Back in the 70's I worked at a big dinner theater where we did Fiddler eight shows a week for about thirteen months which is 450 shows. I played every one of them. My least favorite show I did there was Camelot. I've played many of the older shows but not many of the more recent ones. Has anyone done "110 in the Shade" or "Blood Brothers" or "Once on this Island"?- good shows that I don't think are done very often. Another one that might have some issues being done today is " The Fantasticks".
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass whats everyones favourite musical
- Thread starter ellie42
- Start date
thanks bruce, i had forgotten about seeing Richard H is Camelot, once in the house, once backstage as the caterer.
I played "Blood Brothers" in '94 with Petula Clark.
I was happily surprised at how great she sounded. She was a much better singer than I remembered from her little 3 minute pop ditties on the radio in the '60s.
I'm doing Something Rotten this summer! Had my first rehearsal a few days ago. It's a good book that pays homage well to the great musicals of the past.
Idk...what's the shortest one, with the least number of songs? That would probably be my favorite.
Company (what a score!), Closer Than Ever, and Forever Plaid which helped me to buy the house we are still in and loving.
Playing this type of job is not for everyone. I worked with people who hated it and would soon quit. I lasted five years on a steady theater gig and finally left to freelance. I went back to sub at the same place about 15 years later and one of the guys I had worked with was still there- a career-long gig for him. I looked over at him at one point and forgot for a second what year it was! This work is good for what it is and definitely takes certain skills and a certain attitude and discipline. I have played most of the shows mentioned here at one time or another. Some were very enjoyable, some were a relief they didn't run longer than they did. You meet some interesting people and definitely collect some great stories. One more I wonder if anyone has played is "The Robber Bridegroom".
I'm updating this quote. I read that there has been a recent revival of the this show. The problem with the original staging is that one of the characters had to appear in blackface as part of the plot. The revival solves this issue by having the part played by two different actors, one white and one black- an obvious and clever solution. It gives a show with great music new life, which makes me happy.
This thread brings back a lot of memories. I also did this show with Ms. Clark and David Cassidy. They were excellent and it was a fun show although I didn't think the music was that great. One thing I remember is that the actors would occasionally forget to turn off their wireless mikes offstage which led to some interesting onstage improvisational dialogue.
Les Miserables, far and away my favorite. Probably the only musical I love. And that's probably because it's an opera at heart.
I have many favorite musicals but Ive never played one. Dang you TB, at my age I'm trying to whittle down my bucket list, not add to it!
Another show with great music and an almost operetta style is "Showboat" which has some really timeless old songs but because of some plot issues probably wouldn't play well with modern audiences without some pretty major story changes. Since it was written before the era of modern musical structure and style, it is a unique show to play.
I enjoyed 'Pippin". Not the best book but the music and staging were cool. I think I had three solos! (OK maybe more like four bars of ostinato, but still.)
