Category Archives: Theatremaking

O/T: Brecht and Didactic Theatre

Posted on June 24, 2010 by David Fick

I was recently reading a rather mundane series of posts around the issue of adaptation at Musicals.net, which then delved into the realm of Bertolt Brecht and his vision of theatre. Here’s the bit that I found interesting: Hans wrote: … Continue reading →

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“Original” Musicals

Posted on June 15, 2010 by David Fick

As musicals based on movies become more and more frequently produced, discussions on musical theatre forums around the Internet regarding the lack of “original” Musicals” seem to become more and more prominent. Most people seem to forget, however, that truly … Continue reading →

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So what exactly is wrong with AIDA?

Posted on May 15, 2010 by David Fick

Aida is one of those musicals that it seems has a strong fan following, but one which also attracts a great deal of criticism in regard to both its book and score. I’ve looked at the show on this blog … Continue reading →

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O/T: THE MIRACLE WORKER Controversy

Posted on December 13, 2009 by David Fick

While this topic isn’t specifically related to musical theatre, I think it does have ramifications for theatre in general and is thus worth reflection. The casting of Abigail Breslin in The Miracle Worker has sparked a huge controversy, upsetting advocates … Continue reading →

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iSONDHEIM becomes SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM

Posted on October 1, 2009 by David Fick

According to the Roundabout Theatre Blog, the project that was once known as iSondheim will now be produced as Sondheim on Sondheim on Broadway later this season. Conceived and directed by James Lapine, the ‘new original Broadway musical’ will star … Continue reading →

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BYE BYE BIRDIE: Changes in the Revival

Posted on September 5, 2009 by David Fick

Playbill has a new article about the revival and how the director-choreographer Robert Longbottom will honour the original show while giving it a new spin. This is a bit quotation heavy, I know, but it’s interesting stuff: Kenneth Jones wrote: … Continue reading →

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Theatre Reads

Posted on August 26, 2009 by David Fick

I’m busy reading two books on musicals at the same time: Show Boat: the Story of a Classic American Musical and Everything Was Possible: the Birth of the Musical Follies. Both are brilliant and I hope that everyone who visits … Continue reading →

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Crazy Concepts for Classic Shows: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Posted on April 7, 2009 by David Fick

Every now and again one comes across a “crazy concept” that is used to bring new life into a classic show. Such concepts are not necessarily ‘crazy’; they are merely unconventional. I stumbled across this one on Musicals Dot Net, … Continue reading →

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SPRING AWAKENING: the Musical

Posted on June 10, 2007 by David Fick

The play upon which the musical adaptation of Spring Awakening is based was written by Frank Wedekind in 1891. The first performance of the play was in 1906 and the first English performance of the play was in 1917. Since … Continue reading →

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SPRING AWAKENING and “The Song(s) of Purple Summer”

Posted on December 17, 2006 by David Fick

With the Broadway transfer of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s SPRING AWAKENING having opened last weekend and the cast recording having been released earlier in the week, now seems an apt time to have a look at some of the changes that have been made in the show between its Off-Broadway run in August and now. Continue reading →

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