By an interesting coincidence, two established theatre companies located in Queens and Brooklyn are opening revivals of former Broadway musicals.  Martin Denton is joined by Astoria Performing Arts Center director Brian Swasey and Tom Wojtunik, director for The Gallery Players in Park Slope, Brooklyn.  The musicals are, respectively, Triumph of Love and Man of la Mancha.

After a quick description of each play, Brian began by talking a bit about why he wanted to produce this play.  Having seen the origianl Broadway production, he felt it would have been so much better in a smaller, more intimate venue such as his.  Tom also looks at La Mancha as fitting easily into the intimate surroundings of Gallery Players’ space. 

Much of the discussion centered around how one produces a Broadway musical on an indie budget.  Both Tom and Brian depend greatly on the talent and ability of their respective musical directors to take responsibility for just about all things vocal.  The importance of a shared vision by each with his musical director makes the process work smoothly.

Before closing Tom and Brian talk about working in NYC but outside of Manhattan. They are in complete agreement that this is not a problem where casting is concerned since it is the work itself that is important and the desire for actors to want to appear in these specific roles, rather than where they are located.  Likewise, if the musical is one audiences have heard of or would like to see in an unamplified venue, they will come.

Episode Links:

• Triumph of Love on nytheatre.com
• Man of la Mancha on nytheatre.com
• Gallery Players website
• Astoria Performing Arts Center website

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 6:22 pm and is filed under Classic Plays and Musicals, Directors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.