From Hollywood to Broadway: Stories I Enjoyed Onscreen and Onstage

Just like my love for theatre, I have also fostered a fondness for movies. With their similar way of storytelling, it’s not difficult to be a fan of both. Here are some of the musicals I enjoyed onscreen and onstage.

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Legally Blonde

“Oh my god, you guys!” This high-pitched entrance will always belong to the great Elle Woods, the sorority girl who entered law school to win back her ex-boyfriend. As the story unfolds, Elle finds great friends, faces challenges, and realizes her true calling. Don’t fret, rom-com lovers— the dorky Emmett is a darling.

The Producers

Did you know that this record-breaking Tony awardee was originally a movie? The story is about two producers who plan a get-rich-quick scheme by overselling interests in Broadway that backfires. The hilarious turn on Leo, Max and Ulla as they organize Broadway’s biggest flop is surely fun to watch whichever the form.

The Lion King

This Disney classic is just as magical onstage. With songs crafted by Elton John, Tim Rice and Hans Zimmer, it is undoubtedly one of the best bets to transition from screen to the stage. The wonderful animation turned into colorful costumes that will bring audiences to the Pride Land. “Circle of Life” live is always a breathtaking performance.

Do you have other suggestions on movies that transitioned to theatre? Tell me your suggestions so I could check them out.

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Hi! Joshua B. Eaves (my friends call me Josh) here, a technical operations specialist for local theatrical productions and an aficionado of the performing arts and experimental music. I’m true-blue Chicagoan. To know more about me, follow this page.

New York's 'Sleep No More' is Interactive Theater at its Finest

Interactive theater, like its name implies, is a performance wherein the audience is involved. By “involved,” I don't mean that the audience claps or an audience member is called to the stage once in a while to be part of a comedy skit or to be a volunteer for a magician's trick. Often, in interactive theater, it's the audience and not the cast that's the star of the show.

I've been to a few interactive theater productions, and I've always had a blast. “Sleep No More” by U.K. theater troupe Punchdrunk is one of my favorites.

“Sleep No More” is possibly the most famous and the most successful interactive theater production in the world. “Sleep No More” combines elements of Shakespeare's “Macbeth,” Daphne du Maurier's “Rebecca,” and film noir to create a truly one-of-a-kind theater experience. 

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The setting is a spooky jazz age hotel, the McKittrick, which in actuality is an empty five-floor New York City warehouse furnished and fitted out to look like a hotel. Audience members are required to wear a white, Venetian beak mask, the kind worn by plague doctors in olden times, to help differentiate them from the actors. They are also requested to remain silent for the duration of the entire experience.

There is no set program to follow. Audience members can explore McKittrick at their own pace, discovering plot points by peeking through doorways, opening drawers, shaking stuffed animals, or by stumbling upon “situations” or scenes played by the cast of “Sleep No More.” All in all, there are approximately 100 scenes, taking place in lunatic asylums, graveyards, dark hallways, bedrooms, and ballrooms. I'd rather not give too much away, but trust me when I say that these scenes aren't just for watching. Many of them require audience interaction of a very unsettling sort.

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“Sleep No More” is equivalent to a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book for grown-ups, one that you can not only read but walk into again and again. Unlike the doomed Manderley estate on which “Sleep No More's” bar is based, if you missed an important plot point or simply want to go through the experience again, you can always come back. There's always something new and exciting (or terrifying) to discover. 

Joshua B. Eaves here, Blue Man Group fan and theater technician. For more articles like this, please subscribe to my blog.

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.”

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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.

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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.