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Too Much Subtext-"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"
by Rob Hardie
I recently
read a review in the AJC about the current rendition of Les Miserables at The Fox. I was really on board with the review until
he started stating that there were homo erotic subtext between Javert and Valjean. Look, I am all for great subtext when a
writer (or Actor) puts it there. Any scholar will tell you that there is plenty of sexual subtext (homo and hetro) in many
stories. But guys, as Freud said-"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar". We don't always have to label things with
metaphors that validate ourselves. If we really want to find sexual subtext in everything, let's go ahead and play that
game.
Play: You're A Good Man Charlie Brown
Subtext: Unrequited homoerotic love between Schroeder & Charlie Brown. And some really
starnge occult worship of blankets by Linus.
Play: The Producers
Subtext: unrequited love between Leo & Max
Play:
Wicked
Subtext: Unrequited love between Galinda & Elphaba...and the goat.
Okay, you see how the deep meanings of many works could be foiled by this way of thinking?
I directed Little Shop Of Horrors in California. A newspaper review wrote that there was a subtext of Satanic worship and
blood oaths. Can't any one enjoy a good show without trying to add some weird agenda?
Again, I am not saying that subtext in the many plays that do have it there (For many reasons) should not be brought
in to debate. But-we cannot put it where it just doesn't exist. I would love to hear your thoughts, or perhaps your
email would just a subliminal unrequited love for me?
INTERVIEW WITH TIFFANY DODSON I had the chance to chat with Tiffany
Dodson who plays the role of Mary Magdalene
in the Broadway Across America's Jesus Christ Superstar. She has played Mary for about a year and a half now, and feels
like she has grown in the role. An interesting note for actor's is, that most the actors (even Ted Neely) feel like they
have and keep growing. An amazing feat considering Neely himself has played the role since the 70's (on and off). A bit about Tiffany: She
hails from Smyrna, Tennessee and is a proud graduate of Belmont University, under the direction of Marjorie Halbert.
Other favorite roles include Polly in Crazy for You, Fastrada in Pippin, Bonnie in Anything Goes, Ado Annie in Oklahoma and
Rootie in Graceland. Tiffini has performed the National Anthem at a Nashville Predator's Hockey game and has been
featured in many shows produced by Gary Musick and Harris Goldman. The audition process for
the show took about 5 weeks. It all came down to a final audition with her and Neely. The show sports a simple 5 piece band
and some orchestra tracks for a bigger sound when needed. She chatted a bit about developing
a character like this one. It started with a long discussion with other actors about what they felt. Then some research via
books on Mary. She had a nice bit of leeway in her character creation since it is not an offshoot of the latest Broadway incarnation.
She does her best to play her true, and not as the stereotype often portrayed. She also talked
about the dynamics between her, Peter & Judas. She feels that Peter is like abrother to her and that they are both very
protective of one another. She was firm in her belief that there was no jealous rivalry between Jesus & Peter for Mary's
affection. She says that her character's feelings for Judas are not anger or judgmental. She has compassion toward him
and his confused state of mind. Her future dream roles include the leading ladies of Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels, The Drowsey Chaperone & Maureen in Rent. Tiffany will be playing the role at The Cobb Energy Center through
the end of the week, For information just go to Broadway Across America.com/Atlanta
Fresh Tour, Fresh Face: An Interview
With Erin Elizabeth Coors “The Wedding Singer” National tour is only 9 weeks old. Erin Elizabeth Coors (Who plays leading lady, Julia
Sullivan) is used to being on the road though. She recently did the national tour of: Barbi Live! Originally
from Cincinnati, Ohio and a Kent state graduate, she seems genuinely excited about the show and her musical theatre career.
When asked how she became so passionate
about acting she told a very familiar story to all of us. “As a child I started out in Ballet”, her story began.
As part of her dance class, she was required to do a small role in a musical. She was hooked. “It
was instantaneous!. She said. She continued on taking Acting and Music classes in high school and college. ATB: What made
you decide to do this for a living? Erin: There was no other option for me. I had to say I tried, gave it everything. I
am lucky that I had supportive parents. ATB: How was the casting process
For, The Wedding Singer? Erin: It took over 3 months. I ran into a casting director that I had auditioned for before. He never
cast me before. He insisted that I come out for the part. At the time I was still flying all over doing Barbi (yes, the doll)
promotional bookings. I told him that I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. He insisted and said that he would get me
in and out. I thought to myself that it isn’t very often a casting director takes that much interest, so I went. Three
months of call backs, and I got it. I worked very hard. I really fought for the role. ATB: Was this
common?
