Technology is important in the broadway play to make elaborate backgrounds and represent different scene environments. Technology transforms the broadway stage into a real life play-land for the actors and the audience to feel like their watching a motion picture and making the art as natural as possible. The ultimate enjoyment of the technology is the element of surprise it offers to the audience.
Follies (2011 Broadway Revival)- Preview http://youtu.be/-BXKfT5FQ3E
26 seconds in the background lighting is blue, however the spotlight is a pink/red color giving the singer more glow and uniqueness which caught my eye. Than in the same video 11 seconds later the group of dancing Follie choreographed kicks and pretending to smoke while crossing the stage in front of a color changing cloud background that deepens in red which is like the fire of the cigarette.
So in love Rachel York http://youtu.be/i31KAYUWRSc
The entire video Rachel sings about love in her room while the light captures shadows of her pacing in her room and in her lovers room next door. Shadows represent the night in this instance and give the scene a lonely feeling.
Too Darn Hot (Dance Sequence)- Kiss Me, Kate http://youtu.be/Y8akvxDJQVc
From the second minute to the fifth the mural of the sky with clouds is originally light oranges and purples than fades into darkness as a night scene, maybe if they weren't dancing about how hot they were they would be a little cooler.
Tony Awards 2009 West Side Story http://youtu.be/d_lbeersIS4
In this excerpt of West side story, long shimmering material dangles down from the top of the gym/stage.
Than changes color in the fourth minute when a guy and girl get a close up for a private dance. At the same time of this the entire stage went from red to blue.
Topol in Fiddler on the Roof (first video) http://youtu.be/ZX-zTAgK5HA
At the 45 second mark there is an orthodox wedding taking place at night. In the upper left corner there is a blue light which represents the moon. Even though its night there still shines three spot lights on the bridesmaids to the right and groomsmen to the right and at center stage the bride and groom. The light as the moon or the sun help the audience know not only the time of day, but also how much time has elapsed over the duration of the play.
La Cage Aux Follies (Original Broadway Cast) http://youtu.be/1CJ23vPxvYo
Right off the bat at center stage is a costume that blossoms into a flower. The technology on the costume allows the audience to see something unachievable through dancing or singing. Then a minute later while poles fall fromt heavens to pick up the costume angels and take them away. An elevator system on stage is cool when you want to take people out of the scene or drop them in.
Scenes from Bye Bye Birdie http://youtu.be/BqHjBIJKzRc
Everyone on stage is in a wheely phone booth spinning round and round. This is an expressive to make a phone call and get contact with a friend. Than the technology wowed me when the train zoomed cross stage at the 39th second, it was probably a large cart on wheels, but to have that as a background is on a broadway stage is something else.
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