SAROFIM HALL

5 - 2 8 , 2 0 1 4DECEMBER

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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS · 2014/ 15 CONTENT GUIDEAbout TUTS

Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS’ Education provides barrier-free instruction and stage experience, through the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre and The River program for children

with special needs. TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston’s high school theatre programs. TUTS is housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Glance towards the sky before you enjoy a performance at the Hobby Center; the fiber-optic ceiling keeps TUTS “under the stars” all year long. TUTS is pleased to present the 2014/15 season.

THEATRE ETIQUETTE

Save snacks for intermission.

Turn your cell phones and electronics off completely.

No texting!

Arrive about 30 minutes before the show starts.

Applaud at the end of songs and scenes. Otherwise, shhhhh!

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HISTORYEDUCATOR’S GUIDE

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

5 ......... DETAILED SYNOPSIS

9 .........10 .........

10 .........11 .........

A BRIEF HISTORY PUTTING ON A SHOWTHEATRE ETIQUETTEABOUT TUTS

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIES

BACKSTAGE: ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE

CENTER STAGE: ROCKETTES

TABLE OF CONTENTSTUTS creates online content guides to further enhance students’ theatrical experiences. The content guides contain various discussion questions, projects and activities that encourage students to engage with parents and/or teachers that will hopefully foster a love and appreciation of musical theatre.

COMI

NG U

P IN

THE

2014

/15 M

AINS

TAGE

SEA

SON

VICTOR VICTORIA

RADIO CITY

KINKY BOOTS

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

THE MUSIC MAN

CINDERELLA

September 16 - 28, 2014

December 5 - 28, 2014

February 10 - 22, 2015

March 17 - 29, 2015

May 5 - 17, 2015

May 26 - June 7, 2015

TUTS 2014/2015 STUDENT MATINEESBRING IT ON PG-13Sept. 12, 2014at 10AM, Zilkha Hall

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH GMarch 24-27, 2015at 9:30 & 11:15AM, Zilkha Hall

SCROOGE GDec. 2-5, 2014at 9:30 & 11:15AM, Zilkha Hall

PARENTAL

ADVISORY

OR LESS$8

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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS · 2014/ 15 CONTENT GUIDESummary & Characters

A dance review of popular Christmas skits.

TUTS gives this show a movie equivalent rating of G.

Adult Language: None Violence: None

Drugs/Alcohol: None Sexual References: None

For a more detailed synopsis, see page 5 of this content guide.

PARENTAL GUIDELINES

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CENTER STAGE: ROCKETTESDetailed Synopsis

ACT I

SCENE 1: Sleigh ride

Through the snowy mist of a magical Northern Forest, the world-famous Rockettes are revealed as Santa’s reindeer, eager to make a special unscheduled flight – to Houston!

SCENE 2: Overture

The Radio City Singers wish you a Merry Christmas!

SCENE 3: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Santa brings up the curtain for a rhythmic, rousing tap rendition of the beloved carol.

SCENE 4: The Nutcracker

A sparkling new look at the Christmas classic-a cherished story of childhood dreams coming true.

SCENE 5: The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers

Everybody’s favorite, polished up and brighter than ever.

SCENE 6: New York at Christmas

The Rockettes board a customized double-decker bus for a whirlwind holiday tour of Manhattan. Join them as they take in the sights, from Central Park to the pulsing neon heart of Times Square!

SCENE 7: Here Comes Santa Claus

How does Santa do it year after year? How can he be everywhere at once! See for yourselves…

SCENE 8: Magic is There

Santa gives a pair of young friends a hand with their last-minute shopping. Along the way they get a magical trip from Times Square to the North Pole and back again- and a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

SCENE 9: Christmas Memories

A warm tribute to the special holiday traditions we hold dear.

SYNOPSISSCENE 10: Let Christmas Shine

The true lights of Christmas come from within, The Rockettes are joined by the entire company in a heartfelt message of hope and love.

SCENE 11: The Living Nativity

The beautiful and inspiring story of the first Christmas-told reverently in pageantry, music and scripture.

