42ND STREET
Classic Broadway Musical - 42nd Street
08-07-2007
On August 7, 3pm, the press conference for the premiere of American
classic Broadway musical 42nd Street was held in Shanghai. 42nd
Street is produced by Troika Entertainment and Broadway Asia
Entertainment, and directed by Mark Bramble, the writer and
director of the Tony award-winning Broadway revival. From September
5 to 22 this year, the dazzling bright lights of 42nd Street in
Manhattan, New York, will be brought on the stage in the Shanghai
Majestic Theatre.
Numbers of 42nd Street
The 1980 original was performed on Broadway for nine years (from
August 1980 to January 1989); the 2001 revival was on Broadway for
four years (from May 2001 to January 2005); 54750 sets of exquisite
costumes; over 50 performers together on the stage performing
American tap dance; tens of thousands of light bulbs creating a
multi-step stage set; a 3m x 7m (height * width) huge mirror will
be hung on the stage; nominated for 8 Tony Awards in 1981, winning
2 (Best Musical and Best Choreography); nominated for 8 Tony Awards
again in 2001, winning 2 (Best Revival of a Musical and Best
Leading Actress of a Musical).
The Authentic Broadway Musical
Starting from 2002, every year one or two musicals were introduced
into the Chinese market, but among these productions, Notre-Dame de
Paris was from France, while the others, Les Miserables, Cats, and
The Phantom of the Opera, were all productions of West End in
London. This time, however, the whole cast of 42nd Street
performing in Shanghai was handpicked by Mark Bramble, the author
and the director of the Tony Awards winning 42nd Street 2001
revival production. Not many touring musicals can claim to have the
playwright participating in the casting process, let alone
directing it. Therefore, it is genuinely "Made in Broadway". The
crew of 42nd Street is very strict with their work on the stage
set. All the technical works of sound equipment are to be done by
the American technicians. It is not allowed to open the show if the
standard of staging technique did not meet the Broadway
requirements. To guarantee the quality of the performance to be the
same as the original, all the stage sets and sound systems are
brought from the U.S., and nothing will be purchased from the local
store.
American-style Broadway Tap Dance
The curtain is up for only a couple inches, with music, hundreds of
colorful dancing shoes are clicking on the wooden floor. With the
curtain rising up, those dancing legs and skirts show to the
audience. Over 50 performers are auditioning for a role in the
show. In the happy tap dancing music, the performers are trying
everything they can to show their skills and energy. This is the
opening scene of American Broadway Musical 42nd Street. The
uniqueness of this scene brings fresh air to the audience.
Tap dance has always been the biggest bright spot of 42nd Street.
Having over 50 dancers together on the stage performing American
tap dance will probably be unprecedented in China. The scene will
be absolutely nothing less than the River Dance performed in
Shanghai years ago. Apart from the much larger scene, the Shanghai
audience should be more familiar with the tap dance style in 42nd
Street. Back in the 1930s, in the old Shanghai, American tap dance
was already spread among all the large entertainment places. At
that time, American tap dance was in the movie Singing in the Rain
and the movies by Shirley Temple, from the beginning to the end. It
can be said that since decades ago, American tap dance has already
built a unique relation with Shanghai.
The 1930s Nostalgia Culture
As a Backstage Musical about American show business in the 30's,
42nd Street shows the daily life of the performers, from rehearsals
to performances. It is said to be the "play within a play". On the
one hand, 42nd Street shows American views of the old America, and
shows the flavor of the 1930's New York. On the other hand, the
costumes and the stage set of 42nd Street represent the marvelous
Broadway stage of that time. All of these illustrate the Broadway
show business in the 30's in the best way. Also, 42nd Street
restores the original flavor from its old film version, so in this
live performance people who like Hollywood classic movie will have
the opportunity to experience the 1930s New York by
themselves.
Cinderella's American Dream
As a typical backstage musical, which shows the real life of
performers, 42nd Street tells the audience that everyone's dream
can come true if one is talented and dedicated.
Mark Bramble, Director of 42nd Street, said, "This is a typical
'Cinderella Story'. I think everyone would like the story. After
seeing 42nd Street, everyone will learn something from the show.
They would feel like it is a good day to be alive. As to the show
business, nothing can be more important than encouraging people in
the real life!"
The movie 42nd Street, which was set in the Depression Era, the
1980 original backstage musical 42nd Street, and the exciting
revival version of 42nd Street, are all fantastic productions of
tears and laughter. 42nd Street is not only a legend of the
American Dream, but also a story for everyone standing on the
crossroad of life and fighting for their dreams.
The audience, who already saw 42nd Street before, commented that
?2nd Street has everything people are looking for. The musical
shows all kinds of typical characters of the show business. The
choreography, especially, could blow people away from the first
minute to the last. Everyone could not help singing and tap-dancing
after the show is over.
Robert Nederlander Jr., from the Nederlander Family in America,
remarked that the reason that they chose 42nd Street this time to
perform in Shanghai is that this show is the most typical Broadway
musical, with big scene and simple conversation in English, and
will be easily accepted by the Chinese audience.
Historical Status and Significance
As a typical backstage musical reflecting the life of stage, 42nd
Street, by designing a gorgeous stage, tells people that dreams
would come true as long as one has talent and works hard. No matter
in 1993, 1980 or 2001, no matter in any corner of the world, this
theme will always inspire many people to struggle for their
dreams.
If the movie 42nd Street in 1933 aimed at wiping off people's pain
from the economic crisis, seeking comfort from the scene of dancing
and singing, and injecting hopes and dreams into people's life
during the Great Depression; If the original musical 42nd Street in
1980 brought Broadway musicals out of the British invasion, and
facilitated the revival of the whole Broadway musical industry,
then the 2001 revived version most vividly reflected the prosperity
of the contemporary spirit of entertainment in the American
society, and once again ignited the creative passion of Broadway
musicals.
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Classic Broadway
Musical - 42nd Street
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