Project # 3: Too Hot to Handle

1. NYC TODAY - Girls in Trouble by: Jonathan Reynolds




2. NAKED BROADWAY - Equus By: Peter Shaffer

Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway

September 18th, 2008 - February 8, 2009

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths

Directed By: Thea Sharrock

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This production of Peter Shaffer's production of Equus was met with some controversy due to the actor known for playing the character Harry Potter in family film, was to appear full frontal in the production for ten minutes. It had already recieve controversy before it moved to Broadway, in London. That controversy transferred over to the United States. Most of the controversy was seen with the particular actor being nude. If it was another, not as well known actor, I do not believe the controversy would have been so high.


3. GAY BROADWAY - Santa Clause is Coming Out! By: Jeffrey Solomon

Kirk Theatre, Off-Broadway

Diverse City Theatre Company, Penguin Rep Theatre, and Shotgun Productions

Starring: Jeffery Solomon

Directed By: Joe Brancato

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Santa Clause is Coming Out! has been met with a broad variety of controversy due to the shows main topic. Within this one man show, Santa Claus is portrayed as a homosexual. Many people have come up to the playwright, and conveyed their hatred and disapproval of the message that was being conveyed. The whole point of the show is too shock people and to give this reaction. Jeffrey Soloman has stated in an interview that these people don't realize the "play is playing out in front of" them.


4. RACIST BROADWAY - Porgy and Bess Music by: George Gershwin Book by: DuBose Heyward Lyrics by: Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward

Alvin Theatre, Broadway

October 10, 1935

Starring: Anne Brown and Todd Duncan

Directed By: George Gershwin

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Porgy and Bess was an extremely controversial play when it comes to race. Many black people saw it as stereotyping black people as people who lived in poverty, took drugs, and handled things with fist fights. Gershwin was seen as a the "bad" person in this situation. Even members of the original broadway cast were concerned about the message the show was bringing about their culture.


5. BUSTED: (RAIDED OR CLOSED): The Cradle will Rock by: Marc Blizstein

Maxine Elliot Theatre, Broadway

1938

Starring: Howard da Silva and Olive Stanton

Directed by: Orson Welles

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This production was shut down, according the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), due to "budget cuts". However, it was believed that it was actually shut down due to the musicals communists undertones. The theatre was padlocked and surrounded with policemen. Due to this, Orson Welles and his partner John Houseman found another theatre and planned the show to be performed by the writer, Marc Blizstein, from the stage, while actors would stand and sing from the audience. This created a moment in theatre history that will be remembered for ages to come.


6. NEA 4:

UNCONVENTIONAL THEATRE



1. Man of La Mancha


Book By: Dale Wasserman Music By: Mitch Leigh Lyrics By: Joe Darion


PHAMALY (Physical Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League)


July 23, 2009 - August 16, 2009
(PHOTO Right: Regan Linton is Aldonza/Dulcinea in PHAMALY's production of Man of La Mancha)

Director: Steve Wilson Musical Director: Donna Debreceni Choreographers: Debbie Stark and Cindy Bray

http://picasaweb.google.com/phamaly/ManOfLaManchaPHAMALY2009?feat=email#

This theatre allows actors, singers, and dancers who are physically handicapped a chance to showcase their passion and love for the theatrical world. They allow for the sets and construction of the play to suit the needs of the actors playing the roles. They also teach people how to accomodate to actors that may be physically challenged in some way. The use of these handicapped actors and performers is what makes them "unconventional".

2. The Tempest

By: William Shakespeare

The Independant Eye Theatre Company

Sept. 18 - Oct. 18, 2009

Directed By: Conrad Bishop

(Photo Right: Independant Eye's Masked Actors in a production of The Tempest.)

http://www.independenteye.org/plays/tempest.html

This piece is a form of unconventional theatre because the production not only includes some live actors, it also includes masks and some puppets portraying the characters. The use of the puppets and masks is what makes this particular production of The Tempest unconventional. Normally, the play is down with just people-with no masks-playing the roles on stage. This company prides itself in the use of puppets in all of their productions.

3. Pippin'

Book by: Roger O. Hirson; Music and Lyrics by: Stephen Scwartz

Deaf West Theatre

February 15 - 21, 2009

Directed and Choreographed by: Jeff Calhoun; Musically Directed by: Steven Landau

Photo Right: Tyrone Giordano and Michael Arden are deaf actors who star in Deaf West Production of Pippin'.

http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/reviews/01-2009/pippin_17172.html

This production is unconventional due to its use of all deaf actors. While the deaf actors on stage are signing the script, rather than speaking, someone backstage is saying and singing the lines the way they were written. This creates a true form of unconventional theatre. They are adapting these script into American Sign Language for the deaf and audilly handicapped.

4. Romeo and Juliet

By: William Shakespeare

Theatre Breaking Through Boundaries

March 5-April 6, 2008

Directed by: George Ashiotis

Photo Right: Visually impaired actors Emily Young and Gregg Mozgala portray Juliet and Romeo in TBTB's production of Romeo and Juliet.

http://www.tbtb.org/romeo.htm

This production of the classic Romeo and Juliet is unconventional in its use of visually impaired actors. This company employs actors who are in some way impaired visually. The actors do the role as written but still struggling some with their disabilty. This form of unconventional theatre is difficult due to the safety of the actors. Theatre Breaking Through Boundaries is a prestigous company that prides themselves in this effort.

5. Macbett

By: Eugene Ionesco

Sam Houston State University Dept. of Theatre and Dance

March 20-21, 2009

Directed by: Dave McTier

Photo Right: Jeremy portrays the role of Duncan in a walkabout production of Ionesco's Macbett.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30093163&id=1550100032

This production of Ionesco's Macbett is unconventional in being a walkabout show. Basically, the whole production takes place outdoors and the play moves from location to location with the audience following them. This gives the audience a feeling of being right in the action. The location of the production and the movement and forcing the audience to move with it is what makes this particular production unconventional.