Sweeney Todd in High School
Sweeney Todd in High School
KTownMPostie
Swing Joined: 11/14/04
#0Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:48pmMy high school theater department is preparing to put up Sweeney Todd in January of the coming year. I would like to know what anyone thinks on this matter. Is it beyond the realm of high school theater? Tell me what you think.
#1re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:49pmIt isn't "beyond the realm" but its pretty close. Do you have a good theater dept. If so then GOOD LUCK. If not-then I am so sorry.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#2re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:54pmIf you have singers who can handle Pirelli, the Beadle, Johanna, and the Beggar Woman, not to mention actors who can take on Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett, and an ensemble with a pretty incredible singing range, then good luck to you.
#3re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:00pmyea- its a bit of a stretch....but all the best to you!
aspiringguy715
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/04
#4re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:01pm
I think there are a number of factors that make "Sweeney Todd" so hard to do in High Schools. First and foremost being the difficulty of the music. "Sweeney" is closer to an opera than anything else and NEEDS trained singers. Other factors are the subject matter and staging.
In my opinion, if you have the talent and proper direction in the school, it can be done.
#5re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:53pmIt is EXTREMELY difficult and rare in high school, but I say if you've got the talent, go for it. It's an amazing experience if you're actually in it.
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
#6re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:55pmAnd if you're going to do it, make sure in the advertising what the feel of the show is/what it's about. 5 year olds should not be seeing it.
mohonfdu
Swing Joined: 11/14/04
#7re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 7:37pmI just saw a recent production of Sweeney Todd at NYU. And if they couldn't pull it off than there is no way that a high school can pull it off. It's just not possible.
#8re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:54pmThat isn't true mohonfdu, I'm sure there are high schools out there with more talent than NYU and the right direction is a major player. I suspect poor direction was the downfall of NYU's production since those are very talented young people who may go on professionally.
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#9re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 9:50pm
Favorite Quote from that Show....
Well, that's all fine and dandy, but what about the Italian? :)
damoroso27
Swing Joined: 11/11/04
#10re: Sweeney Todd in High School
Posted: 11/14/04 at 9:54pmWe just did Les Mis last year and got absolutely rave reviews from every critic that came to see it...this year, Sweeney goes up in March. I'm pretty confident that it will get just as good a response. My friends went to see the NYU production, and they didn't find too much a problem with it, but in any case, it all depends on who you have, and who's willing to put in the dedication and work to make annyy show work.
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