Best Sondheim Song for Sign Language Interpretation?

Hey guys!

I need your help! I have to do a interpretation or transliteration (my choice) of a song in American Sign Language or CASE, respectively. As the easiest songs to sign are ones that are mini scenes, the first composer I thought of was Mr. Sondheim. The only draw back is that his lyrics are almost always paced so quickly. Can you guys think of any powerful or funny sondheim songs that aren't too quick that may be a good performance piece for my final?

I need to come up with 3 possibilities by Tuesday. My only Idea so far is "Losing My Mind."

Oh and it doesn;t have to be Sondheim but I am far enough into my degree where the songs cannot be simple and straight forward. They must have depth beyond the words. But I am open to songs by other composers if you have suggestions.

Thanks again for all the help!

Rose's Turn could be fun

Not Getting Married Today would be an absolute riot if I had enough time to learn it but I think I only have a couple days.
I'm Still Here-I initially thought this was going it be my song! But with all the names and references, I;d have to fingerspell too much therefore making less singing
But Now, Soon, or Later could be very promising... But Rose's Turn hmmm I'll try it out. Any more ideas?

Haha, that would be so cruel, SondheimFan5! Those are all hard enough in English...

I think one that would work really well (if you're up for the challenge) is "Moments in the Woods" from Into the Woods. There are so many different acting beats and opposites that would work well with ASL. Just like the song in English, there would be shifts in tempo, body language, facial expression, questions and answers, etc. Again, this would be difficult, but it would be a fun one.

If you'd prefer something easier (well, a ballad), something like "No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods or maybe "I Remember" from Evening Primrose could work. Sondheim is a good composer to choose from because he uses imagery and comparisons that I think would work well when interpreted in ASL. Just as long as the lyric doesn't have heavy use of wordplay.

Children Will Listen, My Friends or Move On. :)

Updated On: 11/18/11 at 02:50 AM

I think "Hello, Little Girl" from INTO THE WOODS could be kind of funny.

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Mr. Goldstone
Someone In A Tree
No One Is Alone
The Worst Pies In London

Not that I know much about ASL, but I immediately thought of That'll Show Him from Forum for some reason.

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Brett, are you fluent in ASL? I'm studying to be an ASL interpreter as well and have been learning a few Sondheim songs on my own. If you're looking for something easy I enjoy signing "Stay With Me". A harder song but a lot of fun to sign is "The Worst Pies In London".

Other "easier" songs that would be good might be "There Won't Be Trumpets", "Not a Day Goes By", "Sorry-Grateful", "Loving You", "Children & Art", "Beautiful", "Sooner or Later".

If you're looking for something other than Sondheim, "With One Look" or even "As If We Never Said Goodbye" would be great. "Memory" would be beautiful, as well.

I immediately thought of Somewhere and No One Is Alone. Non-Sondheim: If I Had A Million Dollars grok The Me Nobody Knows with signed solos. =)

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Thanks for all the suggestions!

Jordan- Let's just say that I SHOULD be fluent. I have completed all my sign language classes and have been taking interpreting/transliteration classes. I have three classes left in my Interpreter Training Program (SL-ITP). But my one vice is that I don't practice enough, making my vocabulary suffer. But other than that I can commuicate very well using ASL. Strangely enough, when I am having a conversation my vocabulary is fine but wjen I am interpreting the situation is completely opposite. Well I guess it is not strange since interepting is very, very different than just speaking(or signing!) a language. How long have you been studying? Where are you going to school if you don't mind me asking? I wonder because I remember search for ITP programs in the city and was unable to come up with any, well except for one stellar looking program through LaGuardia. One thing I have found so far is that interpreting really is not that difficult but interpreting well is where the hard work comes in.

So far I think my three songs will be
-Losing My Mind
-The Strip(2008 version)
-????