Ok...
So I finally saw the film, and overall... I liked it a lot. As my favorite musical of all time, I thought Tim Burton did a nice job with it. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
Johnny Depp - awesome, creepy, brooding. Best moment - the way in which he uses the razor as a knife to stab repeatedly into the judge.
Helena Bonham Carter - ditto. Best moment - the moment in which she realizes that Toby has to die.
Scenic Design - Dark, creepy, dirty, fantastic. Best bits - the huge slanted window looking onto London, and the chair tipping backwards so all the victims fall on their heads - sweet.
Gore/Blood - Very stylized, yet extremely effective and beautiful. The last moment in which Sweeney bleeds out over Lucy - brilliant!
Cons:
Singing - mostly schprectstima, but I think that was obvious from the trailer. Everything was almost whispered. It was a choice, but I missed Sweeney's big baritone.
Believability - because the movie was cast so young (which I liked and was much more believable for the time period,) it seemed odd that the judge wouldn't recognize him! I don't buy it.
Editing songs - most songs included had a verse or two cut out for the sake of not making a 3 hour film.
Cutting Songs - Besides cutting The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, the judges song, the letter, 98% of City on Fire, they also cut out the quartet which is my favorite number in the show, and also establishes the possible consummation of the relationship between Johanna and Antony. Without this encounter, why is he so dead set on marrying her or freeing her from Fog's asylum?
Overall, though, I do recommend the movie. One of the greatest stories ever written, and the best score in musical theatre history!
See y'all on Wed.
Peace.
This blog is intended to help inform students about the "goings on" in the HGHS Theatre Dept., as well as provide a forum for students and community members to comment or open dialogue concerning Theatre Co. rehearsals or productions.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sweeney Todd...
The answer is... No, I haven't seen it yet. I'll hopefully make it to the theatre in the next couple of days. Once I've seen it, I'll give y'all a complete review in a post.
Have a Happy Holiday!
Peace.
Have a Happy Holiday!
Peace.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
As we approach the Holiday Break...
Hey y'all...
A couple of thoughts before we all run off to the far ends of the earth for Chrishannukwanztivusadan...
1. Theatre Rep. - GET OFF BOOK FOR THE TEMPEST!!! If you know you have a lot of text, divide it into daily assignments/goals for yourself. Don't try to do it all in one day. Most of you are already on your way, and for that I'm grateful and a little impressed. When you get back, I don't want to see scripts in your hands!
2. Stagecraft - Be ready to stay weekdays after school and on weekends to help Jake build for THE TEMPEST. As he is designing this show, he needs your help to make it happen.
3. Cast of ...Cuckoo's Nest - Break would be a great time to do some research on the show and your character, or to read the novel. I want to hear about the new information you found or crafted for your character when we pick up with rehearsals on January 2nd. Also, break would be a great time to go out in get ads. After the start of the new year, businesses will be less likely to donate, as well as your time will be impeded by Mid-Terms. Take my advice and start now!
4. To all - have a great break, get some rest, and try to get to the theatre. Tickets are a great holiday gift idea, and there is a lot of interesting work being produced in the city right now. Go see a show!
Peace.
A couple of thoughts before we all run off to the far ends of the earth for Chrishannukwanztivusadan...
1. Theatre Rep. - GET OFF BOOK FOR THE TEMPEST!!! If you know you have a lot of text, divide it into daily assignments/goals for yourself. Don't try to do it all in one day. Most of you are already on your way, and for that I'm grateful and a little impressed. When you get back, I don't want to see scripts in your hands!
2. Stagecraft - Be ready to stay weekdays after school and on weekends to help Jake build for THE TEMPEST. As he is designing this show, he needs your help to make it happen.
3. Cast of ...Cuckoo's Nest - Break would be a great time to do some research on the show and your character, or to read the novel. I want to hear about the new information you found or crafted for your character when we pick up with rehearsals on January 2nd. Also, break would be a great time to go out in get ads. After the start of the new year, businesses will be less likely to donate, as well as your time will be impeded by Mid-Terms. Take my advice and start now!
4. To all - have a great break, get some rest, and try to get to the theatre. Tickets are a great holiday gift idea, and there is a lot of interesting work being produced in the city right now. Go see a show!
Peace.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Congratulations...
Hey y'all...
A few thoughts about auditions:
1. I thought everyone did a nice job at auditions. I especially appreciate all the new, and mostly freshmen, faces that I saw. Although this show has a smaller cast, and chances are that things probably didn't work out in your favor for this show, I appreciate your willingness to take a risk, put yourself out there, and audition. Don't let this one setback discourage you, and I hope to see all of you at all future auditions. If you have any questions regarding why you were not cast, please don't hesitate to email or come talk to me.
