Celtic Fyre
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
I can confirm that guests sitting at the stage-side reserve tables have been told not to take pictures. This has been going on since like late April, and the reason given was that the cameras were "distracting to the performers and/or doggies". Some of my buddies who take video and pics all of the time have been doing so just fine in the front row or other places in the theater. I even did a little video myself yesterday. I am curious where the folks were sitting that are being referred to here in this case.
*Unless some new policy has been put in place recently that I missed or is being selectively enforces.
**Also, maybe the doggies needed a break and there are no swings for them either.
*Unless some new policy has been put in place recently that I missed or is being selectively enforces.
**Also, maybe the doggies needed a break and there are no swings for them either.
Nicole said:
I challenge anyone to find me a cohesive plot that runs through all of "Singing In the Rain" yet it remains one of the most beloved of all musicals. And really why not, Boy meets girl, boy looses girl, boy gets girl back, boy does a tap dance in the rain. And that is the first act. After that the "plot" really comes off the rails.
But that was not the point. Back in the "Golden" era of music theater and movies the point was pure escapism. Wether it was the depression, WWII, or the begining of the Cold War (Im looking at you Sondheim) deep thouhgt was not really a requirement. So what were?
Tap shoes
Tinsle
Big moving scenery
a double hung McCandless light plot
2 Boys
2 Girls
countless extras
4 solos
2 duets
and 2 MASSIVE company numbers.
oh and some kind of book to tie the ill fitting songs together.
The point is, especially in musicals, don't try too hard, not every musical is "Chess" or "Les Mis"
Some are "Singing In the Rain" and "Dames at Sea"
What about Cats? That has to be the record holder for Broadway show with hardly any plot. And how long did that show last?
Cats is an Andrew Lloyd Webber show... I personally do not prefer Webber so I generally ignore him.
Interesting that he also does/did Phantom which is loaded to the hilt with plot. (One of the few Broadway's I've seen in NY)
Cats was a show where he wrote music to go along with T.S. Elliot's "Possum's Book of Practical Cats". He was only about sixteen years old. He had no plan of making it a musical, but Cameron Macintosh convinced him to turn it in to a musical. Initially, the budget for the show was not much more than Celtic Fyre. Many people liked it, though, especially because of the song "Memory" which was the only sung piece with original lyrics. Phantom is in an entirely different league, and is the highest grossing show in Broadway history, as well as the only musical to have its soundtrack in the top charts.
The reason this relates to Celtic Fyre, is that like Cats, the "storyline" is only done through one or two scenes that tie it together(Cats-Gives a reason for why cats are celebrating in a junkyard. Celtic Fyre- Gives a reason why people are in a bar having fun along with traditional Irish wedding dances.)
That's why most people don't complain about the storyline. It's so simple, and you can choose to ignore it. That goes for both shows. However, Phantom is similar, only because of its lack of cringe-worthy moments. (Also, Phantom is my favorite on Broadway and Celtic Fyre for off Broadway.)
The reason this relates to Celtic Fyre, is that like Cats, the "storyline" is only done through one or two scenes that tie it together(Cats-Gives a reason for why cats are celebrating in a junkyard. Celtic Fyre- Gives a reason why people are in a bar having fun along with traditional Irish wedding dances.)
That's why most people don't complain about the storyline. It's so simple, and you can choose to ignore it. That goes for both shows. However, Phantom is similar, only because of its lack of cringe-worthy moments. (Also, Phantom is my favorite on Broadway and Celtic Fyre for off Broadway.)
CastleOSullivan said:
You completely picked up on the analogy between cats and Celtic fyre that I was getting at. Thanks.
I was actually thinking specifically of Cats, when I wrote that post. Really, who doesn't love Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats? It was my daughter's first book of poetry.
Interestingly, Cats did so well that Broadway gave us Cats on Skates, as well (Starlight Express), which also ran forever. A plot is so totally not necessary.
Interestingly, Cats did so well that Broadway gave us Cats on Skates, as well (Starlight Express), which also ran forever. A plot is so totally not necessary.
CastleOSullivan said:
Not trying to start a thing here. Phantom was not the first show to have songs in the charts, that has been the case since the early days. While "Porgy and Bess" was an utter failure while he was alive, no one can discount Gershwin: You cannot deny his success. A better example would be perhaps Cole Porter's post war "Kiss Me, Kate." In the 1980's "Chess" had a top 20 song with "One Night In Bangkok."
Even Sondheim with "Send in the Clowns" had a hit. (Bless the Lyricist and His book. Bless the coming and going of Him. May His tempo cleanse the Broadway. May He keep the Theater for His people. (apologies to Frank Herbert))
But that is what is great about music theater, no two shows are alike. (Except JCS, Joseph, and Godspell, they are exactly the same... Oh, and Disney musicals... but I discount them on principle.)
Having said all this, I now must go listen to "Company" and "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum"
Zimmy
I meant the album as a whole. I think that's still correct.(But I could be wrong.) Of course others shows have had hits. Anyway, this might be worth a thread of its own. The point I was getting at is that Celtic Fyre has a great mix for most people, that's why it is so well received. The people behind this production seem to know the difference between a show for all ages and a kid-show. In my opinion, I think all family shows need to also appeal to the older crowd. They have the money after all. This does not mean producing a kids show and throwing random inappropriate "adult humor" in the middle of it. (I'm looking at you Entwined.) With a nod of approval, shows like Celtic Fyre, Secrets of Castle O'Sullivan, Imaginique, and Enchanted Laboratory come to mind.
chickenking said:I can confirm that guests sitting at the stage-side reserve tables have been told not to take pictures. This has been going on since like late April, and the reason given was that the cameras were "distracting to the performers and/or doggies". Some of my buddies who take video and pics all of the time have been doing so just fine in the front row or other places in the theater. I even did a little video myself yesterday. I am curious where the folks were sitting that are being referred to here in this case.
*Unless some new policy has been put in place recently that I missed or is being selectively enforces.
**Also, maybe the doggies needed a break and there are no swings for them either.
I was taking a video at the back of the theater. I doubt it would have bothered anybody back there. That row was empty. The usher that said something was new to the Abbeystone I think. I believe that one was working in the Globe Theater earlier this year. I know they are fairly strict about no filming in the Globe. Some even say no pictures at all, with or without flash. Everyone seems confused about the rules, and it can make even some of the nicest employees look rude. I would love to see someone else try this. I just don't want to try it again, and have the same person stop me again, especially when others just shrug it off.
At the last show I attended, on Friday, there were at least four people filming.
I got an update. Another usher knew who I was talking about and, told me they were new and didn't know any better. It's all good now.
PrincessArlenasDad said:
I've been told the last show is August 29th.
Hey, I had a conversation the other day with fellow fans that leads me to pose a question. Can you hear the dog whistles that blow at various points in the show to call the dogs offstage? I can hear them clear as day, and assumed they were using a lower frequency whistle than normal. But then it came out that I was the only person off the five in the conversation that could hear the whistle.
^No, I cannot. But Todd, are you struck with a desire to jump on stage and run behind the curtains when you hear it?
I sometimes hear the whistle... but I do know everytime a bell rings my mouth starts to water.