Ripping - Coming to fruition

Hello Readers,

I have been out of the blog for a while as I've been creating projects and one of them is coming to fruition.

Ripping, my first produced stage play.

If you're interested you can read the first article below.

Ripping - coming to fruition

Rocky - Original Broadway Cast Recording

Rocky - Original Broadway Cast Recording Review

Can the Italian Stallion’s Singing overcome the odds?

CONTEXT

First off, of the Rocky franchise I must confess to as of writing not having seen all of the original 1976 Oscar winner, but to having only really seen Rocky Balboa where the guy from Heroes was his son (sadly no epic beat down between Sylar and Rocky) and the even more cheesy Rocky 4 which was marinated in subtle cold war overtones (which I remember enjoying in my childish need for cheese –Ivan Drago provided a sentence that one simply must use whenever I am gearing up for Smash Brothers, and it also had a Robot!)

Who can honestly say they haven't used a Dragoism?

But Rocky for the stage began its life back in 2006 when the stage writer Thomas Meehan, of Annie, The Producers and Young Frankenstein (with Mel Brooks) fame contacted musical team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Composer and lyricist for Ragtime, Suessical and the non-Disney-but-often-confused-with animated film Anastasia). The musical team’s response is what you would expect, ‘No’. How do you turn a film that had a franchise and had ingrained itself so firmly into the American pop culture zeitgeist into a musical? Some of the issues off the top of my own head:

•          The films had been around for quite a while, with many parodies and call backs in other films.
•          Sylvester Stallone had become so intertwined with the character, much like his other ‘R’ character Rambo. This was probably contributed to by ol’ Sly using his own life as elements in the Rocky films.
•          Let’s face it Sly is not exactly the most clear spoken film actor.
•          Montages. How?
•          How do you stage boxing matches on the stage?
•          SPOILER (for (as of writing) a 37 year and 9 month old film) Rocky doesn’t win. Would people accept the original ending in a stage musical (because the majority of musicals still have ‘happy endings’.)

But perhaps because these three were quite open at the onset about the potential issues of the project, they were able to avoid the majority of them and identify the key factors that suggested that Rocky could be a good musical, namely that it is a story about a plucky underdog making good (rags to riches anyone?) and that there is also a strangely realistic love story in the centre of it.

So they wrote and managed to secure a meeting with Rocky himself Sly to present him with some songs. In Sly’s own words he ‘misted up’ when he heard them play these songs. These were good tears however and granted them his blessing.

Now I’m not sure if the Julliard reading was before or after the German Production, so I’m going to skip over it, you won’t miss much, it was a reading, people read things, they get a chance to polish the script and sometimes shop for Directors and supporters. Just imagine people sitting in chairs on a stage with some people in the audience. Anyway…

Rocky actually was beaten back by American backers. Black and bruised until a plot twist that as fate would have it would actually fit with in a Rocky film occurred. Stage Entertainment, the leading presenter in Europe that retrofits Broadway shows (including flops) for European audiences, came looking for something to build their musical spectacle name by developing shows as well. The catch, Rocky would have to learn German.

Ich liebe dich auch, Adrian

Remember how I said spectacle before, there is always issues with spectacles, how much is too much? Musicals have always had a small element that used spectacle to cover for some weaker elements, story, plot, and acting? No worries, as Billy from Chicago says ‘give ‘em the ol’ razzle dazzle… and they’ll never catch wise’.

What is the spectacle in Rocky? Sets or perhaps it would be better to say the ingenious use of sliding blocks to create sets, quickly and effectively that some are saying will bring new possibilities to theatre (Philly.com). The most exciting is perhaps the fact that if you were seated in the front stalls you would be escorted onto the stage for the final (20 minute) fight on bleacher style seats, thus bringing you close enough that you might start to think the boxing match was real. No wonder the set alone for the Broadway production cost roughly $4.3 million.

Mmm the intoxicating smell of sweat and money

So Germany were raving for Rocky, so guess who has a second opportunity to make good and take on the champ of musical theatre (told you, as if directly lifted from a Rocky film). Rocky had a successful Broadway opening on 13 March 2014, and was nominated for four Tony Awards in 2014 and winning for Best Scenic Design. What’s that you can’t wait to see it on Broadway? Unfortunately you can’t. It closed on August 17, but… if you understand German you can as of writing still see it in Hamburg. This is unfortunate for Stage Entertainment who’s other developed productions just haven’t landed with American audiences (Sister Act closed after 18 months and Big Fish was much quicker). Why? A mixture of things (as always) but probably the most prominent being:

•           Spectacles are not cheap to stage.
•           Marketing a new show is also not cheap.
•           Cognitive dissonance – What? Even after all that I have said above does the idea of a musical based on Rocky not just sound good, but seem even plausible?

