My school did Ruthless a few years ago with two pianos.
The original score for the fantasticks was piano and harp but most productions drop the harp.
OK, my bad for not reading through all the posts before replying, several people also answred this, so I am amending my post to hadd some actualy useful information.
I've seen a lot of G&S done with just a piano, but it loses something. Plenty of kids shows too.
Updated On: 3/31/07 at 11:47 AM
Years back they did the Most Happy Fella with 2 pianos
Than there is the obvious Forbidden Broadway
I somehow doubt they'll ever release the rights to [title of show]...
Actually, I've heard that it WILL be released at some point, but they're holding off since the show (last I heard) is in talks for a Broadway production - which, IMO, might kill it. It's too small for a Broadway house, and changing it from anything but "four chairs and a keyboard" would just violate the sentiment of the show.
Sorry for the threadjack.
I've done Damn Yankees with just a piano and it sounded just fine.
Stand-by Joined: 5/9/05
Fantasticks is written for piano, harp and drums if I remember right
Stand-by Joined: 5/9/05
I just did a production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, there is so much needed from the drums, that I found it boring with just the piano. I was so happy to have the bass and a drummer. Now I did Little Mary Sunshine with just duet pianos. That one worked out fine
"Changed For Good" - a new Schwartz musical
A community theatre near me has done tons of shows with just a piano.
Sound of Music, Baby, Is There Life After High School, to name a few.
It depends on how good the piano player is?
Will he be missing notes here and there, or can he really hit everything?
Has anyone mentioned The Apple Tree?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
Joelbeans, you might try reading previous posts.
Yikes! I shudder to think of QUILTERS with just a piano. The show actualy has NO piano part whatsoever. It is written for guitar/banjo, fiddle, hammered dulcimer and bass, and should have that authentic, rustic country sound.
For the show I was in we only had a piano player, and it sounded really beautiful. So it does work, although having instruments like you mentioned would sound even better.
I actually saw QUILTERS with just a piano and it was beautiful.
"I think a really scaled down production of Sweeney Todd would work with just a piano"
I don't know. I think Sweeney's score might be a little too intricate for just piano.
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