is focused on the Jellicle Cats and their life stories.

Image Source: www.cnbc.com

The Lion King

The musical is based on the 1994 Disney animated film, “The Lion King.” The Broadway show won six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is the recipient of “Winners of Many Viewers’ Choice Awards.” The story is about a young lion prince exiled after his father’s murder.

The Phantom of the Opera

The longest running show in Broadway history—started in 1988. It was a consistent sell-out and favorite in New York. Winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “The Phantom of the Opera” tells the story of a disfigured musical genius, who becomes obsessed with a beautiful soprano.

 Hi! I’m Joshua B. Eaves, a theater geek who found a career as a technical operations specialist in theatrical productions. Follow me on Twitter for more Broadway-related posts.

Be the Part: Top Qualities of a Great Actor

All the brightest stars both on screen and on stage started from the bottom, but they were able to rise and prove their acting prowess. So, how did they accomplished it? What does it take to become a great actor? Below are key qualities that an actor should have to achieve greatness:

Dedication and commitment
Anyone can be an actor, but not everyone wants to be one. If you are one of the people who really want to get into show business, then you have to understand the amount of discipline and effort it takes to succeed. Especially when playing roles outside of your comfort zone, it's important to leave all your inhibitions behind and become your character. That's what it takes to be dedicated to your career.

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Confidence
You can't shy away from the audience. A good actor shows no fear and will perform his best at all times. Believe in yourself and your audience will believe in you.

Talent
There are those born with the talent to act; then again, there are those who don't. But that doesn't mean they can never be great actors. Talent if not honed and developed will never blossom; likewise, a person who is not born to be an actor can learn to become one. All it takes is the right attitude.

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Professionalism
Respect and be respected. It's a simple rule that many of us tend to overlook. In show business, it's imperative that actors show professionalism toward his fellow actors and all other show staff in all phases of production.

Joshua B. Eaves here, and welcome to my theater blog. Check out more interesting facts and stories about the world of theater, including my admiration for the Blue Man Group from my Twitter account.

Sold Out: The Biggest Broadway Hits of All Time

Whenever you think of all the plays that graced Broadway, there are, for sure, several titles that easily pop into your head. Here is my list of the best Broadway hits of all time:

Wicked

Selected by viewers as the best musical of 2007, Wicked has broken box-office records around the world. This play tells the untold story of the “Wizard of Oz’s” Wicked Witch of the West, some time before Dorothy came to Oz. It is based on Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.”

Les Miserables

This is the longest running play in London. A Victor Hugo masterpiece, “Les Miserables” is winner of eight 1987 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The story is set in 19th Century France and tells the struggles of an ex-convict and his quest for redemption.

 Image Source: www.cnbc.com

Cats

“Cats” is the second longest-running musical on Broadway. The musical has been presented in countries all over the world and has been translated into more than 20 languages. The story is focused on the Jellicle Cats and their life stories.

The Lion King

The musical is based on the 1994 Disney animated film, “The Lion King.” The Broadway show won six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is the recipient of “Winners of Many Viewers’ Choice Awards.” The story is about a young lion prince exiled after his father’s murder.

The Phantom of the Opera

The longest running show in Broadway history—started in 1988. It was a consistent sell-out and favorite in New York. Winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “The Phantom of the Opera” tells the story of a disfigured musical genius, who becomes obsessed with a beautiful soprano.

Image Source: www.cnbc.com

Hi! I’m Joshua B. Eaves, a theater geek who found a career as a technical operations specialist in theatrical productions. Follow me on Twitter for more Broadway-related posts.