The Soundtrack Review

Overview

Is Rocky one of those shows that doesn’t find an audience but has a soundtrack that will knock you out (sorry, couldn’t help myself)? In brief summary – Rocky gets some good punches in but ultimately loses (So it totally fits the Rocky plot).

Once again not having seen all of the original movie, I can only go from my general awareness in comparison. A big part of the appeal of Rocky I heard was that he was this everyman underdog, and the story was realistic (Sly did use elements of his life) and I understand why the creative team would want to maintain what I’m going to call ‘drained, grey coloured realism’.  Both the creative direction and songs were purposefully directed on the Broadway production to be as ‘realistic’ and ‘naturalistic’ as possible. Leaving songs to build slowly and fade out again, leaving most of the songs to be surprisingly short for a Broadway musical.

I think it speaks volumes in when you just compare the names of both productions. In Hamburg, Rocky das Musical. In New York, Rocky Broadway. The musical has been de-emphasised. I ask why? Overall it feels like if Rocky had truly embraced the Musical, and eased back on the ‘drained, grey coloured realism’ it could have been more thrilling piece.  So out of fairness for the album it was probably more intended as a memento for those who saw the show than as a musical soundtrack.

Although it might be better to see the show as a whole as more of a play with music rather than a musical, as a soundtrack to a show it needs to do certain things. So I will review it as a CD below, and if need to provide some comment on why I think they may have made some choices.

Overall Comments

Rocky Broadway the Original Cast Recording is hindered by its lack of associated images and spectacle that would have been present in the show, leaving the Recording as an oddity of subtlety and realism that although close to the realism of the indie film detracts from the possibilities available in the musical form, leaving me to feel the show might have been better served if it also had a DVD version of the stage show.

You can listen to the whole CD and know what is going on, which is a positive, and you will leave with having enjoyed some songs, possibly picked up some audition songs, but it probably will not become part of your regular playlist.

Track 1 –Ain’t down yet

The Rocky theme music starts up and builds you up expectantly but I was disappointed once the chorus started singing. The drained realism seems to keep the singing, simple and almost droning. This perhaps was purposefully intended to resemble the drone of a crowd, with its ‘Woh – oh’. Unfortunately this all added to a less than stellar opening number.

 Track 2 –Nose ain’t broken

This is Rocky’s (Andy Karl’s) first solo. It has a lot to do. It has to:

•           Introduce us to Rocky, his situation and his personality
•           Overcome the lacklustre opening number
•           Convince us that Rocky can sing.

The music for this song is simple, but heartfelt, exactly how the character should be portrayed. It successfully does the first, and its charm helps it achieve number two. As for convincing us Rocky can sing, yes, in a way. Rocky’s voice will not blow you away with beauty or vocal acrobatics, but it does fit Rocky. He’s a straight talking, working class man who isn’t above making fun of himself.  This song got me back on side, a self-depreciating comic number, even better when sung to turtles.

Track 3 – Raining

This is Adrian’s (Margo Seibert’s) first solo, and it almost definitely one of the better songs on the album. This is where you come for beauty on the album, and it’s more musically complex than Rocky’s theme, ‘My nose ain’t broken.  The song also performs its duty of setting Adrian’s slightly depressed personality and her back story. A good number, if slightly depressing, could probably live on as a concert solo or audition song in years to come.

Track 4 – Patriotic

Apollo Creed (Terence Archie, who transferred from the Hamburg run) provides a good shot of electricity to proceedings and succeeds in bringing you up from the sad dip of Raining. This song is a cheerful exploration of the selection of the Rocky as his upcoming partner, advancing the plot and introducing us to one of the highlight characters, even the chorus start to make steps to repair the opening here. I especially like the  line from Apollo that I will not do the disservice of ruining by posting here.

Track 5 – My nose ain’t broken (Reprise)

If only getting a date was as easy as in this song. I enjoyed how this song shows Rocky’s depth and how he stretches out to someone who is depressed by using his charming self-depreciation again. The song is simple but effective, and I am glad they included some of the dialogue for this track, as it adds heaps to bring to the fore the blossoming romance.  

