Deseret News | 'Curtains' is old-fashioned fun

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Stage Review: 'Curtains' is old-fashioned fun

Anonymous | 8:40 a.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Erica, thanks; I have been anxious to see this review, knowing how much you like musical theatre.

You said:

"I was disappointed at some of the cuts the theater made to the role, however, as the character lost a bit of brass and wasn't able to grow as much."

Can you elaborate on that? Theatres aren't allowed to just make changes to the role, are they?

I saw this on broadway and LOVED it. I will be so disappointed if they changed the script.

Can you comment on that Erica? How do they get away with changing the words in the script?

answer | 12:31 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

anonymous, they can ask for permission through writing. I believe the rules are that you can't change anything that would change the intent of the show.

Anonymous | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Hale oftens gets permission to cut out swearing and sexual innuendo in a lot of the shows they do. I also saw the show in NY and can see how the character would be toned down for Utah audiences. She would certainly lose a lot of the shock value and humor that the role has.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 8:36 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

For a new show, I'd be very surprised if they gave permission. Few authors do.

I think Hale often does it without asking. I am surprised they haven't been burned by that before.

Interesting | 9:31 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Hale did soften the by using suggestions that the authors gave in the actual script for the show. They did not change the show. It is so easy to jump to conclusions. Yes, some of the shock value of certain words is gone, but I still found the show to be just as charming and fun.

The Fourth Nephite | 12:18 a.m. Oct. 11, 2009

These days, at least, HCT gets permission for any cuts or changes they make. I have known of plenty of cases in Utah where theatres make cuts or changes without permission, but Hale is NOT one of them.

Anonymous | 5:14 p.m. Oct. 12, 2009

As the highest paying royalty non-professional theatre in the nation, any cuts Hale makes are sanctioned. The publishing houses watch them like hawks.

But Hale knows their audience. In fact, they know middle America. It's why they are one of the few theatres growing through the recession rather than closing their doors.

Most theatre-goers outside of critics circles in New York would be shocked by the language of the original Debra Monk character. (Yes, I did see her brilliant, but obscenity-laced performance.) But losing a few curses for other less offensive words doesn't have to lessen the impact of the character, just her vulgarity - and thus, her likability to audiences in mainstream America.

I saw it | 8:24 p.m. Oct. 12, 2009

I saw "Curtains" on Broadway too and absolutely loved it. I'm going to see Hale's production later this month.

But, for anonymous, I wasn't at all 'shocked' and I'd hardly call it a obscenity-laced performance. There was the s-word, the d-word and hell. It's not like she had the mouth of a trucker.

My friend went to preview and texted me at intermission that she said "Holy Shnickes! (I don't even know how to spell it.)

I'm sorry... but that's lame.

Not Me | 10:42 p.m. Oct. 12, 2009

I'm not in the New York critics circle and I wasn't offended at all.

Hale certainly does know its audience: a non-assuming, easily offended, easily entertained, very talkative, LDS group.

They cater to this group and do very well. I'm sure a lot of their shows are high quality. But I've seen some schlock and have been offended at their attempts to protect me from the color of theater.

I'm done going there. I have been for a while. They don't miss me. They don't need me as a patron. But I'm not who they cater their shows to.

Take it for what it is: a fine theater that has found its niche in a very unique market.

Love Hale, but. . . | 11:21 a.m. Oct. 13, 2009

it seems like they don't chose their leads wisely in some productions. I've seen better productions of shows that Hale has done by rank ameteurs. That's saying something. Of course, not every show of theres is like that. I think every one just ooh and ahh at their specticle and call it a great show. One of their substatutions in Scarlet Pimpernel was ridiculous.

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