In the past few weeks I have been to see two plays and have read 4 others. (For all of my thoughts on taking a long break from theatre, I don’t seem to be doing that!) The two shows I saw could not have been more different, Shrek (put on by the Leeds Art Council) and Les Miserables (a Red Mountain Theatre production.) Other than the fact they were both live musical theatre productions, they were as far apart as possible. One centers around the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris while the other centers around an ogre and fairy tale characters. One sees most of its characters killed in the revolution while the other is full of fart jokes. One is full of some of the most haunting and beautiful music ever written and the other held no memorable music. I left the theatre after Shrek singing “Two Less Lonely People in the World,” an Air Supply classic played during intermission. (My friend and I burst into song when it played, enjoying a blast from the past, harmony and all, as well as entertaining our spouses and the people around us during the break!!)
I will say I had seen Shrek on Broadway, believe it or not (a high school show choir trip to NYC several years ago) and was not a huge fan even then. I have also seen Les Miz done by several different professional touring companies and it is one of my favorites. I also must say I had friends in each production and as always was impressed by the talent of the people I know. It always seems that most of the stand outs (even when they are miscast or underutilized) are people I know from Montevallo! (It always makes me smile when a familiar face appears on stage!)
It seems unfair to review these two plays in the same post. However, I don’t really do “reviews.” I was taught to write “responses”, a paper telling how I felt about what I saw, not a rehashing of a play we have all seen, read or heard a ton about already. My response to an evening of theatre starts with the person who takes my ticket and doesn’t end until I get home in bed. And what I have to say might surprise you.
There is no question that Les Miz was a bigger, slicker show, start to finish. The sets were rented from Wichita, KS and the costumes were rented from New York. In looking at the cast bios almost a dozen of the actors, most of which played the main characters, didn’t seem to live in Birmingham or even have a tie to the community. Shrek on the other hand had sets that were only a step above the refrigerator boxes we cut up and painted as kids, some borrowed, some home made costumes and I would venture to guess that most everyone who auditioned appeared on that stage at some point.
I grew up watching Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney movies where as kids they would decide to “put on a show” in the barn or garage. ( They were old movies even then for those of you suddenly wondering if I am in my 80’s!) The kids in these movies would build a minimal set and get some costumes and go with it! To me, that is what community theatre is all about. Everyone pitching in, knowing that when you are done you have transformed an unconventional space and taken a bunch of regular 9-5 people and put on a “show”! It is the “family” dynamic and the “all in” mentality that makes a community production a one of a kind experience.
I knew exactly what to expect from Les Miz. It rivaled any touring company I have seen. It held no surprises, nothing overly inventive, but was amazing from the visual to the musical. The talent was over the top. Red Mountain considers itself a “professional” theatre and by all standards it is. When the guy behind me asked if this was a Broadway tour before the show, his companion’s response that it was all local, community theatre was not exactly true. Shrek on the other hand was local and what I would consider community theatre. It had a few clever moments when you knew the director had to make something interesting happen with minimal resources. Shrek could not hold a candle to the Red Mountain machine, but I think both types of groups have their place and deserve our support. I know actors who will not even consider doing a play at some of the smaller, less publicized groups. I know actors who have taken roles at some of the smaller theatres around town, but dump them quickly if offered a role with Red Mountain or Virginia Samford Theatre. (Don’t get me started on what I think about people who make a commitment and then leave for greener grass!)
All in all, both productions served their purpose. One brought a community together and gave lots of people a chance to try their hand at theatre. The other was very moving and I am sure made a huge splash in the city, as well as some money for all concerned. There is a place for both types of productions and I hope the area continues to support all of these groups.