Track 6 – The flip side

The ice skating song, simple and easy, but not in a bad way, building upon the setup from track 5. Rocky sort of comes across with track 5 and 6 as a loveable loser, which is very relatable. Because this point in the record we haven’t heard a lot from Adrian it is nice that she starts to come out of her shell a bit by bit. This is managed quite well, and the watchman counting down does ensure that the simple repetitive ice skating music does not stay around long enough to over stay its welcome.

Track 7 – Adrian

Rocky’s second solo, a love song.  At only 1:44 it does feel a little short, which is a shame because its message is a potent and deep well. This number could have been developed into a big ballad, but is held back to a simple, uncomplicated tune, with clean singing by Rocky, it’s nice as is, but I feel it could have been devastatingly good.

It is weird for a love song. Although I would have liked it to have gone bigger, where this could have been THE love ballad of the show, it is restrained. It’s tune, Rocky’s voice are rick with emotion, but it is subtle and if you are distracted you can miss it and the song. It’s nice as is, and some people may love it for its subtlety and it has lyrics which do draw upon a more realistic view of partnership where both parties are injured and have baggage:

‘We’ve been hurt, you and me,

We been told we’re nothing’ and

‘Somthin’ good is gonna happen,

All you have to do,

All you have to be

Is Adrian’

A powerful message for the depressed, that someone out there only needs us as we are, no matter how damaged.

My favourite moment of this track is near the end when Adrian’s theme ‘Raining’ is reprised, where my eye starts to twitch.

Track 8 – Wanna know why

You probably won’t listen to this track that often, preferring to skip over it upon multiple listens because it is essentially a dialogue scene, with some minor singing/talking in tune that reminds me of Professor Higgins.  However it does its job of forwarding the plot, and introducing both Gazzo (Rocky’s shady employer) and Mickey, and I have to admit it is quite fun to yell along with the characters when the Wanna know why’s start to fly.

Track 9 – Gonna fly now(variation)

The Rocky films had some very popular tunes during their run and this is the first of such songs on this Recording from the original film, if you enjoyed it from that however you may be disappointed from this 38 second instrumental. Its nice background music, but far too short to make much of impact besides possible nostalgia.

Track 10 – Fight from the heart

This is one of the stand out songs, and was one of the first written. This song was presented to Sly in the original pitch meeting, and it was probably the one that sold him on the idea.

Even more than ‘My nose ain’t broken’, this song should be used in auditions. It builds slowly, has a deep undercurrent that can be explored in inflection and has a nice, easy to remember beat. During this song Rocky reflects to his idol (Rocky Marciano) that he has to live up to his name, and that although he is aware that Apollo’s crew are looking for a clown, he doesn’t need to be. Boiling down to the ‘This is the moment’ of the musical.

Track 11 – One of us

The chorus is back in their crowd mode, but it is heads and shoulders above the opening in its entirety. The opening interviews between Rocky and Apollo before the event, which clearly delineates the differing personalities, are good for character development. The chorus really picks up its game after Rocky’s solo and do bring the end of the song, and therefore the first Act to an enjoyable end, just ignore there singing before Rocky’s solo.

Track 12 – Training Montage #1

The opening of Act 2 for the CD, which is the equivalent of this CD’s Entr'acte, and does give you nice snippets of other songs, but like most Entr’acte’s you probably won’t remember it.

Track 13 – In the Ring

This song is a soft reminiscing solo for Mickey. The singing won’t blow you away, but then again if you remember Mickey from the films, like Rocky he probably wouldn’t be a super great singer. The song reminds me a little of Tenterfield Saddler, sad and soft, looking back at lost opportunities. This is nicely juxtaposed with the dialogue (which is sort of a reprise of ‘Wanna know why’), where Rocky and Mickey come to an understanding.

Track 14 – Training Montage #2 (Featuring Eye of the Tiger)

Eye of the Tiger (from Rocky 3) has become such an anthem for generations of underdogs and is a popular work out tune, so this song has a lot to live up to. This track demonstrate to me what the show could have been if they had been a little more free with the ‘realism’ aspect. It knew it couldn’t overcome the nostalgia of the original if they tried to repeat it in a similar way, so they approached it from a different angle. The track as its title is a montage, showing Rocky’s development, his relationship development with both Mickey and Adrian and also benefits from the inclusion of Apollo essentially using segments of the song to state ‘I’ll be watching him fall, with the eye of the tiger’.

