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I want to buy a gift for a friend of mine who's a theater techie and loves musicals, but I'm not sure what to get him. He said he doesn't want any musical soundtracks so I'm now at a loss. Can any musical lovers give me some ideas of what they'd like?
Posts: 2867 | Registered: May 2005
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Does he play an instrument (piano or guitar) or sing? You could get him a book of selections of music from a musical or one of those compilation books with music from several musicals.
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Posters from the shows can usually be had if that would be of interest. Have you seen his place/decorating style?
Also, sometimes props and things are available, and that might be of more interest to a theater tech person.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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Is the ban on soundtracks absolute? Because he might be tickled by a foreign language version of a show. For example, I have the original French concept album of Les Miserables that I quite enjoy. I also have a live recording of Les Dix Commandements that I enjoy somewhat less, but I like having it for the novelty. I bought both of them in France, though, so I don't know how easy it would be to find something like that where you are.
Would a solo album by one of his favorite Broadway stars be an option? Or are those included in the soundtrack ban?
If he's into theatre history/backstage stories at all, there are lots of books to choose from, including The Grimmerie (which does look really cool ). I don't know of any titles offhand, but maybe if you find a "how'd they do that" type book about special effects in musicals, that could appeal to both his interests? (And if there isn't a book about this, then there should be because I think it would be interesting! I'm thinking sort of a survey of famously spectacle-filled sets, i.e. the house in Sunset Boulevard, the car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, etc. Maybe I'll write it... )
This isn't exactly about musicals, but he might like a subscription to American Theatre magazine or some such. I know there's a magazine that's more tech-oriented, but I don't remember what it's called. Plus he might already have it.
There's also some DVDs that could appeal, like The Heat is On (about the making of Miss Saigon), Fosse, or Pajama Game, just as examples. The last two are videos of stage productions, not film adaptations, and the first is a documentary.
Hmm...that's about all I can think of right now. You might want to browse through the Dress Circle site for more ideas. It's an awesome London-based theatre shop, but they do ship to the US. You can probably find most of their stuff someplace US-based, but they do have a lot of things that would be really hard to find here.
And now this has made me feel like musical-shopping for myself. Must...resist...
Posts: 952 | Registered: Jun 2005
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I've learned never to buy a music lover music. I can never predict what they might be interested in but don't already have, and the last thing they need is two of something they might not be able to return.
I always give them the means by which to buy their own music, such as a gift card or something.
Posts: 3486 | Registered: Sep 2002
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Ah, see now, that's a great idea Nighthawk. That's what I would rather have more than anything in the world.
A friend of mine and I had a discussion about gift cards last night and we decided that if they were from a store that the receiver would love, they are not an impersonal gift.
Kojabu, have you checked to see if your friend has an Amazon wish list? Those are other great sources of info.
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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quote:Originally posted by sarcasticmuppet: How about a t-shirt?
Tech people like black clothing, boots, construction equiptment, and "dramatic" clothing. In other words, something slightly tacky and slightly classic. You'll see what i mean!
(<<<<sister is a theatre tech/ stage director
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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