Erin: every cast
member I’ve talked with said that they went through the same process. The creative team treated every role this way.
They really cared about bringing the best possible show to life. ATB: Did that
pay off?
Erin: Yes. We get
standing ovations everywhere we go. The comments I receive are always about how every character is perfect for their role.
They also go on and on about the amount of energy they feel from us. Our goal is to have fun and tell the story. We gather
every night before the show and talk about how fortunate we are to be living our dream. ATB: Do you
think this show is just Fluff? Erin: there is no doubt that the main goal is to laugh and have fun. But underneath is a beautiful love
story. It’s a universal story about two people that find themselves and each other. ATB: Tell us
a bit about acting as a career, any tips? Erin: Stand out, be yourself. Know and play up your strengths. Don’t do it for
the money, it ruins it. I learned very quickly not to get caught up in where I rank against others. There
are so many things out of our control, it doesn’t pay to berate ourselves. I have had it come down to who fits better
in a costume. Don’t pay attention to others-do it for you. Trust yourself at an audition. If you don’t, why should
they trust you with the role? ATB: Anything you want to add?
Erin: yes. Come out in your 80’s clothes! I’m trying to start a trend!
click here to download A Scene from THE WEDDING SINGER!
Casting Couches, Nepotism in Atlanta? Say It Aint So! Over coffee
with a group of friends, stories start pouring out. One went as follows: yeah, so I was
at this theatre conference and (NAME DELETED) was having auditions. They invited some of the auditioners to a party. I found
out later, that if you went, certain "things" were expected. And once done, you got the tour. Wow. Am I that naive? Does this happen? Or was this girl on crack or insane? And why aren't I getting propositioned?
I'm cute...in an abstract kind of way. More stories started pouring out the collective mouths at the table, guys &
girls. Then another type of story of how producers and directors were casting their loved ones over other more qualified people.
Then, how because of the stress put on theatre's for diversity, being cast because they were ethnic, and not cast
because they weren't. After listening for a bit, I have come to some conclusions. 1. I don't care how some one was cast if they were the right ones for the role. Now this is weird, because even if they aren't perfect for it, they still may have been the best
option available. Others that audition will always blame anything on not getting a role, but no one ever comes to the conclusion
: They were just better than me this time. 2. I don't care how you
got the role if you suck. All I know is that I am out my ticket money for God only knows what
reason. 3. Directors cast people they KNOW they can count
on. I asked several, and they all said that they would rather cast someone who they worked
with before and knew was reliable than some blazing talent that may drop the ball. 4. Sex & Flirting shouldn't be a factor, but it is. From the corporate world
to the theatre, everyone likes a nice stroking (of the ego). Let's face it, being flirted with elevates the ego. It shouldn't
make casting decisions but, human beings are flawed. Is it wrong? Hell yes, but the only way to prevent it is to start making
examples of the self gratifying predators who either use their power to seduce or use seduction to get cast. How can we do
it though? if we start wagging our tongues and turn up wrong, we have hurt people's reputations for no good reason. 5. Race shouldn't factor except in the artistic sense. No
one should get a role based on the fact that a theatre needs to be diverse. It should be talent, reputation and hard work.
But in the artistic sense, if a director feels that a particular ethnicity would enhance his show-that's fine by me.
Atlanta has huge diverse actor resources and they are all full of talent. 6.
Families like to work together. From Francis & Sophia Copola to Tim Burton & Helena
Boham Carter, people like to cast among their select pool of people close to them. All I can say is, if it is how a director
feels things should work, great. BUT-the end product better be good. Okay, so...your
turn. Your thoughts, stories...I want to hear them. You can now comment without giving any identifying information! So what
are you waiting for!
COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE!
USER COMMENT-9/28/07 comments: As far as race being an issue, there are more companies in Atlanta that
cast traditional than those that cast for more diversity. As a person of color, I
have not found a lot of success
audition simply because I get typed out of many
roles based on race. That's not to say that I'm not auditioning
well or the casting
people don't like. A lot of them still just cast traditionally. It sucks to be me
sometimes!
DIVIDED HOUSES 9/20/2007
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