It manages to fit in iconic elements of the training montages – the punching of raw beef (sorry vegetarians), and who could forget the epic stair climb. To also rub in this track’s utter domination over both Training Montage #1 and Gonna fly now (Variations) this song is able to tie in actual singing of ‘Gonna fly now’ at the end of the song.

I specifically like the cute section between Rocky and Adrian, where she has a short reprise of ‘My nose ain’t broken’, and you can actually hear her accent (which is sort of lost during singing). They make such a cute couple.

Track 15 – Happiness

So this is our first actual love duet between Rocky and Adrian, which is a nice counterpoint to ‘The flip side’. It is not overly complicated, but does seem out of placed, perhaps the simple joys between the two feel out of place with the rest of the subtlety of the tracks.

Track 16 – I’m Done

Adrian has developed so much since ‘Raining’, building upon that tune, Adrian stands up to her overbearing brother Paulie – ‘Well Paulie, it’s not rainin’ any more’. It’s nice for the development of Adrian, but I feel that ‘Raining’ is the actual better song. Similar to ‘Happiness’ this song seems out of place, as if it was a draft version of ‘Get out and stay out’ from 9 to 5. Definitely not the worse song on the Recording, as Margo Seibert (along with Terrance Archie) are the highlights of the recording, it’s just not the best of her solos.

Track 17 – Southside Celebrity

The chorus is back with a vengeance bringing the goods from ‘Training Montage #2’ to lend good support to both Apollo (reprising ‘Patriotic’ and Rocky. It does build up to a duet between Rocky and Apollo which upon hearing you wonder why it is only really used in this song. The low point of the song is when Buddy sings ‘Hey, I always told ya, that you would’ because something is off with the delivery there and it has nothing to do with the singer, it was just the vocal composition for that line stands out like a sore thumb.

Track 18 – Undefeated man

Apollo’s anthem. Simple chant from his crew that he builds upon with quick, personality filled lyrics. Effective, yet subtle use of the Apollo girl’s ‘ahhing’ is also a highlight. I like how this song both demonstrates Apollo’s cockiness and made me feel like I was at the event. ‘You can’t defeat, clap to the beat’!

Track 19 – Keep on Standing

Rocky’s eleventh hour number that takes ‘Fight from the heart’ and adds the intensity, producing the most passionate vocal performance from Andy Karl. Musically it is not as clean as ‘Fight from the heart’ but I can definitely see it added to people’s workout music.

Track 20 – The Fight : Round 15 (Gonna fly now)

So we leap forward about 20 minutes into the play now to the last round of the fight. It is two commentators talking over the Rocky theme and ‘Gonna fly now’ instrumentals, that even if you probably won’t include in your playlist it does its job of setting the scene and giving you a nice verbal image of how the actors both are looking and acting at this point.

Track 21 – Finale

Once again, viewing this as a listening experience only, this is an underwhelming finale. We have an announcer who slowly fades into the background who tallies the votes, whilst Rocky calls ‘Adrian!’ and they come together at the end with a declaration by both that they love the other.  Music is stuff we have heard in other songs, and fades into the background the focus on Rocky and Adrian coming together to declare their love, which might work great on stage, but is lacking as the ending for a musical. Realism to the end. They didn’t have to do a new song, it could have even been a company reprise of ‘One of us’ or ‘Southside Celebrity’, though they would have got bonus fanboy points if they reprised ‘Eye of the tiger’, but no, we are left wanting.

To reward you for making this for here is the Rocky cast performing at the Tonys

Other reviews

Spiderman: Turn off the dark Cast Recording Review

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Original Cast Recording Review

Strange Bedfellows the New Musical Reivew

HAND Trailers

HAND, a tale of dystopian Australians, rebellion, love, betrayal with a hint of existentialism.

It follows the journey of three boys, and one girl and how they all try to find their way in this world, to varying degrees of success.

I thank Jassian Terri and her supportive cast and crew in the creation of the short film version and would definitely like to see a feature length production in the future.

But to whet your appetites I have hunted and prowled the Internet to find the elusive trailer for this production.

Support HAND, Support Australian Films.

http://jassian.com/hand-trailer.html

Please feel free to leave your comments and feedback.

