Project #2 unconventinal theatre

1) A Midsummer Nights Dream by Shakespeare

Directed by Kate Lynch

Producing Theatre Company -Theatre Passe Muraille
Performance dates -November 2001

"Theatre Passe Muraille's stellar
all-woman production of A Midsummer Night's
Dream..."
http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/multimedia/imagegallery/m_i_8.cfm

This is considered an unconventional production because of the all female cast. All though when originally produced it was with an all male cast this production turns the table around. The director wanted to see how the connection to the gender of the cast would convey the story and how much different it would be from an all male cast or gender specific cast.

2) The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Directed by David Fielding

Performed at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre April 28th- 29th May 2005

"Phallic cucumbers emblazoned across the walls, men in skirts and the medley of gay anthems that rings out during the two intervals leave little to the imagination."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2005/05/06/earnest_reviewed_feature.shtml

This production of Oscar Wilde's Importance of Being Earnest was unconventional in the way that not only was it performed with an all male cast, but the set and other elements were unconventional too. The characters alone were done in an over-the-top manner with the women played by men being overly flamboyant. The set was emblazoned with pink tulips and even had a huge purse hanging over the stage which shows how unique this production of a classic was done.

3) A Cat On A Hot Tin Roof by Tenessee Williams

Directed by Debbie Allen

Performed at The Broadhurst Theatre in New York February 12th- April 13th 2008

**Staring James Earl Jones, Terrence Howard, Anika Noni Rose, and Phylicia Rashad**

" Not only is Broadway history being made, African American theatre history is also being made!"
http://www.gainformer.com/Files/All%20Black%20Cast%20in%20Cat%20on%20a%20Hot%20Tin%20Roof%20is%20Super%20Hot.htm

This production of Tennessee Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is unconventional in the aspect of casting all African-Americans even in the parts that are typically cast as whites . This was a year when many Broadway shows were practicing untraditional casting in the area of ethnicity. This was a smart move because of the current audiences that were attending Broadway shows and wanted to see more African-Americans among the scene.

4) Richard II by Shakespeare

Directed by Meryl Federman

Produced and Performed by the Hyperion Shakespeare Company October 21st-24th 2009

"Hyperion Shakespeare Company’s “Richard II” attempts to interpret Shakespeare’s play anew by using an all-female cast, with limited success."

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/10/26/play-richard-allfemale-character/

This production can be considered unconventional because of the gender casting as all female. This show usually has men play the majority of the parts and this theatre company wanted to explore if masculinity has to be there in order for the king to seem powerful. This production challenged the accepted rules of femininity versus masculinity.

5) The Man Of Lamancha by Dale Wasserman

Directed by Steve Wilson

Performed by Phamaly ( Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League) July 23- August 16th at the Space Theatre in Denver

"PHAMALY's production of Man of La Mancha is a triumph. Not because the vitality and momentum of this very fine musical make you forget that all the performers in the PHAMALY company are disabled — some in wheelchairs, some stumbling, some unable to see. "

http://www.westword.com/2009-07-30/culture/phamaly-s-man-of-la-mancha-is-impossibly-good/

This show can be considered unconventional in many ways because of the cast of all handicapped people. Among the cast includes people who are blind, deaf, or even wheelchair ridden. This show involves much dancing and singing and with the non-traditional cast for this show is done differently then most have experienced it. With different barriers to try and adjust to this show was unconventional in more ways than one.