Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – "Is that Sunset Boulevard scene dangerous? | The truth behind what is going wrong on Broadway..."

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host/Author: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey-Jo)
• Episode Title: Is that Sunset Boulevard scene dangerous? | The truth behind what is going wrong on Broadway...
• Release Date: October 8, 2024

Introduction

In this episode, Mickey-Jo delves into the controversial revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, directed by Jamie Lloyd. The discussion centers around a specific stunt in Act 2 of the production, which has sparked debate regarding its safety and artistic merit.

Key Quote:

“The question of the day is, is that moment in Sunset Boulevard dangerous and hazardous and irresponsible and ill conceived to perform in New York, or do people just hate fun? Whatever happened to fun?”
— Micky Jo (00:00)

Historical Context and Production Background

Mickey-Jo provides a backdrop of the Sunset Boulevard revival, highlighting its origins in the West End's Savoy Theatre and its transition to Broadway’s St. James Theatre. He touches upon Andrew Lloyd Webber’s notorious past with Patti LuPone, which adds dramatic flair to the show's history.

Key Points:

• The revival is Jamie Lloyd’s most notable directorial work on Sunset Boulevard.
• Comparison with the London production, which employed similar stunts.
• Jamie Lloyd’s reputation as a visionary director who seeks to uplift and celebrate theatrical text through innovative staging.

Notable Quote:

“Jamie has always been this wunderkind director who in recent years has become more and more emboldened in creating shows in his own style.”
— Micky Jo (03:30)

The Controversial Act 2 Stunt

At the heart of the episode is the discussion of a specific stunt in Act 2, where the character exits the theater during the performance, with a live video feed relaying the action back to the St. James Theatre. This moment blurs the lines between the onstage performance and the real world, creating a meta-theatrical experience.

Detailed Description:

• London Production: The stunt involved walking through the streets of London, interacting with various backstage elements, and culminating back on stage.
• New York Production: Adapted to fit the St. James Theatre’s layout, including a brief walk through Schubert Alley, leading to minor incidents with the public.

Notable Quotes:

“There are going to be spoilers hereafter, by the way, if you haven't seen it yet, there is a particular stunt that they perpetrate.”
— Micky Jo (02:30)

“Tom Francis handled this like a pro... he is doing something that’s cool and innovative and creative and fun and a really exciting part of the show.”
— Micky Jo (13:45)

Behind the Scenes and Technical Challenges

Mickey-Jo explores the technical complexities involved in executing the live stunt, emphasizing the coordination required between the cast, crew, and technical team to maintain seamless live feeds without delays.

Insights:

• Tom Francis, the actor performing the stunt, shares his initial doubts and eventual confidence in making the stunt work despite technical difficulties.
• The production team faced challenges during rehearsals, particularly in handling live audio without delays.

Notable Quote:

“Jamie pushes you to extreme. And we did. We've got there in the End we made it work and it's still working. It's great.”
— Tom Francis (14:49)

Public Reception and Controversy

The stunt has ignited debates on social media, with some praising the innovation while others criticize it as hazardous. Mickey-Jo addresses the backlash, countering the negativity with his support for creative risks in theater.

Key Points:

• Comparisons to other Broadway stunts, such as Bryan Cranston’s performance in London.
• Incidents during previews, including minor collisions with the public in New York’s Schubert Alley.
• Speculation regarding the stunt’s feasibility in varied weather conditions and high-traffic areas.

Notable Quote:

“Why do people hate fun? Why do we not want this to succeed? Why are we already posting on socials going, oh, I knew this, you know what, I knew this would fail.”
— Micky Jo (13:10)

Comparison Between London and New York Productions

Mickey-Jo contrasts the London and New York implementations of the stunt, noting differences in execution and public interaction. While London’s version included more extensive choreography and audience engagement, New York’s adaptation has faced logistical limitations.

Key Points:

• London’s stunt involved a longer route with more audience engagement.
• New York’s version is shorter, leading to a more pedestrian execution.
• Possible future adjustments, such as alternative routes or additional security measures.

Notable Quote:

“If on your daily life, walking around New York, I don't know, the president should appear and is accompanied by Secret Service and you try and walk in front of him, then something's going to happen to you as well.”
— Micky Jo (12:50)

Defending Innovation in Theater

Mickey-Jo passionately defends the production’s innovative approach, arguing that theater thrives on creativity and boundary-pushing. He criticizes social media content creators who incite negativity without firsthand experience of the performance.

Key Points:

• Emphasis on the importance of attending performances to form informed opinions.
• Critique of online naysayers who detract from artistic experimentation.
• Encouragement for the audience to support and give chance to the innovative directions in theater.

Notable Quote:

“Why are we not about problem solving? That's what the theatre is. I see so many opinions of people being like, ugh, bored of the same old tired things. We want new, we want exciting, we want different.”
— Micky Jo (15:00)

Conclusion and Call to Action

Mickey-Jo wraps up the episode by reiterating his support for the Sunset Boulevard revival and its creative choices. He encourages listeners to experience the production themselves before forming opinions and invites them to engage in respectful discussions.

Final Thoughts:

• Anticipation for reviews and personal experiences once he witnesses the production in New York.
• Hopes for positive reception from both audiences and critics.
• Emphasis on community feedback and respectful discourse.

Notable Quote:

“I don't think you can criticize a show to the extent I'm seeing some people criticizing it and rooting for its demise. If you haven't seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to go and see this first, to fully understand it in its full, intended theatrical context, and then complain about it if you want to.”
— Micky Jo (16:20)

Additional Highlights

• Engagement with Audience:

  • Mickey-Jo invites listeners to comment and share their thoughts.
  • Encourages subscriptions and following on various social media platforms for more content.

• Personal Anecdotes:

  • Mentions the use of props like plushes representing characters.
  • Shares anecdotes about rehearsals and behind-the-scenes efforts.

• Future Content:

  • Plans to cover upcoming productions and provide reaction videos.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Micky Jo (00:00):

   “The question of the day is, is that moment in Sunset Boulevard dangerous and hazardous and irresponsible and ill conceived to perform in New York, or do people just hate fun?”

2. Micky Jo (03:30):

   “Jamie has always been this wunderkind director who in recent years has become more and more emboldened in creating shows in his own style.”

3. Tom Francis (14:49):

   “Jamie pushes you to extreme. And we did. We've got there in the End we made it work and it's still working. It's great.”

4. Micky Jo (13:10):

   “Why do people hate fun? Why do we not want this to succeed?”

5. Micky Jo (12:50):

   “If on your daily life, walking around New York, I don't know, the president should appear and is accompanied by Secret Service and you try and walk in front of him, then something's going to happen to you as well.”

6. Micky Jo (15:00):

   “Why are we not about problem solving? That's what the theatre is."

7. Micky Jo (16:20):

   “If you haven't seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to go and see this first, to fully understand it in its full, intended theatrical context, and then complain about it if you want to.”

Final Remarks

MickeyJoTheatre's episode offers an in-depth analysis of the Sunset Boulevard revival, blending historical context, technical insights, and passionate critique. By addressing both the innovative aspects and the controversies, Mickey-Jo provides a balanced perspective aimed at fostering informed discussions within the theater community.

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