October 11, 2010 ~by Darrell PoeTheaterWorksVA is bringing an old family favorite to The Cramer Center this week. Opening Friday evening at 7PM - The Wizard of Oz is a story we all know, but this little company has put an interesting new spin on things.
It's not often that a theater company comes along and takes a risk with a new idea. For what it's worth, I admire TheaterWorks VA for taking on that risk, and I hope they're rewarded with a successful run - we'll be in attendance on Friday.
So here's the twist.
Each role in the show has been double cast - one adult actor and one youth actor.
Yes - you read that correctly.
The adult actors are tasked not only with learning and perfecting their own respective roles, but also with mentoring the youth actors on theirs. The adults will perform the evening shows, and the children will perform the matinées.
The potential for learning and improvement for young actors is immense - there is clearly much to be gained by an arrangement like this. Kudos to Denise and the other hard working folks at TheaterWorks VA for making this project happen.
That said - a few questions come to mind.
This new take on theater education is a wonderful idea, but we have yet to see if it will pay off for audiences. Will mentoring the younger actors take away from the adult's performances? The director plays a key role in any good theater production - acting as the single guiding voice throughout the rehearsal process. Will that voice be diluted with actors directing other actors?
As a theater nerd, and patron - things like this occur to me before I see a show. But, before seeing any show, ALL theater patrons have to ask themselves - do I want to see this show?
With this new twist, comes more questions: If I do want to see this show, which show do I see? The adults or the children? Shouldn't I see Both to really get the full experience? Do I really want to see this show twice? Does it become simpler to just pick another show in the area to go see? There's certainly no shortage of options.
Big risk. Lots of questions.
You'll have to answer all of them for yourself, but from a budgetary standpoint TWV's The Wizard of Oz is actually pretty low-risk - ticket prices are very reasonable. There's no word on any discount rate to see both the Adult and Youth shows, but at $10 for general admission in advance - buying a ticket to both is not out of the question.
While a significant risk is being taken here - that's for certain- the pay-off could be huge. If this show is successful, TheaterWorks VA will have brought a truly meaningful innovation to children's theater, potentially changing the way theater education is approached.
Either way - they are certainly a company to watch, and and should be commended for pushing the boundaries and taking big chances. My hat's off to them.
The Wizard of Oz is playing for two weekends at The Cramer Center in Old Town Manassas.
The Cramer Center
9008 Center Street,
Manassas, VA.
Tickets are available at The Cramer Center Box Office, or in advance at www.boxofficetickets.com.
Prices:
$10 Adults, $7 Students - in advance
$12 Adults, $8 Students - at the door
Evening performances (Adult cast) are Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM
Matinée performances (Youth cast) are Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3PM.
See our event calendar here for details.
To learn more about TheaterWorks VA check out their website: http://www.theaterworksva.com.
For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to cover your project - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.
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