SCENE 12: Joy to the World

Lend your voices as we celebrate the arrival of this happiest of seasons!

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CURTAIN CALL: EDUCATOR’S GUIDE

HISTORY OF RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

THE ROCKETTES

Radio City Music Hall served as a beacon of hope in a city cloaked in darkness. In October 1929, on Black Thursday, John D. Rockefeller was in procession of a twenty-four year lease on a ninety-one million dollar piece of property in midtown Manhattan. Slotted to become the site of a new Metropolitan Opera House, his plans were changed drastically when the stock market crashed. Yet, Rockefeller made a bold decision to build an architectural masterpiece - an entire complex of buildings so superior that they would attract commercial tenants even in a depressed city flooded with vacant rental space.

The search for a commercial partner led to the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), a young company whose NBC radio programs were attracting huge audiences and whose RKO studios were producing and distributing popular motion pictures. Rockefeller’s financial power and RCA‘s media might were joined by the unusual talents of impresario S.L. “Roxy” Rothafel. Roxy had earned a reputation as a theatrical genius by employing an innovative combination of vaudeville, movies and razzle-dazzle décor to revive struggling theatres across America. Together they realized a fantastic dream—a theatre unlike any in the world and the first completed project within the complex that RCA head, David Sarnoff dubbed “Radio City.” Radio City Music Hall was to be a place of beauty, offering high-quality entertainment at prices ordinary people could afford.

Radio City Music Hall is the largest indoor theatre in the world with its marquee stretching a full city-block long. Its auditorium measures 160 feet from back to stage, and the ceiling reaches a height of 84 feet. The Art Deco theater was specifically designed with no columns to obstruct views, making every seat from the orchestra to the three shallow mezzanines the best seat in the house!

The Hall contains more than 25,000 lights and features four-color stage lighting. A huge proscenium arch that frames the Great Stage measures 60 feet high and 100 feet wide. It is comprised of three sections mounted on hydraulic-powered elevators, making it possible to create dynamic sets and achieve spectacular effects in staging. A fourth elevator raises and lowers the entire orchestra. Within the perimeter of the elevators is a turntable that can be used for quick scene changes and special stage effects. The shimmering gold stage curtain is the largest in the world.

For over 70 years, America’s most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences here. Today, the Music Hall continues to attract celebrities from the worlds of entertainment: sports, the media, and national life. In the past decade, Radio City has hosted the top live award shows in the world including the Grammy’s, the Tony’s, The MTV Video Music Awards, the Daytime Emmy and the ESPY Awards. It has also been the site for “Time Magazine’s” celebration of its 75th year, complete with a visit from the President, celebrities, politicians and virtually everyone on “Time’s” cover for almost a century. It has remained a magical place for people in the spotlight. To step out on the Great Stage of the Music Hall is to know what it’s like to be a star.

The Rockettes began as a dance troupe known as the Missouri Rockets. In 1925, theatrical impresario Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel discovered them and brought the dancers to New York’s Roxy Theater, where they appeared as the “Roxyettes.” This name was kept until they debuted as the “Rockettes” at Radio City on opening night, December 27, 1932.

Rockettes are proficient in many dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet and modern. They must pick up the choreography quickly and pay attention to details. Also, since the troupe dances so closely together, arm placement is especially important to the choreography. They always move as “one dancer.” Today’s Rockettes must also have singing abilities.

In terms of height, Rockettes are between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 1/2 inches tall. To create the illusion of uniform height, while the troupe is in its famous kick-like formation, the tallest dancers perform in the middle of the line. The height of the performers decreases as they move out from the center.

Over the years, the dance troupe has appeared around the world. In 1937, the Rockettes traveled to Paris to take part in a dance exposition, and during World War II, the dancers entertained troupes abroad as part of the United States Organizations.

The Rockettes remain a national treasure. Their annual starring role in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and in other cities across the United States, is seen by more people in one year than any other live show in America - more than 2.1 million people annually!

