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 Bit
by bit,
Putting it together.
Piece by piece,
Only way to make a work of art.
Every moment makes a contribution,
Every little detail plays a part.
Having just the vision's no solution,
Everything depends on execution:
Putting it together.
"Putting It Together"
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Copyright © 1984, 1985 by Rilting Music, Inc.
All Rights Administered by WB Music Corp.
All Rights Reserved
The theatre has formed an integral part of music for centuries.
Many of the master composers have experienced their greatest
success in the theatre, from Mozart and Wagner to Gershwin
and Sondheim. All people, throughout the centuries, love to
hear music with their eyes. This is not just a part of history,
however, this theme continues in popularity to this day.
That piece of real estate in New York City, known as Broadway,
has seen the production of contemporary music's most treasured
repertoire; it has been the working place for dozens of America's
most gifted composers, lyricists, playwrights, producers,
directors, and performers. Staged musicals of genuine quality
demonstrate the endurance and staying power unique to most
popular music today. This can create a wonder themed meeting
or event.
Around the nation the "'Stomp' idea is still one of
the most popular shows to use for general sessions. A three-person
percussion show really wakes the crowd up and gets them in
the mood for the start of their meeting. These musicians can
incorporate different 'instruments' into their performance:
garbage cans, BBQ grills, kitchen appliances and utensils,
and even your company's product (within reason). It makes
a powerful statement." Music has the ability to capture
an audience's attention, mesmerize them with sound and rhythm
and create a memorable event that will stay with them long
after everyone has gone home.
Look for "Boy Bands" such as the Back Street Boys
or 'N Sync for event entertainment, as well as themes like
"My Big Fat… whatever" plus a continuance of
Broadway themes. Witness total cross-pollination from pop
star to the big screen to the Broadway stage.
'N Sync's Joey Fatone joined the cast of hit Broadway musical
"Rent" back on August 5 (2002) at the Nederlander
Theatre. Fatone appeared in the role of struggling video artist
Mark Cohen through December 22 (2002). While Fatone has appeared
in several films including the comedy "My Big Fat Greek
Wedding," "Rent" marks his first foray into
theater (Associated Press, July 23, 2002).
Stacy Garner of the New York Times writes, "These days,
Broadway has been relying on the creativity of film directors
to produce plays. Although many movie-made Broadway shows
like "Big" and "Saturday Night Fever"
were disappointments on the Broadway scene, many more movies
are currently being made into musicals." (Garner, April
14, 2002).
It is thought by some that the lack of creative writing skills
in today's playwrights is pushing the theater industry towards
the move to 'stage movies.' President of the League of American
Theaters and Producers, Jed Berstein, says that one of the
biggest problems with Broadway shows is the high price of
production and risk of low turnout. By making box-office hit
movies into Broadway musicals, Berstein said that people are
more likely to give the show a chance before any reviews are
made. Therefore, directors can have a good idea of how the
paying public will respond to the show by how they responded
to the movie. This idea of combining the musical and movie
industry is similar to that of the fashion industry. Berstein
mentioned that this is the same idea as when Calvin Klein
sells jeans and then decides to sell a line of perfume also.
The League of American Theaters and Producers recognizes that
just because a movie was successful does not mean that it
will be successful on the stage" (Garner, April 14, 2002).
The wonderful thing about event entertainment is that if
it is working your guests can get transported from their trials
and tribulations to the world you have created for them, albeit
for four hours, but a different world none the less. So I
guess the goal of managing the creative process for meetings
and events is to enrapture your attendees and to, "Leave
your troubles outside." --Joel Grey, from the Broadway
show as well as from the motion picture, Cabaret.
See Tips: Utilizing Broadway
as Stimuli for Creation
This month's featured
NY/Broadway/Cabaret Artist: Julie Budd
 Mark
Sonder, CSEP is the Chief Entertainment Officer of Mark Sonder
Productions, a leading national entertainment agency providing
headline talent and production services for large venues,
corporations and associations. In addition, Sonder sits on
the faculty of The George Washington University, Stratford
University, Northern Virginia Community College, University
of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) and The University of the West
Indies. Event
Entertainment and Production is the book published by
Wiley authored by Sonder.
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