Streaming Shows

Earlier this week I subscribed to Disney+ for the purpose of viewing HAMILTON, shot live in 2016, with the original cast. I was excited to see the show on July 3rd, knowing that thousands of people watched  together although virtually. The fact that for under ten dollars a month, by subscribing to Disney, those who cannot afford to attend a Broadway musical and the considerable amount of people who have no chance to come to New York and see the show, could see HAMILTON, is fantastic!   There are also people who want to see the show, and haven’t yet. Afficionados, such as myself, who want to see it again, now can. And there are all those Disney movies to re-visit!

I read Ron Chernow’s book, the inspiration for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece, and I was fortunate to see the show twice:  the last preview before it opened at the Rogers Theater, July, 2015, and again in September. I downloaded the CD, bought the CD and the score and long before Drama Book Shop closed its doors, a long time associate there encouraged me to purchase one of the last remaining first edition books detailing the creation of this Pulitzer Prize winning work. I use the music in my cycling choreography for Spinning class and I thoroughly enjoy the variety of musical genres incorporated into the show. 

Anyone who loves theatre, and has access to a streaming platform, is provided with opportunities to see theater now.  No, it's not the same as being there. Yet at this time, it keeps a connection with the art of theatre. At first, I was enthusiastic and enjoyed Sondheim’s birthday celebration, a SMASH reunion live streaming event on Youtube (I think) and a production of CORIOLANUS at the Red Bull Theater I had missed in 2016. Yet after the weeks of The Corona Days wore on, I became rather apathetic and just thought, I’ll wait.

I watched STARZ IN THE HOUSE fairly often and continue to listen to the Broadway station on Sirus Radio. I watched eight seasons of “The Midwife,” (fabulous and in chronological order of course), “Hollywood” (meh but I couldn’t stop watching) and other random Netflix programs. There’s always “Law and Order” and “The Good Wife” reruns on STARZ.  I had just decided I would go back to see plays and musicals when the theaters open again. Since, this does not appear possible anytime soon, I will be streaming.  

Read: We Got ‘Hamilton.’ Why Can’t We Stream Every Broadway Show?, The New York Times

Artists are not ok right now.

June 30, 2020

As most of you know, I pursued acting for awhile and have always considered myself a member of the entertainment and theatre world. I am grateful and blessed to be a theatre educator and loved my job as a high school English teacher. During these uncertain times, my heart goes out to every industry that is currently shut down. The extent of how theatre effects our culture is vast as are the number of people who work in theatre and businesses that rely on this art form. So many are hurting right now.

The following post on Facebook is going around. It saddens me. I’m copying and sharing it because it’s the truth....

“Artists are not ok right now.

Broadway is closed until 2021, Cirque is filing for bankruptcy, Feld (the live show production company) laid off 90% of its workforce permanently, cruise ship performers are out of work, theme park performers have no idea when they will be recalled. Performing arts organizations of all kinds..choirs, theaters, orchestras, dance companies, dance studios are all trying to figure out on a daily basis how to keep going and employ anyone they can in the field.

If you know anyone in the arts industry reach out to them and tell them they matter. Give them a virtual hug and make sure they are taken care of. Donate to arts organizations and keep arts alive.

Our hearts and souls need it NOW more than ever. And to copy and share more:

For those of you not in the theatre community. Please understand the scope of Broadway/off Broadway being shut down. Frankly for all theatre anywhere. It travels much further than the stage boards where you see the brilliant performers giving you an amazing show. You also have:

-Stage managers
-Company managers|
-Dressers
-Hair/Makeup
-Carpenters
-Electrics
-Sound
-Props
-Musicians
-Ushers
-Bartenders
-Box office
-Custodial
-Merchandise
-Security
-Marketing
-Producers
-Directors
-Choreographers
-Writers
-Interns
-Set Designers
-Costume Designers
-Hair/Makeup Designers
-Lighting Designers
-Sound Designers
-Prop Designers
-All the design assistants
-Child wranglers
-Doormen
-Porters

Now go beyond the Theatre district and see the jobs this shutdown also affects:

-All the costume shops where the costumes are made
-The millinery shops where the hats/headpieces are made
-The Cobblers where all the custom shoes are made
-The Wigmakers
-The Fabric/Bead Shops/Feather Shops- while these may reopen they will suffer huge losses with no shows requiring anything for this entire year.

