Serves me right for asking
/You may recall about a month ago I posted that my friend Mike Funt called me from Beijing to ask that I write two “show-stopping dance numbers” for him. I responded with a questionnaire that took him some time to respond to, mostly because he was back in California for two weeks.
But he finally got it done, and in the spirit of masochism public humiliation leading by example, I post it here so that you can see the origins and goals of what we’ll be working on.
What, exactly, is this purported “show” about? Is it serious? Parodic? Silliness? Heartbreaking? [N.B.: Any answers along the lines of “about 90 minutes long” will be dealt with with extreme prejudice. We see you.]
The show is a comedic straight play, slightly based on an experience of mine in Chengdu. Basically it’s the story of an American who gets roped into directing an “American-style” revue in China and the madcap characters he meets and has to deal with in getting this terrible show up and running. The music will be for the numbers that are in rehearsal in the background of the story and action. We’ll only ever see parts of the numbers and they will always be in-progress, until the end of act one, when we see the fully staged version of the opening number briefly before it falls apart.
When, more or less, will this show start rehearsals?
Rehearsals will begin when the show is written and ready to be rehearsed. I work with a Lab Theatre who has basically given me the opportunity to mount something whenever I want to as it can be slotted in. My goal is to finish writing the show by October/November. Rehearsing at the end of the year or early 2027.
What is the nature, the mood of the two SDNs? What vibe/orchestration/et al. are you expecting?
Fast paced and exciting
Orchestral, there will be no singing. These are sexy/not-sexy dance numbers (Think the Kit Cat Club Girls in Cabaret or the Dreamland opening number in Miss Saigon.)
I’d like them to have a vintage, yet modern vibe. I’ve mentioned Greatest Showman and Moulin Rouge.
A third, romantic and slower pas des deux if you have time would also be good.
Do these two SDNs have titles?
No. I leave that to you.
How long are you thinking these SNDs should be?
They don’t have to be incredibly long, since we will only ever see pieces of them. Rehearsals and performances being interrupted. 3 minutes?
What is the trigger in the show for each SDN?
One is the big opening number, one is the no-holds-barred show stopping number, and then the legato romantic duo
Is there a main character focus for either SDN?
No these characters are all ensemble, Kit Kat Girls/Dreamland Girls. The Duo stars the female lead. This would be her big number in the show within a show, but, again we’ll only ever see it in pieces.
Are these SDNs songs, i.e., lyrics, vocal ranges, parts? If so, give an estimate on SATB part distribution, soloists, etc.
No vocals. Only dancing.
How many people will be performing each SDN?
Four women, two men.
Please suggest — with links if available— at least one model for each of the SDNs so that I can STEAL model these pieces on them.
For the opening number
Other Ideas
Generally, going for a sexy vibe, but really more downtrodden and gritty
For the duo
Do you have any other preferences, advice, requests, or warnings?
Nah, you can have fun with it. I just thought it would be fun to have original music for the numbers rather than recycling old stuff and worrying about licensing. The idea of the show within a show is that every time we see the pieces of it, the audience should be wondering “What the hell is this show they are putting on?” That mirrors the director’s experience of not really understanding what the hell this show is, what it’s supposed to be, or what exactly he is supposed to be doing. That doesn’t mean the music should be bad. I’d like the music and the dancing to be actually really good, but good music and good performers thrown together by a producer/writer in a way that is completely incoherent.
Disclaimer: Any answers you provide may or may not end up published in a blog post on Lichtenbergianism.com so that the whole world can see how outrageous your expectations are watch our collaboration from ABORTIVE ATTEMPT to ABANDONMENT.
