I was terribly stuck for ideas of what to write today. I looked in several books and online for possible writing prompts. I finally decided to use this one:
"Brainstorm ideas for a quirky musical that, as far as you know, has not been written. Choose one idea and write your title." Well, my thoughts led in a different direction.
I love musicals. When I was a kid, my dad had LPs of different musicals - Oklahoma, Carousel, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and most likely others that I'm forgetting now. When I was in high school I got to play in summer musicals for three summers. I play (French) horn. My first musical was West Side Story. It was the the most difficult thing I had ever played. And I had a blast. It is a brilliant music theater piece. The second summer I played in the pit for Carousel. Such beautiful music and such an awful premise for a love story. I didn't think about that as a high school kid. My final summer musical was Brigadoon. I didn't know this musical before that summer. It was also a lot of fun. I have since watched the movie, which is charming.
The orchestra for a show is in the pit, naturally. And that semi-invisibility leads to some goofiness. I remember one incident well. In Carousel, we had an electric bass in the pit, as well as an upright string bass. The electric bass player was a sensitive guy and every night he would cry at the same moment. I think it was when Billy Barker, who was killed in the first act, comes back as a sort of ghost and meets the daughter he never knew. It's a scene with no music, so the orchestra sits silently, then comes in for the next musical number. On this particular night, the other bass player, who was playing the non-electric instrument, stealthily turned up the amp on the electric bass. So when it was time for the next musical number the first note from the bass thundered out above the rest of the orchestra. He immediately turned it down and all was well.
I'm happy to say that I was not involved in any way with that prank.
I have heard of actors playing pranks on their castmates, but never heard of pranks in the orchestra. How things have changed. I have seen several musicals where the orchestra is now on stage with the actors. arjeha
ReplyDeleteThese were mainly high school kids. You know, goofy, somewhat irresponsible. I don't think it would be considered good form to mess around during a professional gig.
DeleteMusicals! While I am not an actor or a musician, I appreciate the work that goes into putting a musical on and the escape that is provided to the audience
ReplyDeleteI agree! I love musicals! And operas, too.
DeleteI played upright bass in high school and college. Although I was only in the pit once for a musical, I know how those bass players can be!
ReplyDeleteLOL!
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