In need of a musical director ...

[Josh]

I'm directing a musical later this year for PTB and we are in need of a musical director ... I have someone in mind for vocals but I have no idea about someone do conduct or do the orchestra.

If you feel like you're the person, or know of someone, or know of someone who might know of someone - please let me know! Just reply to this thread.

Thanks ^_^

[Buff]

One day I’d like to MD a show, but not in the near future. I’m too busy and enjoy being on stage too much

The people I can think of would be ones you would know of anyway – Petrina Janhz, Christine Clarke, Peter Quigley & Matt Dudfield all spring to mind.

By the way, what’s the show?

Buff

[Buff]

I checked PTB's website and have seen that the show is "A Chorus Line".

Buff

[howies]

I think they will need more than a musical director... how about 8 men who can sing/dance & act simutaneously?? Only 2 or 3 possibilities in Lonnie spring to mind.

This is the very reason that the show has never been produced in Hobart - whilst the state can produce women who are the triple threat, it lacks the population base to produce the men.

However, best of luck!

And why doesn't someone consider asking Matthews Tyson to suggest a few MD names? Try Michael Stocks (he did fabulous work on Les Mis) Connor O'Brien... or how about Judy Bordin!

[Buff]

As far as I'm aware, Michael is based in Sydney at the moment. Conor & Judy are both excellent musicians, but do they have any vocal background? A MD not only has to lead the orchestra but teach the vocals to the cast. I don't know much about the show "A Chorus Line" and whether there are any ensemble songs, but it's not easy teaching songs to groups.

Buff

[howies]

Well, perhaps PTB could do what LMS did when they got Matt and Andrea to team up, with Matt doing the orchestra and Andrea the vocals.

Personally, I think someone like Conor or Judy - or someone else - would be a good move. It's high time that local companies consistently developed new talent, instead of relying on the "usual suspects".

And ditto this suggestion re directors and choreographers. It is great to see that PTB is giving new talent a leg up (Congratulations Josh!). Perhaps some of the other companies around town could take a leaf out of their book? ;-)

[Buff]

LMS also did it in "Guys and Dolls" with Matt Dudfield and Christine Clarke.

I agree, too, that new directors, MD's and choreographers need to be encouraged and developed for the future.

Maybe a shadowing/mentoring programming could be developed by one of the groups or, heaven forbid, the groups could work together in developing a programme where a person can get exposure to the various jobs and roles. When I was in “Fiddler on the Roof”, Mrs Buff asked the Stage Manager if she could sit with her during rehearsals to see what she did and what her role involved.

Buff

[jackjackjack]

buff said:

Mrs Buff asked the Stage Manager if she could sit with her during rehearsals to see what she did and what her role involved.

I've always wondered that but I've never been game to ask. I mean, how much management can the stage need?

Don't mind me.

James

[Talissa]

Oh, stages are wild creatures who need to be handled with an iron fist otherwise they'll never lie flat for the whole show!

[Josh]

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

I did think of the usual suspects but LMS affiliated MDs would be involved in the concert and possibly Little Shop Of Horrors so would not be available.

It was suggested to me that I approach Mathews Tyson to MD so I am looking into that. I did ask Lyndell Geeves if she would Vocal MD ... we may actually be looking into doing the show without an orchestra so that could eliminate the need for an orchestra MD. Judy and Connor are both possibilities though, so I should look into that.

Thanks for the support guys ... as for the 8 male triple threats ... we're looking at not having that many males anyway - it wont be a classic version of the musical to say the least.

I do agree that bringing in and giving a chance to new directors, choreographers and even performers is nothing but a good thing. It's part of the reason PTB was formed ... I mean I believe that I have the ability to direct and have done so in Proteger but what would my chances be if I just went to LMS and asked to do their show ... The shadowing idea is a great one ... but it's the small town mindset of company rivalry that no-one seems to be able to get over.

[howies]

Hey Zipp,

I think it would be a mistake to not go with 8 men. If you are going to commit to A Chorus Line, and it's the first time it will have been seen in Lonnie, then personally I think you have to go with the show as it was intended to be seen.

LMS did that in Godspell (gave male roles to females) and ended up with a show top heavy with females. This particularly showed up in the vocal lines. Yes, it was a pretty good production, but it could have been so much better if it had been balanced.

Of course, this is my personal opinion. Best of luck with the show.

[mitzi]

For what it's worth, Zipp, I agree with Howies.

It's also a pity in doing the show that you won't be allowed to use some of the newer material written for the movie version - there are some great songs in the movie that aren't part of the original show. But hey, that happens all the time. Look at Grease and Sound of Music and Fames and.... etc etc....