Overview
For each clip, read the description, watch the clip, process it through our discussions this semester and write out answers to each prompt. SInce these are just clips/trailers, you may benefit from finding a plot synopsis online to put this part in context.
1. Hadestown is a new musical, based on the Greek myth “Orpheus and Eurydice” in which Orpheus--a human singer who has been touched by the gods--travels to the underworld to convince Hades to return his love, Euridice.
Watch this video, paying particular attention to the Lighting choices, including brightness and color.
Hadestown Tony Performance 2019
“Wait for Me” 4:32
- a. What do you like about this clip? Would you like to see the full show based on this clip? If so, why?
- b. How would you describe the style of this show, based on the clip? Are there any other shows (or movies, music, or art) this reminds you of?
- c. When does the lighting color palette change? Why?
- d. What role do The Fates (three women) play?
- e. Are there any elements of the Lighting design that you think help to tell the story/tell us about the world and the characters?
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2. This scene in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder shows our protagonist ‘hero’ navigating the social norms of Victorian England. In this example of a ‘Comedy of Manners’ the woman he has been courting (for her influence and power--his distant cousin) comes to propose marriage, while the woman he has been seeing in secret dares not be noticed.
Watch this video, paying particular attention to the actors Playing Objective, including tactics and expectations.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Tony Performance 2014
“I’ve Decided to Marry You” 4:57
- a. What do you like about this clip? Would you like to see the full show based on this clip? If so, why?
- b. How would you describe the style of this show, based on the clip? Are there any other shows (or movies, music, or art) this reminds you of?
- c. What is Monty’s objective at the top of the scene? How does that change?
- d. What is Phoebe’s (Blue dress) objective at the top of the scene? Is her expectation met?
- e. What is Sibella’s (Red dress) objective at the top of the scene? When does it change? In what ways does the actor play the competing objectives?
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3. Warhorse is a play with music, about the relationship between a boy and his horse, set in England before and during WWI.
Watch this video, focusing objectively on the concept Suspension of Disbelief.
Warhorse Kennedy Center Trailer 1:59
- a. What do you like about this clip? Would you like to see the full show based on this clip? If so, why?
- b. How would you describe the style of this show, based on the clip? Are there any other shows (or movies, music, or art) this reminds you of?
- c. Since Suspension of Disbelief is such an important element of Theatre, why do you think the design team for this show chose to have the puppeteers so visible?
- d. Even though the puppeteers are so visible, were there moments that you found yourself believing (even for a split second) that the horse was real? If so, what was it that pulled you in?
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4. Dear Evan Hanson is a musical about a letter that was never meant to be read, turning into a lie that was never meant to be told, trapping our protagonist into a choice between social acceptance and what he knows to be right.
Watch this video, paying particular attention to the Production Design (videos, costuming, lighting) choices, including projections and staging.
“Waving Through a Window” 4:44
- a. What do you like about this clip? Would you like to see the full show based on this clip? If so, why?
- b. How would you describe the style of this show, based on the clip? Are there any other shows (or movies, music, or art) this reminds you of?
- c. When do people enter this previously-solo song? What role do they play?
- d. One of the main themes of this show is how the technology that is meant to connect us can make us feel isolated. How do the set and projections help further that? How does the choreography help?
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5. The Play That Goes Wrong is a farcical comedy of errors, upon errors, upon errors.
The well-meaning (fictitious) and clearly amateur Cornwall Drama Society is clearly outmatched by this (also fictitious) British mystery play “The Murder at Haversham Manner.”
Watch this video, paying particular attention to the Set and Prop Design choices.
The Play That Goes Wrong the Royal Variety Performance 2015 9:54
- a. What do you like about this clip? Would you like to see the full show based on this clip? If so, why?
- b. How would you describe the style of this show, based on the clip? Are there any other shows (or movies, music, or art) this reminds you of?
- c. Do the Set and Props help in the telling of the story, or do they hurt?
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6. There is not much joy in the lives of the characters in The Color Purple. And yet, in this medley of songs from the musical, the characters sing out their gratitude for their gifts and lives. Watch this video, paying particular attention to the Confidence of the performers, and the role Joy plays in their telling of this story.
The Color Purple Tony Performance 2016 5:10
- a. What do you like about this clip? Would you like to see the full show based on this clip? If so, why?
- b. How would you describe the style of this show, based on the clip? Are there any other shows (or movies, music, or art) this reminds you of?
- c. What can we learn from the overt confidence of the performers in this piece? Can you imagine what it would be like if they did not commit fully?
- d. What can we learn from this clip about the role of Joy in artistic expression?
- e. Can you go through the rest of your day with the spirit of Cynthia Orivo’s (yellow pants) song “I’m Here”? Take a deep breath. Hold your head up, put your shoulders back, and look life straight in the eye? And SIIIIIIIINNNNNGGGGG out?