Musings from the Theatre Quarters and Being Spartacus
A decent turnout in the 'horse' country (Brandon, FL) theater last night - about 100 folk. The theater grew quite boisterous over Phantom and we gave them a weeping standing ovation during the end of their performance. The audience sat totally bored with Blue Devils (WTF??) and even Cavies and Crown couldn't get us going the way Phantom won our hearts.
The theater show was well done except for some of the obscure camera angles on bizarre percussion instruments and way too much time on floating away balloons. The ancient broadcast styling of Steve and Dennis was entertaining and quite funny without getting too cornball as these two tend to be. I loved the announcer at the end of the show reliving "On the starting line from Hawthorne, NJ... the Muchachos"... the audience, from my age on was quite appreciative and I had nano second flashbacks.
I saw Phantom in Atlanta and admit to not being a particular big fan of theirs over the years. BUT... "I Am Spartacus" totally slapped me into submission (oh, to be in their guard and beaten by drummers *sigh*) and for the first time in many years I did tear up (in person and in the theater) and loved the ending of the drum major murder - STUNNING! The "movie" missed a lot of very important and amazing drill sequences especially in the 'battle' scene and the hornline goose stepping onto the field in the beginning was thrilling to see in person as the dark mood was set. I remember the first two Spartacus shows but this year showed what should be done if corps are going to use theatrical/themes as the premise of show design. Total integration of Corps and Guard served its purpose instead of the guard being its own circus act - save the silly costumes and vague ballet for guard season.
I have seen Crown twice this year (Orlando/Atlanta) and the frenzied music though familiar can be trying, yet, I am totally in love with the well trained guard as it interprets the show brilliantly and yes, Dennis indeed could have been the model for their wigs.
An aside from reviewing the top five... I do see much promise in Madison and after meeting several of their members in Atlanta, they are really, REALLY young and I will predict that they will climb back up to top 5 within a couple of years. They really cleaned themselves over the past couple weeks and they have a very nice show. They are so close to making finals this year but it looks doubtful.
If you concentrate on the corps instead of the "stage", Cadets actually have a very nice show - I was shocked when George admitted it to be not one of their better shows and was glad that he changed the drop off the cliff soft ending to a traditional grandstand horn blast. I felt embarrassed for the 'actors' as the camera stayed too long on their awful lip-syncing - like watching a bad Godzilla movie!
My problem with Devils is that I am always bored with their shows - the only time I enjoyed them was in 1976. BD has all of the great elements, drill, guard, percussion and hornline and are very clean - but nothing emotionally. Just a nice safe show and they were the only corps that the theater did not react to at all. Overheard conversations as we left the theater - "typical DCI politics".
A big Splooie devotee of Cavies, they do not engage me emotionally either and again they have all of the clean, strong elements and always a beautiful guard. Very nice drill but wish for better integration of guard and corps.
It is great to see Crown in the top five - the prize this year should be a toss up between Crown and Phantom with Cavies third.
The theater show was well done except for some of the obscure camera angles on bizarre percussion instruments and way too much time on floating away balloons. The ancient broadcast styling of Steve and Dennis was entertaining and quite funny without getting too cornball as these two tend to be. I loved the announcer at the end of the show reliving "On the starting line from Hawthorne, NJ... the Muchachos"... the audience, from my age on was quite appreciative and I had nano second flashbacks.
I saw Phantom in Atlanta and admit to not being a particular big fan of theirs over the years. BUT... "I Am Spartacus" totally slapped me into submission (oh, to be in their guard and beaten by drummers *sigh*) and for the first time in many years I did tear up (in person and in the theater) and loved the ending of the drum major murder - STUNNING! The "movie" missed a lot of very important and amazing drill sequences especially in the 'battle' scene and the hornline goose stepping onto the field in the beginning was thrilling to see in person as the dark mood was set. I remember the first two Spartacus shows but this year showed what should be done if corps are going to use theatrical/themes as the premise of show design. Total integration of Corps and Guard served its purpose instead of the guard being its own circus act - save the silly costumes and vague ballet for guard season.
I have seen Crown twice this year (Orlando/Atlanta) and the frenzied music though familiar can be trying, yet, I am totally in love with the well trained guard as it interprets the show brilliantly and yes, Dennis indeed could have been the model for their wigs.
An aside from reviewing the top five... I do see much promise in Madison and after meeting several of their members in Atlanta, they are really, REALLY young and I will predict that they will climb back up to top 5 within a couple of years. They really cleaned themselves over the past couple weeks and they have a very nice show. They are so close to making finals this year but it looks doubtful.
If you concentrate on the corps instead of the "stage", Cadets actually have a very nice show - I was shocked when George admitted it to be not one of their better shows and was glad that he changed the drop off the cliff soft ending to a traditional grandstand horn blast. I felt embarrassed for the 'actors' as the camera stayed too long on their awful lip-syncing - like watching a bad Godzilla movie!
My problem with Devils is that I am always bored with their shows - the only time I enjoyed them was in 1976. BD has all of the great elements, drill, guard, percussion and hornline and are very clean - but nothing emotionally. Just a nice safe show and they were the only corps that the theater did not react to at all. Overheard conversations as we left the theater - "typical DCI politics".
A big Splooie devotee of Cavies, they do not engage me emotionally either and again they have all of the clean, strong elements and always a beautiful guard. Very nice drill but wish for better integration of guard and corps.
It is great to see Crown in the top five - the prize this year should be a toss up between Crown and Phantom with Cavies third.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jackie Fritsche on -
The two shows that keep playing over and over in my car are Phantom's and Crown's. Awesome sound! I agree with you on Blue Devils, I thought they were fourth after Phantom,Cavaliers and Crown.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Field Eaton on -
Being in the percussion snare line for the Racine,Wi.YMCA KIlties of the mid 50's and formerly of the Racine Boys of '76 and MIlwaukee Wi. Militares percussion, I find it just great living here in Rockford, Il home of the Phantom Regiment. My wife and I make Videos and digital images of their pre season concerts. These give the public a great oppertunity to see and hear the wonderful symphonic quality in this corps. We have personally met and talked with the Director : Rick Valenzuela in the Regiment office at Rockford College. This years concert featured the production music of Paganini as told in the story of "The Red Violin". In addition, they presented a guest performance by The Boston Brass Quintet who joined them, in the number "The Overature of 1812". This was to be the last performance of J.D.Shaw with the Boston Brass and as a tribute to him the Regiment played his favorite song with him playing the french horn solo : "Nessun Dorma". For those of you who dont know Shaw, he is the music arranger for the Regiment. Truely a night to remember for all time for many people. Paul Rennick Regiment percussion instructor and arranger joined the Brass in a jazz number playing the set drums. What a night. SUTA
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