Tonight, the London smash and Broadway revival of La Bete opens at the Music Box Theatre for a limited run. Directed by Matthew Warchus and starring Tony winners David Hyde Pierce and Mark Rylance as well as British TV icon Joanna Lumley, the show looks like a comedic romp from its awesome preview video (click HERE to see it). I thought I'd take a look at how the show's logo fits the show it is advertising.
There are really two logos, though closely related. First is the icon: a white background with black and primary colors that form a face along with the title. The image is clear... a clown of sorts, and likely an old time one, given the crown, not one of the Ringling Brothers type. The style, "painted/smudged", suggests a hurried/harried application of the clown make up. That frenzied feel certainly plays into the reputation of clever and frantic comedy that the work has. By itself, it works, but may not be enough to entice viewers.
The other logo, that adorns the Playbill and show card, as well as the street level advertising at the theatre, really works, though. Smartly, the image is of the three stars as we know them: Pierce and Lumley would certainly appeal to theatre goers who like to see their favorite TV stars, while Rylance and Pierce would appeal to theatre goers who like to see accomplished stage actors. Smart move, especially considering that the last time the show played Broadway it was a massive flop. The stars' cache lends itself toward verification that the play itself is a viable entertainment.
It is what they have added to the photographic image that creates a real sense about the play itself. Using different parts of the original logo, they have "graffitied" the photo. The idea of doodling over a serious picture at once conjures thoughts of whimsy, funny business, and even bad manners!
Of course, it also works towards defining the stars' roles in the show at the same time. A clown's nose has been added to Rylance's face, appropriately, as he plays a low-brow clown in the show. Similarly, Lumley is given a crown, and she plays a princess. And Pierce is given a fine moustache, befitting of a gentleman during a time period long ago; Pierce, fittingly, plays a classic dramatist, a gentleman if ever there was one.
The logo with the photo really has me even more interested in this highly theatrical outing. I hope I can squeeze it in before it closes in January.
I don't know how many of you look around at London theatre sites, but if you do, you have probably noticed that many of them include links to really cool TV commercials, music videos, promotional videos and excellent b-roll previews of the shows they are promoting.
It is kind of sad that most Broadway shows don't have this, outside of links to promotional interviews, the occasional backstage "tour" or commercial. Believe me, I'm thankful for what ever scraps they throw us. But, still, most of it, you still have to find for yourself on YouTube and the like. Kudos to the major theatre sites like Playbill Online and Broadway.com for taking up the slack, proving it can be done.
Some of it I understand. I mean regular music videos don't even get play on MTV, let alone a relatively small niche like show tunes. Still, it is a sad commentary that a very American art form (and the performing arts) aren't more a part of our everyday popular culture.
Then, too, there is the American Greed Factor and everyone shares the blame there: actors, producers, writers. Absolutely nothing gets done without an eye toward profit and money making for everyone involved. I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet part of the reason we don't see more things like they do in London because the unions won't allow it or because of haggling over profit margins or salaries or royalties.
Never mind the fact that maybe if they gave a little bit away for free (beyond promotional interviews and the rare backstage thing) it might entice people to see a show they know nothing about. I can tell you for 100% certain that the promos for Deathtrap, La Bete and Brief Encounter have influenced my desire to see all three, and I am a VERY regular theatregoer, aka the sure thing to buy a ticket. Imagine what it might do for the occasional, on the fence, but tired of Mamma Mia crowd! People never see the long-range possibility... (I could go on about ticket prices being lowered with an eye toward longer term profits rather than upfront smaller profits - if a show is crap it won't run anyway, so why not lower the prices and get more people in for a longer run? But I digress...)
Here are some recent London videos... what do you think? (Scroll to the bottom for maybe the best "unofficial" video for a show to date!)
Brief Encounter
Deathtrap
La Bete
Legally Blonde (Promotional Video)
Legally Blonde (Music Video)
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (Promotional/Music Video)
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert(Cast member produced for a cast party)
Do Broadway people go to this much trouble for a cast party? This is better than most shows, period. If Broadway folks do, share it! Geez, this isn't even "official" and it has gotten thousands of hits. Any cast that has this much fun together must be tearing it up on stage. I'd be surprised if this could happen here, though... rights, copyrights, in costume union time, blah blah blah... I hope I'm just being a cynic. I somehow doubt it.
