School edition of SWEENEY TODD coming soon..

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:06pm

Why? Sondheim allowed this???

http://www.mtishows.com/SweeneyTodd/index.asp

[catstagestud]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:08pm

Those will be some interesting productions. :-P

Cheers,

Christopher

[mateo]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:10pm

I know a High School that has their name in for Spring.

I would be designing the set. Although, I'm not really feeling it. I'd rather design HOW TO SUCCEED. Its more my style.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:12pm

I must say, though this could turn out some travesties (of course what high school version of any show couldn't?), but I am very excited, if only for the fact that I want to do it.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:39pm

My sister's high school did Sweeney 3 or 4 years ago. What's the point of this version?

[mateo]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:42pm

^ Oh, well if this is some sort of abbreviated version - then forget what I said above.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:43pm

I must say that I personally think that to properly perform this show there are a few requirements.

1. You must be at least college aged
2. You must have extensive vocal training
3. You must have extensive acting training


In my intro. to theatre class my freshman year of college my teacher said he personally didn't think even most college students do not have enough training to pull off this show, and I agree with him. The vocals and the acting in this show is really demanding (imo). And the thought of a High School production of Sweeney just makes me sick to my stomache.

[jake6970]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:48pm

Highschools do Sweeney fine all the time...what's the need for a school version?

[mateo]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 10:49pm

lake,

That's sort of how I feel.

Although I think some HS's can pull it off and do it well. They just need a good drama teacher and students willing to put in the work.

Updated On: 12/13/07 at 10:49 PM

[singingwendy]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 11:38pm

Many of these school editions also change the vocal keys to ones that are more singable for younger singers. Haveing sung the first soprano parts in the ensemble, I'm all for lowering it for high school kids. I really don't want to hear most high school girls attempt to sing high C and D sharps.......


I'd also imagine it would leave out the Judge's "Joanna"...... Updated On: 12/13/07 at 11:38 PM

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 11:45pm

"How'd you like to shake me hand, dear..."

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 11:45pm

The Las Vegas Academy were the first to lock the rights to this version of the show. They performed what I lovingly call "Baby Sweeney" last month. To those who know the show verbatim, you may pick up some minimal changes (few lyrics have been altered), but the bulk of the story/music is still in tact.

Agreed with the above. Anything Sondheim is pretty ambitious for High Schools.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 3:02am

No one should leave out the judge's Johanna...even in my high school/middle school production with our 13 year old judge did the song (not that I think 13 year olds should be playing the judge).

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 8:31am

Wow... Um... *shivers*

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:48am

When my HS did the school version of Les Mis, I had my reservations (and I'm the choreographer, not a student). But, honestly the sublte changes/edits they provided really made it managable for HS kids. It was our finest production ever.

YES, you need amazingly dedicated AND talented kids to pull it off: and I'd wait until I had the right drama kids before doing it...but I'm excited about it.

[Lefou]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 11:55am

though MTI is just beginning to open this to the public, the "school edition" has gone through revisions at Stagedoor manor since 2004...They did a pilot production and then did it again this past summer (and they thanked MTI for letting them do the revised "student edition). The show's were both amazing and although many schools do not have the talent that Stagedoor has, it seems feasible

[sondhead]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 12:06pm

"Highschools do Sweeney fine all the time...what's the need for a school version?"

Because MTI can charge more for it and schools will pay for it.

And I'm sure it's release wasn't timed with the movie at all.

[helloagain]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 4:01pm

I was in the Production this year @ Stagedoor and the changes were actually not that terrible, and most of them were made by Sondheim himself. There were very little cuts, and the show clocked in at over 2 and a half hours. I can answer any questions that anyone has.

Updated On: 12/14/07 at 04:01 PM

[nitsua]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 4:12pm

I posted something about this on the 9th, over on the Off Topic board. I even posted pictures!

I thought the LVA production was a great show. As I've only listened to the revival, I can't comment on any scenes, but the Beggar Woman's lines were changed in the beginning and they cut the Judge's "Joanna".

According to an LVA graduate, Sondheim's approved the changes, so don't get all pissy. LVA will perform the show at the 2008 International Thespian Society Convention in Nebraska, so if any of y'all are ITS members, you may want to try and go.
Go here.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 4:19pm

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd,
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
In class he cast a tremendous pall,
Until we put him on Adderal.
And that was all
We had to do
It worked for him
It'll work for you.
Like Sweeney
Like Sweeney Todd,
The valedictorian of
Fleet
Street.

Updated On: 12/14/07 at 04:19 PM

[dramadude2]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 12:34am

I was in the school edition at LVA in the ensemble and all of the changes were made by Sondheim. I think it was a large step up from most high school productions because we're a performing arts school and have more of the talent... and money to pull it off. I felt it was overall a good prodution from what I saw onstage.

[nitsua]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:22am

Like I said, my boyfriend and I loved the performance.

Except the Judge was really, really weak, and Antony acted really, really gay.

But that's all.

[TabooPhan1]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 11:05am

I'll never understand why it's such a bad thing to some people to make a school edition of classic musicals/plays. It's educational theatre, not Lincoln Center. Let the kids learn the classic shows by doing them, you're not required to see it... and they're not charging 100 dollars a ticket. I say let them have fun and learn a little about important musicals by getting their feet wet.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 11:11am

Buffyactsing:Scary a 13 yearold playing the judge did your production get sued by anyone?

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 11:16am

I agree. There's nothing wrong with an author approved school version of a work.

buffyactsing, WHAT? You question whether a thirteen-year-old should be playing the judge, yet you have no problem with school kids singing a song about pedophilia, self flagellation and on stage masturbation?