-Scenic Shops where the sets are built
-Prop shops where the props are made
-Sound and Lighting shops where the lights & mics are rented from
-design studios where the sets, costumes, props, etc are dreamed up to make the director;s vision a reality
-rehearsal space rentals for the show to be worked out before it appears for your pleasure
-merchandise vendors, concessions

Now venture even deeper into the shutdown and see the business that is lost in the theatre district from just the people in the industry not working on a show (then, on top of that, the loss of audience members buying stuff at:

-Delis
-Restaurants
-Post show bars
-Coffee shops

If that list seems long- it is! And that’s just New York. That’s not even taking into scope all the theatre around this country. And for most of us- this is our whole life. I can tell you to wear a mask, social distance! But by now- you know that. And you either choose to do it and say I care about others, or you don’t and choose to say- I don’t value the well being of others.

It’s kinda that simple.”

“Broadway Will Remain Closed Through the Rest of the Year”

We saw it coming. It was pretty inevitable. Rather difficult to social distance on stage and in the audience. This hurts. There are so many out of work.

Read Michael Paulson’s “Broadway Will Remain Closed Through the Rest of the Year” for the New York Times.

New York Theaters Open Up Lobbies for Racial Justice Protesters

Theaters have been shut down due to the coronavirus. A new Twitter account, @OpenYourLobby, encourages theaters to open lobbies as a place of respite for protesters following the George Floyd murder.

Read “New York Theaters Open Up Lobbies for Racial Justice Protesters,” New York Times, June 4, 2020

Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times

Curtains for Broadway: No Shows Until Labor Day, At Least

Our theatre venues are not opening anytime soon. There are no shows this summer. As for Broadway, not till at least September and - maybe even as late as January - will plays and musicals go on. Shows have to rehearse, sets have to be built, tech rehearsals need to be held and box offices need to be open, before there is an audience. People need to feel secure enough to go to the theatre. Fear, cautionary practices and prudent choices, where health is concerned, give little hope for a full house any time soon. Yet this is a time to engage in other forms of creativity. Be it writing or engaging in various Zoom readings, or watching performances, the theatre is far from asleep.

Read: Curtains for Broadway: No Shows Until Labor Day, At Least by Michael Paulson for the New York Times

What Shakespeare Actually Wrote About the Plague

Not that long ago, the word quarantine simply meant to me, the delay Friar John was presented with after he visited a family infected by the plague, when going from Verona to Mantua to inform Romeo that Juliet was indeed alive! (You may recall Balthasar got to Romeo first, and informed him that Juliet was dead. The rest is dramatic history.)

Not a day goes by where one doesn’t hear or speak the word, “Quarantine.” References to plagues of the past, most specifically the Spanish Flu of 1918, are frequent as we venture forth in these fearful unknown times. Dr. Fauci’s warnings and the precautionary descriptions of Dr. Birx have reminded us daily that staying home and wearing masks saves lives. Many listen to Governor Cuomo offer the daily statistics in New York State and provide guidance and words of encouragement and leadership. Yet overall, it is the words echoed from the Scottish play that transverse our hearts and minds:

Alas, poor country,
Almost afraid to know itself.
Macbeth; Macbeth, IV, 3

Stephen Greenblatt’s essay from The New Yorker examines several references to the various outbreaks of the plague during Shakespeare’s life.

A plague on both your houses!
Mercutio; R&J, III, 1

Friar John’s quarantine takes on a more urgent and realistic concern now.

Read: What Shakespeare Actually Wrote About the Plague by Stephen Greenblatt

Guthrie Theater: Message from Artistic Director Joseph Haig

This heartfelt video from Joseph Haj, Artistic Director at the Guthrie Theater, about the future of theater at this time of Covid-19 closings, offers a realistic perspective and hope about an art form that fueled so many other arts. Think about how nothing can replace the centuries-old tradition of gathering together. #artswillsaveus

’The World Goes Away’ and Other Lessons From Online Acting Class

I am proud of the teachers at HB. Their intrepid spirit, experience and ability to stay in the moment, continues to offer light on the teachings of Uta Hagen. I am inspired.

Read: ‘The World Goes Away’ and Other Lessons from Online Acting Class by Elisabeth Vincentelli for The New York Times

Take Me To The World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration

One of the many losses that faced the theatre community was the cancellation of the celebration for Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday, and the scheduled opening night of the latest revival of his show COMPANY, planned to take place on March 22nd, his actual birthday! But the theatre community, ever resilient, inspired and bonded by the love of the work carried on with a celebration for Mr. Sondheim. A live stream from Broadway World, on April 26th was one of the treasured couple of hours spent by theatre people and fans. If you haven’t seen this, you are I for a treat, and if you have seen it —- Enjoy these special performances again. Here is TAKE ME TO THE WORLD, a celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s Birthday.

