Cash McCall – The Blues

I’m writing a paper for my english class about how incidental music can make or break a play. Specifically, the importance of music in A Streetcar Named Desire. I’m looking to use a play that got bad reviews because of details such as music, stage design, costumes, etc. as an example.

Thanks
Brittany

As an actor, I can tell you that it takes more than a good cast to make a good play.

Stage design, music, even lighting and sound cues or mic levels can make or ruin an otherwise good script and cast.

I’ve been in productions of Beauty and the Beast with a live orchestra, excellent costumes, and and amazing set and it was wonderful.

I’ve also seen the same show with taped music, home-brought costumes, minimal set…

A great cast can overcome the set, the lighting, and the costumes if the director is good.. but a weak cast with poor lighting, costumes, or casting is doomed if that overshadows the actors performances.

What people don’t realize is that the stage design, lighting, and music is just as important a part of a production as the actors.. they enhance the mood and flow of the play. If done poorly, they stop the motion and cause the audience to lose focus on what the actors are trying to convey on stage.

There’s a stage term called "pulling focus".. which means when you’re watching a play or movie.. and something in the background (lights / set / music).. makes you stop focusing on what the main characters in the scene are doing, and instead look at something else. That’s considered very bad in the industry and all shows try like hell to avoid that from happening…

Hope that helps…