Regional productions of See What I Wanna See

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:32pm

I know it only closed about seven months ago, but does anyone know if there are/will be rights for regional productioins of SWIWS? I have mixed feelings about it- it's an amazing show that people need to see, but it's also very difficult and I'm not sure I would want to see any amateurs put it on. I haven't heard of any regional productions of it yet... are there?

[alterego]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:35pm

I doubt anyone would want to go near it.

[GodIHopeIGetIt]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:35pm

I don't think LaChiusa would want any regional productions, but I do agree that people need to see that show. No one wants to see the little baby theater company putting it on with Carole Anne's big sister playing Kesa.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:39pm

How is it difficult? In subject matter? In producing?

I've listened to some of the CD at Barnes & Nobles and love it.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:40pm

this show (along w/ pretty much all MJL stuff) cannot just fade away. His work must be done and there are plenty of regional theater companies capable of pulling this show off brilliantly. I really hope that he releases the rights to certain prof. groups. But yeah I also have been trying hard to find out when the next production will be. Do you think maybe this or Bernarda Alba have a shot in the college theater scene? I love both of these shows!


I think people would maybe stay away from it b/c LaChiusa is very difficult stuff to learn...also they might think that a lot of people wouldn't get it. Who knows? But yeah wait till you all hear Bernarda's CD...it's amazing. As is SWIWS Michael John is genius!

Updated On: 7/7/06 at 10:40 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:43pm

How is it difficult?

In many ways- the music is ridiculous. For the orchestra and for the actors. Very very tight harmonies and weird note jumps and just very difficult music to learn and sing. Also, many theatres might not want to do it due to subject matter. Also, the actors have to play 2 or 3 very different and developed and layered characters. Granted, that happens in a lot of shows. I think the most difficult thing is the music, though.

[forgetregret]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:46pm

I'm not sure if this is technically considered regional, but the show is apparently being put on at the Lyric Stage Theater in Boston sometime during the 2006-2007 season.
Article

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:47pm

I think many companies can pull it off. As long as they know what they're getting into when they agree to do it. It's a tough show, but I know there are plenty of people capable of pulling it off.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 10:54pm

Oh, COME ON. The music isn't as impossible as you say. I actually think See What I Wanna See is relatively tuneful. A competent musician will be okay. If Idina Menzel can sing it, plenty can! Why wouldn't Michael John want people to do regional productions of his shows? What writer wouldn't want to see his shows get produced all over the country? What is so controversial about the subject matter? It'll get done. I guarantee it. It is, if anything, just the sort of musical that will appeal to college students. Maybe it won't be good as the Broadway version, but, well... isn't that to be expected?

[kyle.]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 11:04pm

If regional theatres can do A Little Night Music, Sweeney, Evita, etc. they can do SWIWS. The subject matter is far more adult than any of the shows I just listed, but you know what I'm saying.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/7/06 at 11:10pm

I think it's just that you don't see alot of Michael John being done regionally...which is sad I know that there was the LA production of Wild Party a while ago...but other than that. Has anyone else attempted Marie Christine? I'm sure Hello Again and First Lady Suite have been done regionally. I wasn't saying that it was that difficult and I agree that it's LaChiusa's most "catchy" score. But since when did catchy or tuneful= easy? Nothing the man writes is easy and everything he writes is very tricky and complex and difficult to perform wether it be for orchestra or actors. I agree that I could see colleges loving this. forgetregret I remember hearing about that...if that happens I will definitley be there. I was so pissed that I never got to see this off broadway.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 12:59am

It might not equal easy but it equals memorable, and it makes people want to do it themselves.

See What I Wanna See certainly isn't for kids, but I wouldn't say it's more adult than Night Music (a sex comedy) or Sweeney Todd (about cannabilism and revenge). I suppose it does have an on stage rape in it.

I'm just saying that just because it's difficult music doesn't mean people can't learn it.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:10am

I know that the rights for the show have been secured by Dramatists Play Service and the script for this (and Bernarda Alba - R&H) will be coming out sometime soon.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:15am

soo exciting!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:26am

The Wild PArty has been done quite a lot - including at CMU starring Megan Hilty as Queenie.

I believe Marie Christine has been done once after B'way. Maybe with Audra, I am not sure.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 2:11am

Speaking of Megan/CMU, Carnegie Mellon is doing See What I Wanna See next year.

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 6:58am

I saw SWIWS at the public twice,and would love to see a regional production at Center Stage in Baltimore in the future.They always put on great productions and have the perfect theater to stage this in. It is very similar to the Anspacher at the Public. Unfortunately, they have already announced their season so it won't happen until at least 2007-08.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 9:38am

If Idina Menzel can sing it, plenty can!
I don't think that's fair. She's been doing this for a long time and is not incompetent. She also said in an interview on Broadway.com that it is very difficult music. As for the subject matter, I think the first scenes of the show and second act make it very mature.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 9:57am

"I don't think LaChiusa would want any regional productions"

That's stupid. He wouldn't want his work to be seen by more people? He wouldn't want his work to have a longer life? He wouldn't want the money that comes along with the rights to a production?

"No one wants to see the little baby theater company putting it on with Carole Anne's big sister playing Kesa."

I thought Carole Anne's big sister was wonderful in Brigadoon.


kmc

[so. much. drama.]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 11:06am

i believe that the KNOW THEATRE is putting this on in their 2006-2007 season. it's in ohio.