The Coronavirus Shutdown

Following a smooth final tech rehearsal, a cloud of anxiety floated overhead on March 12th as different schools in Fairfield Country announced closings. The backstage buzz reminiscent of the anticipation of what one might expect with the forecast of a nor’easter, gave several a bit of anxiety concerning work, children and college students who were being sent home early. Once I was in the car, radio on, the announcement that the NBA cancelled their season, made it clear this was just the beginning.

Tech week can be stressful enough as it often presents a wide variety of challenges, surprises or even a dreaded power outage. Since Sunday morning, the entire company of “An Evening of One Acts” produced by the Ridgefield Theater Barn, worked together, became close as a theatre community tends to be, and looked forward to our 13 performances ahead. During the previous six or seven weeks, each of the eight one acts rehearsed separately. We worked together in the theatre space for dress and tech rehearsals and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. That cancelled “invited dress,” on March 12th, due to the age and vulnerable condition of the senior audience was a cause of concern for all of us and served as prelude for what was to come.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all shows, from Broadway to high school productions, were shut down. Heartbreaking for so many, especially high school seniors, several shows tried to keep it going through Zoom rehearsals while others just were done. Plans altered, incomes lost, shows folded and the reality of how theatre looks changed.

Uta Hagen's Acting Technique

Whether I coach, teach, act or direct, I base the work on Uta Hagen’s teachings. Practical and self reflective, Hagen’s philosophies on acting are based on humanity and respect. Expand acting on stage "to behave realistically in imaginary circumstances.”

Read this excellent article: “The Definitive Guide to Uta Hagen’s Acting Technique” by Alex Ates for Backstage magazine

Photo taken from Backstage Magazine article / Source: Courtesy ITC Films

Freedom of Expression in Musical Theater

Musical theatre provides the social commentary that gives directors and dramaturges an opportunity to focus more accurately on settings and characters and the script with more of an emphasis on the truth.

I thought I’d share this article from Broadway World: “Everything's Up To Date On Broadway: The People Versus Classic Musicals.”

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

As a child, I warmly recall how my parents enjoyed playing their collection of Rogers and Hammerstein records on their hi fi. My mother would joyously hum and sing around the house while my Dad, who preferred overtures, shook his head as he would sit me down and tell me each show’s story. WEST SIDE STORY was a favorite as was SOUTH PACIFIC and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. My mom would sing about a “..bright golden haze on the meadow.." and I was proud that I could spell Oklahoma.

I’ve always loved OKLAHOMA! I had a chance to learn a medley from this show in my 8th grade music class and I still know all the words to “The Surrey With the Fringe On Top.” I was fascinated with Jud, as much as I wanted to know why there would be any question concerning the friendship between the farmers and cowboys. My first audition song was, ‘I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No.” but I sang Laurie’s musical numbers in the mirror. The show continued to fascinate me as I learned about the “Sooner” state and the Osage Indians. But it was my first reading of Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, where I became somewhat obsessed with our 46th state, Constructing the backstory of the musical, OKLAHOMA! has always been a pet project of mine. My interest deepened even further when I portrayed “Violet Weston” In AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and my character research enhanced my empathy for the people who lived in cities such as Tulsa and Salisaw. The entire state, depicted in the musical with the hope of Aunt Eller’s hearth and the good time of a small town picnic, had a very conflicted and dark side. Home to hundreds of displaced Native Americans and a land manipulated by the greed of bankers and developers, the fact that its residents did not benefit from the oil or civil rights promised has always haunted me.

While transforming the genre of the American musical in 1943, Richard Rogers’ score and Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics gave modern theatre a show that is traditionally known for energy and spirit. Yet, a cloud hangs over those haystacks, and without changing a word or a note, the most recent production of OKLAHOMA! presents a darker interpretation and I can’t wait to see it.

Reviews of the recent production of OKLAHOMA!:

The New York Times
Hollywood Reporter

Read the New York Times review of the original production of OKLAHOMA! here.

Choose a playwright this summer and read a play!

Art captures the spirit of the time. My passion for theatre, as a power to heighten awareness and to ignite change, is demonstrated in “ A Night at the Theatre" (The New Yorker) Arthur Miller explains. “In those years, our thought processes were becoming so magical, so paranoid, that to imagine writing a play about this environment was like trying to pick one’s teeth with a ball of wool.” This is how Arthur Miller describes the complexities of his early attempts to write “The Crucible,” which premièred at the height of the McCarthy era. Miller’s play spoke to a generation that was living in a kind of paralysis—its members fearful that, if they spoke up, they might be labelled subversive or unpatriotic. In that sense, his work, like so many remarkable dramas before it, offered a revealing and candid look at the price of human frailty.”