VOTE IN THIS MONTH'S POLL, JUST TO YOUR RIGHT! THANKS!
August had two polls, both asking about the upcoming fall season on Broadway. I'm not really surprised at the outcome for both, nor am I surprised at the fact that the second poll was answered by more than double the first. And we all wonder why plays don't last longer on Broadway...
Poll #1: Which fall play on Broadway are most looking forward to?
O% - A Free Man of Color, A Life in the Theatre, The Merchant of Venice, The Pitmen Painters and Time Stands Still
Not one of these shows received a single vote, despite some pretty big names attached to them, like Al Pacino, Patrick Stewart, T.R. Knight, Brian D'Arcy James, and Laura Linney. What is interesting is the comments a few of you sent in. Several of you mentioned that Time already ran, and it wasn't that exciting the first time. And more than a few of you mentioned that while Pacino was great in Merchant, either the play's "shady quality" or the fact that much of the supporting cast probably wasn't going with it was reason to spend your money elsewhere. Speaking of money, a couple of you put it succinctly: Why pay for Merchant when you could have seen it for free?
12.5% - La Bete
If I had a vote (I choose not to) this is the one I would have picked. First, the play was such a fast flop the last time, but so beloved by those who saw it, I want to see what I missed. Second, the preview snippets look like a lot of intelligent and bawdy fun (see below). And third, I agree with Tom C. of Pittsburgh, PA: "The three stars can't be matched! I can't wait to see Lumley live! And Pierce and Ryland are great actors!" Couldn't have said it better myself, Tom! (And thanks for writing in!)
25% (each) - Lombardi, Brief Encounter
I really want to see both of these. I know almost nothing about football, except the great ads during the Super Bowl. And yet I am drawn to the preview (see below) and the cast - Judith Light is a truly gifted woman. And I have heard nothing but raves over this cool hybrid of play, music and film, Noel Coward's Brief Encounter. (see below)
37.5% - Driving Miss Daisy
I guess it is a no brainer for most: James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave and Boyd Gaines on the same stage in a proven play! Why am I not that excited? Loved the original (I saw Julie Harris, no less) and loved the movie version even more - the rare occasion when the movie is better than the play, in my opinion. Still I can certainly understand why so many of you can't wait. And I'll place my bet now that at the very least Gaines will get a Tony nod... and probably win. He always does.
Poll #2: Which fall musical are you most looking forward to?
0% - Elf
Aside from the fact that I didn't love the movie - I'm not a huge Will Farrell fan, either - I guess I a little tired of Broadway trying to find a perennial Holiday Show. Maybe two years of this, then they can rotate Grinch, White Christmas and Elf?
11% - Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
More than a few of you think like I do, that this will either be really incredible (the casting is at least good) or it will be the train wreck people will say they saw but never got to (Woman in White?). Still, I am willing to give Julie Taymor a chance. The woman has more creativity in a fingernail clipping of hers than any 10 total people... and Reeve Carney in a tight suit... mmm... plus Gideon Glick! Can't wait! :-)
14% - The Scottsboro Boys
What could be the last Kander and Ebb show ever is what draws me. Then there's Susan Stroman's direction and choreography... and a great cast... Still, it is a difficult subject with a very risky concept. I have a feeling this one will divide everyone, and years from now will be regarded a classic. So all of us who missed Chicago the first time, let's make sure it doesn't happen again!
18% - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
The critics have already weighed in, and theatre fans are divided to say the least. All the more reason to see it, if you ask me! Plus, hot new stars, edgy music and staging... so many are already lamenting not having seen Spring Awakening. My guess is that it will be this season's American Idiot - an artistic, if misunderstood, triumph and a box office in a a state of flux throughout its run.
57% - Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Ladies and show queens unite! This one has historical event written all over it - a very hot, high achieving director (Bartlett Sher), a score and book by a proven team who are due for their awards (David Yazbeck and Jeffrey Lane), and an amazing cast of the currently hottest performers on the boards - I don't even need to list them! But the real history is this: not since Evita, 30 years ago, has Patti LuPone originated a role in a Broadway show. Time once again to see why she is the Broadway diva (in the real sense of the word, not just the behavioral connotation) of all time.
Comments? Leave one here, Yahoo me or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.4
