Assassins

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:16pm

Hey guys. I am directing and musical directing a production of Assassins at my high school and I'm really excited about it. The only thing is, I found out that I will not be able to use a live orchestra due to the capabilities of the theatre we will be using. I was wondering if anybody had any backing tracks for this show, or knows anybody who can sequence the whole score for me into backing tracks to use for the show. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Noah :)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:23pm

I'm assuming you have licensed the rights to perform this musical? If so, contact MTI and they can give you them (I believe). It'll all be computed into a keyboard then you just press the piano key and it plays the background automatically for you.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:26pm

I know that MTI has the rehearscore which is a rehearsal computer program which I currently have. I think the thing that youre talking about is the Orchextra which they only have right now for a few of their shows (which doesnt include Assassins...I wish it did though) Thanks for the input though.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:35pm

You should contact MTI about your problem.

because, I believe, you HAVE to have some form of live orchestra

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:39pm

Is that really a rule? Because almost every single community theatre production I've seen and been in this year has used a recorded track (which is unfortunate, but...i guess its cheaper)

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:40pm

well, before you do anything, contact MTI

it would be a shame to have all your hard work put to waste when the production is shut down

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:42pm

Yeah, that would suck. I'll send them an email. Thanks

[myManCape]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 12:41am

Live Orchestra could be a pianist, with tracks.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 12:48am

Do you think the show would have the same impact if I just used a live pianist playing the score? And possibly add a drummer if we can find enough room. I just love the orchestrations (especially the ones from the revival since those are the ones MTI licenses) and I was wondering if it would still have the same impact on the audience if I were to use a MUCH simpler orchestration.

[timote316]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 12:49am

You don't *need* the extra tracks for Assassins. It was originally done with just a piano.

[jsand25]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 12:58am

Assassins should not be done in high school. Older characters are needed.

[timote316]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 1:02am

Well, that and the whole language/subject matter....

While I agree that ASSASSINS isn't a high school show, the 'needs older characters' arguement holds no water. If that were the case, the only musicals high schools could do would be something along the lines of Charlie Brown. That's saying that all shows featuring adult characters shouldn't be done.... it just doesn't make sense.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 1:09am

I think its fine that we're doing Assassins. Its not the big musical we do every year, its part of a small drama festival at the end of the semester. I think its one of the greatest musicals ever written and it definitely will be a very educational experience. I think I am and the cast I plan on having is mature enough to take on the subject matter (so what if they say F#$* a few times throughout the show? its not that big of a deal)

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 1:38am

Actually the original production was orchestrated for 3 instruments. I wanna say Piano drums and guitar

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 2:17am

I think more high schools should do it. Most high schoolers wouldn't know who President Garfield and McKinley are. Not to mention the whole Ronald Reagan/Jodi Foster connection, and Emma Goldman.

If anything, it's a great History lesson.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 8:37am

Well, with high school theatre, it's not always JUST high schoolers who come see it. Students may not be phased by saying f***, but a grandmother may be when she sees her grandchild day it. And what would members of the community say if a school put on a show like that?

Not to say I don't love "Assassins", I just see the clear limits of widespread performance in high schools.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 9:17am

Well, the thing is, every year, our school is able to get away with these kinds of productions. Last year, a student directed Rumors with not one curse word cut. The year before, another student directed This is our Youth. We always put a disclaimer out in front of the theatre and show it to people when they buy tickets. The school board has not had a problem with us yet and actually come to see all of those performances.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 9:24am

Random suggestion: I actually prefer the score in its original, simpler version. If you had to do it with only a (live) piano synthesizer (sp?) I think it could work pretty well.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 9:30am

Ok. good. Thanks for the help guys. I'll contact MTI and see if they have the simpler orchestration available.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 9:17pm

MTI said that I cannot use a recording at all to accompany the show, only live music. I guess its good that you guys like the more minimal orchestration, because I think I'm going to have just a live piano (perhaps a bass and percussion if there is room) Thanks for the help.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 9:29pm

Late to this, but I was at the original version and the score, like most of Sondheim's scores, work just fine with only a piano. It's how he wrote it... (that sounded more snarky than intended)

Orchestrations are "candy" on this and many other scores as well.

However, dramatically this shows works beautifully with just piano and other percussion.

Initially, I was concerned about a High School version, but then had to think back many, many years and wish we had more material to work with than the "safe" stuff when I was in High School.

Good luck, and have fun! (and please let us all know--with pictures--how it goes!)

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 9:50pm

I think it is good as a high school musical. I mean it really is a history lesson, I have used the information from it in school MANY times.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 10:06pm

You're right!

It would be some of the only history they're actually teaching in the school system these days...