Dramatists create work that reflects the frustrations and celebrations of the human condition. To engage with a dramatic work sparks my light within.

Choose a playwright this summer and read a play.

Sensitive Concerns for Directors

The first, and only time, I experienced a stage kiss was in an acting class. It was awkward and I made it clear, “There would be no French kissing!” As I recall, in the final presentation, there wasn’t even a kiss.

Once I did a show with beautiful dialogue and a heartbreaking situation lent itself to an intimacy between the characters. Yet because of a brusque and insensitive director, I left the show. Traumatic.

As a high school theatre director, love scenes and stage kisses were carefully staged and worked on. We worked scene prior to the kiss extensively, often with no one present other than the stage manager. The students did not kiss (much to the dismay of some of the teens) until it was clear to me that a kiss was a natural response. In fact, the actors’ kiss was often a surprise to them; as I would say - “kiss” quietly while on stage with them.

The work and intimacy involved with actors creating a sexual encounter requires the sort of attention the director of the current Broadway production, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY AT THE CLAIRE DU LUNE has employed while directing Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon.

Take a moment to read this brilliant article in the New York Times: “How Audra McDonald and MIchael Shannon Got Intimate.”

The Drama Book Shop is saved!

It was a dark day when Drama Book Shop closed its doors. An exorbitant rent increase precipitated this decision; yet hope was on the horizon as Lin Manuel-Miranda, and friends, purchased the store. The theatre community awaits the announcement of the new location and the date the Drama Book Shop re-opens.

My personal connection with Drama Book Shop started in eighth grade through Sister des Victoires. Following a school production of, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, Sister told my parents and I about a little shop that sold only scripts, drama anthologies other material related to the theatre. She convinced my father, who commuted to the city, to pick up a couple of scripts for her to use with me and other students. Not only did my drama loving father oblige, he took me with him! The old elevator that brought us to the second floor in an old brownstone in midtown, just a short block east of Broadway, remains a vivid memory. This was the beginning of my lifetime relationship with Drama Book Shop.

To read more about the “saving of the Drama Book Shop, read this article by Mark Piekert for Playbill.

Thank you for dropping by Flori Doyle Acting Coach!

Thank you for visiting my website and my blog!

The privilege to coach and teach acting classes gives me an opportunity to share my lifelong passion for theatre. I look forward to posting a variety of newsworthy articles in addition to writing about acting and theater. And, I hope to hear from many of you in the process! 

Acting is the art form that is always in the present tense. Staying in the moment on stage, as in life, makes for a more complete composite of what is real and now. Communication, rooted with our speech and movement, is comprehensively studied in an acting class. More than ever human connection is needed and theatre provides this whether on stage, as an active listener, in an audience or while attempting to explain a choice made in the workplace.  

Technology often undermines the need for human contact. It eliminates tone and often provides cryptic information. The details, the descriptions, the beauty of words is often lost. The study of drama builds critical thinking and embraces the use of language. Learning about acting provides a glimpse into the heart and the soul of the human condition.

After 29 years of teaching high school English and acting; directing all those plays and musicals, my journey includes a new direction. I’ve taught classes in Peekskill: “Flori’s Dramatic Arts,” while becoming re-acquainted with community theater.

I continue to attend plays, musicals and take classes at HB Studio. 

Drama alum from Ardsley and many of my former students from Good Counsel Academy remain in contact with me and I cherish these relationships and memories. My beloved husband Peter remains my rock as Lady Emma runs the show here at Doyleland.

Please like Flori Doyle Acting Coach on Facebook and follow us on instagram. 

Please also consider adding your email to our mailing list to be among the first to receive announcements about classes and workshops.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your acting or public speaking journey!

Time to Read Some Plays

American Theatre just published “The Top 20 Most-Produced Playwrights of the 2018-19 Season.” Time to read some plays!

Read the list here!

New York Times: 72 Plays and Musicals to see this Fall and Beyond

Jake Gyllenhaal Credit Bryan Derballa for The New York Times

This is such a thorough list, I’m putting it here for everyone’s reference. Some great suggestions. I’ll let you know which ones I see! If you have recommendations, please do share them. I’d love to hear from you!

“72 Plays and Musicals to See This Fall and Beyond” by Steven McElroy, The New York Times

Broadway Fall Preview!

Some exciting new productions to put on your calendar! See as many as you can.

To view the list from TDF, click here.