The People in the Picture - Volume 3

Allison has headed off for the premiere of The People in the Picture! Today is our last entry about her involvement in the production:

Describe the process of getting the show on "its feet", how long it has taken to become produced, and why it took so long (were there speed bumps along the way and what were they?)

It is not unusual for a large musical to take 7-10 years to finally see a full scale production. The development is dependent on a continuous swing back and forth from script work, to new song development, hearing and seeing it with performers in workshops, and then back to the drawing board for more rewrites.  Every step along the way has to be funded, and supported, and shepherded by fans and friends.  Tenacity is key.  There are always hurdles to overcome when you are working in a collaborative art form. So, it's not unusual for the development to have fits and starts.  People go about their lives, create other plays and songs, and have many irons in the fire while they are working on the show.  They also have to make a living of course.  Rarely do they see any monetary gain until the show is produced, running for a while, and of course well received by audiences and critics.  It's a gamble, at best.

What else should we know about this production and your role in it?

A few years ago, a well known director became attached to the project, named Leonard Foglia. Many directors of new musical take over the dramaturgy as they prepare for production, and start to consider casting and staging issues. It was an indicator to me that the piece would have legs, as they say. I passed the baton to him, and I am happy to report, I was correct.  He is directing the Broadway production, and Donna Murphy stars in the lead role.  I am so proud to have traveled this journey with these amazing artists. Can't wait to see it!

For more information, visit their website!

The People in the Picture - Volume 2

Last week, we were introduced to The People in the Picture.

This week, Allison talks a bit more about her specific role (as dramaturg) with the project and how she became involved:

What is a dramaturg (dramaturge - I've seen it spelled both ways, which is correct?) and what were your duties as such?

A dramaturg (either spelling is correct) in terms of new play development, is the writer's consultant regarding story arc, plot, characters, dialogue and lyrics.

How did you become involved in this production?

Iris Dart, the bookwriter and lyricist, is a close friend of the creator of STORMY WEATHER (A musical biography of Lena Horne).  I had helped to develop that property when I was the Artistic Director of Broadway on Sunset (a musical theatre development company in Los Angeles) from 1995-2000. She asked me to consult on the piece beginning in 2001. At that time, the script had not yet been read aloud, even once. That began a series of reading, rewrites, workshops, and recordings that continued for the next 10 years.

More information on The People in the Picture can be found here. 

Tune in next Wednesday for our final installation! 

The People in the Picture

You may know University Theatre's Assistant Director, Allison Bergman, as instructor, director and acting coach to University Theatre students, but she has been working diligently on The People in the Picture for several years. The show is now opening on Broadway in April. 

Of course we wanted to take the opportunity to ask Allison some questions about her experiences working on this production. I will post this series every Wednesday through the end of April, enjoy!

1.  What is the title of show, what is it about and when and where does it open?

The show is called THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE.  By Iris Dart, with music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. It is actually two stories, one taking place in 1930s Poland, and one in 1970s New York.  What connects them is the lone survivor of a Yiddish acting troupe who, in 1970s New York, is the mother to a TV comedy writer trying to make ends meet on her own, and also the grandmother to a young precocious child. She is caught between her two worlds; one of memory and one, reality. The major themes center around the power of laughter, and the celebration of cultural heritage. It opens on Broadway April 28 at Studio 54.

More information can be found on their website.

Join us next week for more from Allison!