Also while you are there please take a look around Jassian's website, you just might find something you like.

If you like the video and would like to be involved in theatre or film -well good news.

Jassian is currently running classes.

Not really into acting- well you can learn some martial arts.

http://jassian.com/

Visit - - because Jassian's training and style is unique. Like mine.

Dale Stam

Carbon Tax Hyperbolic Worries and Reality Part 3

Well it is the new year and the Carbon Tax passing into law still has not destroyed us yet...but what if it was. Find below part 3 of the hyperbolic worries that stem from the introduction of a Carbon Tax that is all tied into the world from the previous two entries in this series.


3. Livestock kept in bubbles.
The worry:
Australia has a large amount of livestock, with it being our main export after materials and minerals. However all these livestock release 11% of Australia’s greenhouses gases into the atmosphere. To combat this livestock will be placed into bubbles that will suck up the CO2 from their manure, and send it direct to the new super CO2 plants. By doing this we effectively reduce the environmental impact that livestock has. A possible downside of this situation would be the growing rift between the green movement between which is more important, the environment or animal rights.

An idealised version

How reality is almost there:
Australia has slowly been moving towards a more organic culture for their foods, however with the ever increasing cost of living, and the increasing population, things are just going to continue down the road of expensive living. Already we hear the public outcry about how normal Aussie families are unable to handle costs.

Due to environmental problems at farming sections of the country, levels of some livestock are lower than usual, and therefore following the supply and demand structure we see the price in meat increase. Which in effect prices out some of the social markets. With tariffs on important foods increasing their cost, some people within the lower socioeconomic sphere will be unable to afford meat, which will affect their possible nutrition (which many already claim is questionable in Australia), leading to a difficult question of how to make it cheaper for these people. The Government could set a maximum price, which in turn would effect already hurt farmers, or they could implement factory farming. It is space efficient (if less humane), and produces a large amount of product, which would effectively decrease the cost of meat for the population, by producing economies of scale- it is also cheaper for the farmer as well. When people are struggling, and costs are high they can do some things which are cruel, but coldly logical.

Scientists are currently looking into using microbes to convert cow manure into a renewable energy (biogas) which would reduce CO2, and provide a useful tool for society. In Australia the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have the Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program (RELRP) to develop methods to reduce emissions from livestock and their manure, and even increase the productivity of the farming industry. At the moment this research includes areas such as selective breeding, the use of microbes to reduce the natural greenhouses from livestock and manure, and a change in diet. You can find out more about this interesting research at the Departments for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website.

Exactly like this....Wait that's the wrong kind of bubble isn't it

Dale Stam

If you want to see what came before this check out

Part 1 http://dalesnewsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/carbon-tax-hyperbolic-worries-and.html

and Part 2 http://dalesnewsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/carbon-tax-hyperbolic-worries-and_10.html

Or if you are looking for a little more serious about the Carbon Tax check this

http://dalesnewsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/carbon-tax-and-what-it-means-for-you.html

COW 2011 Season end

Dear Readers,

I have just sent off the final portion of the Canberra Opera Workshop newsletter called COW Grazing.

Good news we made enough money to come back in 2012!

Well done COWS!

If you missed us in 2011, you have another chance this year.

Or if you did see us, we will continue to produce quality Opera productions.

If you are interested in joining please look us up on Facebook or type us into Google. Or look at past posts on this blog to take you direct to our website.

Early this year we will come together to finalise the show we will be producing.

Dale Stam

Writing progress

Well good news, the internet is working again, and I have progressed onto Chapter 25.

Things are starting to get lively.

Ladies and Gentlemen I present -Cow Grazing

It's finally up! The newsletter that I am aiding with over at the Canberra Opera Workshop or COW is finally up and ready for you dear readers to eat up, discuss and find out a little more about COW and their upcoming production The Elixr of Love.

Check it out here for the October updates;

http://www.canberraoperaworkshop.org.au/whats-on/cow-grazing-october/

And here for the November updates;

http://www.canberraoperaworkshop.org.au/whats-on/cow-grazing-november/

Whilst you are there book a ticket, or bring a party, we have a deal with Vilvaldi's restaurant that is providing a 3 course meal, and Opera tickets, for the civilised night out. Or even just to show your girlfriend that you are cultured.

Fun for all the family.

Let me know what you think.

Regards,

Dale Stam