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CURTAIN CALL: EDUCATOR’S GUIDE

THE ROCKETTES-FITNESS, HEALTH, AND BEAUTY

THE ULTIMATE DANCERS SURVIVAL KIT-ROCKETTES STYLE

TIPS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE

The Rockettes maintain a vigorous year-round fitness regimen in order to perform effortlessly. Each individual Rockette is evaluated by Head Fitness Trainer, Elaine Winslow-Redmond, in order to create a personal training program. The focus of any Rockette is strength, flexibility and endurance. A balanced diet and fun cardio focused activities - zumba, yoga and running - help to give each girl the signature Rockettes’ look. For more information on the Rockettes workout or beauty tips, see links below.

Here is our go-to list of what to pack and additional tricks of the trade.

• Pack a day or two before the performance

• Create a checklist or spreadsheet

• Use sealable plastic bags of different sizes to group like items. Label the bags.

• Use a plastic storage container with compartments for makeup and other small items.

• Put each costume, as well as its accessories into its own bag. Label it.

• Roll clothing items to save space and reduce wrinkles.

• Label everything with your name and how to reach you.

• Don’t forget to bring patience and a positive attitude!

http://www.rockettes.com/fitness-and-health.html#pageContent•http://www.rockettes.com/beauty-and-fashion.html#pageContent

COSTUME MAKEUP HAIR HYGIENE &BEAUTY

FIRST AID FOOD &DRINK

MISC

ALL COSTUMEPIECES/ ACCESSORIES/

PROPS

EXTRA TIGHTS/SHOES/JEWELRY/BRA STRAPS

PINS/EXTRA CLOSURES

LINT BRUSH

BODY ADHESIVE/ CLEAR NAIL POLISH

SCISSORS/DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE/HOT GLUE

FOUNDATION/CONCEALER/POWDER

EYE SHADOW/EYELINER/MASCARA/BLUSH

LIPSTICK AND LIP LINER

FALSE EYELASHES AND EYE GLUE

APPLICATION TOOLS AND BRUSHES

COTTON SWABS/COTTON BALLS/ BABY WIPES/

MAKEUP REMOVAL WIPES

BRUSHES/COMBS

BOBBY PINS/HAIR NETS

STYLING SPRAYS/GELS/CREAMS

ELASTIC HAIR BANDS

SPRAY BOTTLE OF WATER

STYLING DEVICES

COLD CREAM/VASELINE/ MOISTURIZERS

LIGHTLY SCENTED BODY SPRAY/ PERFUME/ DEODORANT

NAIL CLIPPERS/ NAIL POLISH REMOVER

RAZOR AND SHAVING CREAM

FACIAL TISSUES/ A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER

TRAVEL TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE

CLEAR ADHESIVE BANDAGES IN DIFFERENT SIZES AND SHAPES

BLISTER BANDAGES AND PRODUCTS

ACE BANDAGES AND WRAPS

HOT AND COLD PACKS/ OINTMENTS

PAIN, DRAMAMINE, ANTACIDS, AND OTHER

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES

PRESCRIBED MEDICATION

A WATER BOTTLE

WIPES

PAPER TOWELS

HEALTHY SNACKSAND FRUIT

YOUR MUSIC CD/ AN MP3 PLAYER AND HEADPHONES/

BATTERIES OR CHARGERS

COLLAPSIBLE BASKETS OR HAMPERS, HANGERS,

CLOTHESPINS, COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHING RACKS.

A NOTE PAD OR JOURNAL, COLORING BOOKS, READING MATERIAL,

HOMEWORK, OTHER STUFF TO DO

PENS, SHARPIES, AND/OR A LABEL-MAKER

CASH

EXTRA CLOTHING WARM-UP AIDS LIKE ROLLERS, MASSAGE BALLS,

OR RESISTANCE BANDS

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1. What was your favorite part of the show?

2. As you heard and saw, the Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular is filled with much dancing and singing. What was your favorite song of the show? Why was it your favorite?

3. What was your favorite dance number? Why was it your favorite?

4. Why was it different watching singing and dance numbers live on stage compared to watching singing and dancing on TV or in film?

5. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has been a popular show for generations. Discuss some of the reason for its continued popularity.

6. Recall your memories of the show. Recall your favorite moment of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular by closing your eyes. Spend some time just remembering everything you can about the moment including what you saw, heard, smelled, tasted and felt. Open your eyes and write a short paragraph describing the moment in terms of your five senses and your emotional senses. Use as many senses as possible.

7. Write a review of the show, judging the dancing, the singing, the staging, the lighting, the sets, the costumes and the music. Share it with your class.

8. If you enjoyed the show, why would you recommend it to your friends?

9. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is filled with many dance numbers. Think critically and creatively about the nature of dance, its relation to the other arts and its relation to other ways of looking at humankind. Use resources to find information to understand the subject matter.

10. The Radio City Rockettes are world famous precision dancers. Discuss what it takes to work so perfectly together. What other activities require so much teamwork?

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESLearning Activities

RESOURCES:http://www.rockettes.com/

http://www.radiocity.com/content/rockettes.html#/home

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/03/obituaries/russell-mark-ert-91-the-founder-and-the-director-of-the-rockettes.html

http://www.dance-teacher.com/2010/12/russell-markert/

AFTER SEEING THE SHOW

TIMELINE1925 – Choreographer Russell Markert introduced precision dancing with “The Sixteen Missouri Rockets.” Their debut is in St. Louis.During the troupe’s first tour, renowned theaterdesigner Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel catches a New York City performance. He enjoys the show so much that he arranges for the women and Markert to move to New York to perform in Rothafel’s new Roxy Theater. He has Markert double the size of the group and rename it “Russell E. Markert’s 32 Roxyettes.”

1932 – On December 27, opening night ofRothafel’s Radio City Music Hall, the Roxyettes, now a line of 36, perform with other top New York acts.

1933 – Radio City offers audiences a new movieeach week, introduced by an extravagant performance by Markert’s glamorous dancers,

still known as the Roxyettes. One year after the opening of Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center, Rothafel has left the theater. Markert renames the dance troupe the “Rockettes” and they perform the first Radio City ChristmasSpectacular that December.

1933’s “The Christmas Show” introduces some of Markert’s numbers that would eventually beassociated with the Rockettes and becomes aChristmas Tradition. Markert’s legacy as a choreographer is well established. He will continue to contribute to the choreography of Rockettes’ routines into the 1970s, when he is in his nineties.

1942-45 – By touring with the USO, the Rockettes contribute to encouraging servicemen in their mission of defending freedom during World War II.

1997 – Cablevision Systems purchases Radio City Productions from the Rockefeller Group for $70 million and launches another $70 million in renovating the Music Hall to look exactly like it did on opening night in 1932.

2000 – The New York Rockettes begin offeringdance lessons to girls 10 to 18. For $79, a girl gets a two-hour lesson with the Rockettes and a tour of Radio City.

2001 – The Rockettes release “Kicking Into Fitness,”a workout video. That year, they also performed at the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

2003 – The Rockettes continue to star in theRadio City Christmas Spectacular not only atRadio City, but also in theaters across America!

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BACKSTAGE: ABOUT MUSICAL THEATREA Brief History

Live theatre is a unique experience that engages the audience much more than movies or TV. Musical theatre is the only genre of performance that fully utilizes acting, singing and dancing together to further the development of the plot.

Musical theatre’s roots can be traced back to ancient times, where

the Greeks used music and dance in their tragedies and comedies. Next, fast forward to the 1700s where comedic

operas were popular in Europe. In 1866, the first “musical” by modern definition, The Black Crook, opened in New

York City. In the 1920s, Florenz Ziegfeld’s famous Follies showcased star actors and actresses with extravagant sets and

costumes but was mainly a musical revue of popular songs.

