Shenandoah, third post.
Finally, let me get a word in about the use of unit sets for shows that didn't use them when first produced.
BAD IDEA!
The problem faced at the Ford's is that they don't really have the space for a curtain, so that scenes can be performed in front of said curtain while the set behind is being changed. The result is that sets must be changed in front of the audience, with some other action being performed as a distraction.
Through most of Shenandoah, this isn't really a problem. However, for the conclusion of the show, it's a disaster.
Early in the first act, there is a scene set in the local church. The Anderson family arrives, late as usual, and takes their seats at the front of the church. "Boy," the youngest son, is the last to arrive, to the titters of the others in the congregation.
As der Brucer has told me quite often, this scene is repeated at the end of the play, with the Anderson family (or what is left of it) arriving late and taking their seats at the front of the church. Then Boy arrives, his family unaware of his presence, his father the last to become aware that his kidnapped son has returned at last. As der B has told me, this is a very strong staging, and key to the success of the play.
The scene before this finale, in the original staging, is done in front of the curtain, while the church set is being put in place.
However, remove the curtain, and there's a problem. Getting that church on stage takes time, as was clear when it was put on the Ford's stage in Act One. There's a lot of benches that need to get on that stage, and a lot of people. This doesn't happen in an instant. Sadly, when you get to the return to the church in Act Two, there's no time to get that church in place. Remove that curtain, and setting the stage behind Charlie during his final meditation would distract from that meditiation. Take the time to set the stage after the meditation, and the timing is blown into the proverbial handbasket.
The solution at the Ford's was to not have Boy's return take place in the church. He just shows up, and runs into Charlie's arms. All the oomph of the finale was gone.
Dammit, the show needed the curtain, or some way of getting the church on stage quickly.
Unit sets for shows written before the unit set craze begain just don't work. Bleh.
