Since you are reading a theatre blog, you've probably at least heard of the play
Six Degrees of Separation. Among that play's ideas is that all of us are connected to everyone else by six relationships or less.
OK, so maybe you haven't heard of the play - it is a wonderful one - but I'm pretty sure you've heard of Kevin Bacon. A few years ago, a game came out called "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" which pretty much followed the idea in the play, only it pertains specifically to how all of Hollywod is connected to Mr. Bacon by six films or fewer. For example: Sally Field to Kevin Bacon: Sally Field was in
Steel Magnolias with Julia Roberts (1 degree). Julia Roberts was in
Flatliners with Kevin Bacon (2 degrees). There are two degrees of separation between Sally Field and Kevin Bacon. Get it?
So, I got to thinking...
Six Degrees: The Broadway Edition. It would follow the same premise, only there would have to be a few adjustments, as live theatre is not permanent like a film.
1. Each degree can only have to do with the original cast and production team of a play or musical or play revival or musical revival.
2. It can also have only to do with the original theatre where a production opened.
In short: Each degree can be based solely on what would have appeared on the Broadway Opening Night Playbill. (Thanks to reader David for bringing up the need for this clarification!)
These would be examples of valid "degrees." James Gandolfini in
God of Carnage. Patti LuPone in the 1987 revival of
Anything Goes. The 2009 revival of
West Side Story opened at the Palace Theatre.
- Patti LuPone played Reno Sweeney in the 1987 revival of Anything Goes and Ethel Merman played Reno Sweeney in the original production of Anything Goes.
These would NOT be valid "degrees." Sally Field in
The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? The 39 Steps at the Helen Hayes Theatre.
- Chita Rivera was in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Vanessa Williams was in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
OK. Let me do three examples: easy, medium and difficult. And remember: there may be several ways to do these.
Easy: Adam Pascal to Kristin Chenoweth
Adam Pascal was in the original cast of
RENT with Idina Menzel. (1 degree) Indina Menzel was in
Wicked with Kristn Chenoweth (2 degrees).
Medium: Patti LuPone to Montego Glover
Patti LuPone was in the 2008 revival of
Gypsy with Laura Benanti. (1 degree) Laura Benanti was in the 2002 revival of
Into the Woods with Chad Kimball. (2 degrees) Chad Kimball is in
Memphis with Montego Glover. (3 degrees)
Difficult: Wicked to
Grind
Wicked starred Joel Grey. (1 degree) Joel Grey starred in the revival of
Chicago with Mary Ann Lamb. (2 degrees) Mary Ann Lamb was in
The Goodbye Girl with Carol Woods. (3 degrees) Carol Woods starred in
Grind. (4 degrees)
NOT ALL DEGREES HAVE TO BE WITH ACTORS. THEY CAN BE WITH DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS, or even the THEATRE. AND THE NUMBER OF DEGREES ISN'T WHAT DETERMINES THE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY.
Here are a few for you to try:
Easy:
1.
Spring Awakening to
American Idiot.
2.
Billy Elliot to
Victor/Victoria.
3.
Pippin to
Sweet Charity (orginal production)
Medium:
4. Angela Lansbury to Matt Cavenaugh.
5. Twyla Tharp to the revival of
Big River.
6. Barbara Walsh to
Xanadu.
Difficult:
7.
The Will Rogers Follies to Mary Stuart Masterson.
8.
Shrek: The Musical to Disney's
Beauty and the Beast.
9. Rosie O'Donnell to
Rock of Ages.
Super Difficult:
10. Jerry Orbach to the 2007 revival of
Company.
Look for the answers in this Sunday's Bits and Pieces.
Have any you want to stump the rest of us with? Send them to me via email at
jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you! Jeff
to
to
to
to
to 
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