The end of the 1960s saw changes in Broadway, like HAIR, one of

the first rock musicals. Unusual concept musicals such as Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban’s A Chorus Line and Sondheim’s

cynical Company led to big-budget musical operettas like Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s

international hit Les Miserables and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Well known movie and

literature favorites like Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (which premiered at TUTS in 1994) and Stephen

Schwartz’s Wicked have been adapted into family-friendly, special effect spectaculars. At the same time, in reaction

to the rising ticket cost and flashy spectacle of Broadway, shows like Jonathan Larson’s RENT aim for a less

polished, more personal theatre experience. TUTS was a part of the production enhancement team that moved

RENT from off-Broadway to Broadway, and continues to benefit from that association, presenting the original

Broadway and film leads in a special engagement in 2009.

Innovative new musicalslike the rowdy productionof Matilda and the fresh take on Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderellahave been attracting and pleasing younger audiences.The revival of the beloved classic Annie starred a Theatre Under The Stars alum, Sadie Sink, in the title role and successfully creating a new generation of musical theatre lovers. Broadway audiences have also fallen head over “heels” for the Tony Award winning Kinky Boots, the story of a struggling shoemaker and his unexpected new businesspartner. Between movie and book adaptations, revivalsof past favorites and contemporary boundary-breakers,there’s no doubt the Broadway musical is here to stay.

ORIGINS & FOLLIES

EARLY YEARS & THE GOLDEN AGE

CONTEMPORARY & MEGA-MUSICALS

WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

In 1927, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s Show Boat premiered, which featured complete integration of book, music and score to tell a story. During “The Golden Age of Broadway,” famous composers and lyricists churned out hits, like George & Ira Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (1935), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (1943), Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun (1947), Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story (1957), and Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate (1948).

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Putting on a Show

BACKSTAGE: ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE

Whether you’re a stage manager, actress, director, costume designer or composer, when it comes to putting on a musical, all roles are important. Here’s a roadmap for getting a musical to Broadway.

Producers must find a show that their audience will enjoy and will want to purchase tickets to. They also need to plan the budget for the production. Producers rent a theatre and pay royalties to the composer, lyricist and writer of the musical’s book for the rights to perform the show. One resource for discovering new musicals and connecting with the world of musical theatre is the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), which was founded by TUTS’ Frank Young in 1985. Please visit NAMT.org for more information.

The creative team includes the director, set designer, costume designer, choreographer and music director/conductor. Together with the producers, they discuss their vision for the show and how they will bring it to life on the stage.

The director and choreographer will hold auditions for the parts in the show. For most Broadway shows and tours, actors must be a part of the Actors’ Equity Association and have an appointment, but sometimes an open call will be held. After the cast has been chosen, rehearsals begin. Actors must memorize their lines, songs and choreography before dress rehearsals and the show’s opening. For information about auditioning for shows at TUTS, please visit TUTS.com.

If the show looks good after previews, it will open. Most Broadway shows perform several times a week at night and usually have a few matinees as well. Some shows have a specific closing date; other shows will continue performing as long as people are buying tickets.

GATHERING THE CREATIVE TEAM

CASTING AND REHEARSAL

PERFORMING FOR AN AUDIENCE

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FINDING THE PERFECT MUSICAL

Choreographer – the person who creates the dances and movement patterns for the show

Stage Manager – the person who manages and takes care of the stage, sets and all special effects; directs the stage hands

Stage Hands – technicians and trained individuals who work side stage and back stage before, during and after the show to make all special effects, scene changes and clean-ups happen.

Prop Master – the person in charge of getting, storing, maintaining and sometimes creating the props used in the show.

VOCABULARY Audition: a tryout for performers.

Open call: a casting open to anyone without appointment

Dress rehearsals: rehearsing in full costume and full tech as though there is an audience.

Previews: performances before the show opens for a limited audience to test public opinion.

Matinee: an afternoon or early evening show.

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Thank you!

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TUTS CONTENT GUIDE

You are the only person qualified to determine what is appropriate for your child(ren)/student(s), but we hope the information and rating system in this guide were helpful. This content guide was designed by Gaby Quintana, written by Christina Martinez, and supervised by Scott Howard. Please feel free to copy and distribute. Updated Digital Edition: April 2014.

Email any questions, concerns or comments to Christian Brown at Christian@tuts.com.

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