2. Ladies - I'm sorry. This is not the year for the abundance of female roles. I'll make it up to you next year.
3. If you had a larger role in Urinetown - please understand that it is important maintain some equity in the casting. You are all very talented, and it might just have been someone else's turn.
4. It is absolutely natural to feel disappointed or hurt if you were not cast. Unfortunately, disappointment and rejection are a huge part of this work. Try not to let it discourage you; instead use this experience to reflect on why things might have played out the way they did, and what you can possibly work on for next time. Know that we will miss you.
5. Congratulations to those of you who are in the cast. You have a long road ahead of you, and a lot of hard work. I hope you are all ready. Your souls are now mine... (insert demonic laughter here.)
6. I have only received two letters of interest in the tech jobs I described in my last entry. If you are interested, please let me know via email ASAP, or if you know someone who is interested and be good at the job, please encourage them to come see me. Rehearsals start this afternoon, and I want these people to get the full experience from beginning to end.
7. I'm looking forward to beginning our work this afternoon. I'm very excited for what this project has the potential to be. Let's make it happen.
Peace.
A few thoughts about auditions:
1. I thought everyone did a nice job at auditions. I especially appreciate all the new, and mostly freshmen, faces that I saw. Although this show has a smaller cast, and chances are that things probably didn't work out in your favor for this show, I appreciate your willingness to take a risk, put yourself out there, and audition. Don't let this one setback discourage you, and I hope to see all of you at all future auditions. If you have any questions regarding why you were not cast, please don't hesitate to email or come talk to me.
2. Ladies - I'm sorry. This is not the year for the abundance of female roles. I'll make it up to you next year.
3. If you had a larger role in Urinetown - please understand that it is important maintain some equity in the casting. You are all very talented, and it might just have been someone else's turn.
4. It is absolutely natural to feel disappointed or hurt if you were not cast. Unfortunately, disappointment and rejection are a huge part of this work. Try not to let it discourage you; instead use this experience to reflect on why things might have played out the way they did, and what you can possibly work on for next time. Know that we will miss you.
5. Congratulations to those of you who are in the cast. You have a long road ahead of you, and a lot of hard work. I hope you are all ready. Your souls are now mine... (insert demonic laughter here.)
6. I have only received two letters of interest in the tech jobs I described in my last entry. If you are interested, please let me know via email ASAP, or if you know someone who is interested and be good at the job, please encourage them to come see me. Rehearsals start this afternoon, and I want these people to get the full experience from beginning to end.
7. I'm looking forward to beginning our work this afternoon. I'm very excited for what this project has the potential to be. Let's make it happen.
Peace.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
A little about ...Cuckoo's Nest Auditions
Hey y'all...
So, here are a few thoughts I wanted to share before ...Cuckoo's Nest auditions:
1. Although some of the roles of the inmates I am considering non-gender specific as of now, I am concerned about the male/female power dynamic between Nurse Rached and the men on her ward. Bottom line: It is really important! So... although it is important for all of you to really "bring it" to auditions, the stakes are now raised even higher for the ladies. If all the parts stay as written, there are only four female roles, so... I encourage all of you to really prepare and make strong choices for your auditions.
2. I am only considering students with little or no conflicts for the show!
Unlike Urinetown, we will not be rehearsing on the weekends. With only four weekends to build the set, that is where my attention will have to be on Saturdays and Sundays. However, with the exception of a small few, everyone in the show will need to be available everyday after school from 3:30 to 6:30. As we get to the week before the show you will need to be available until 7, and during Hell Week, until 8. NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you want this show, it needs to become your first extra-curricular priority. It is just too demanding, and relies on a strong group dynamic to be effective. This is very similar to Noises Off last year. I think if you ask the kids who were in Noises Off about their experience, they will tell you that although they were at school all the time, they had a lot of fun together, and it really led to a strong performance.
So please, let me see more blank space than writing in the conflict section of your Audition Form.
3. With a possible cast of 16, Ads are going to become an issue. The design for this show is intense, and can't be done without EVERYONE completing their ad assignments. If you think this is going to be an issue, or it has been an issue for you in the past, you might want to reconsider your participation in the show.
4. For those of you interested in Tech: I'm looking for sophomores or juniors who are interested in the positions of SM, TD, AD/AP, SCD, and ME to write me a short email of interest, so that we can talk about it. I would like these people to start shadowing Emly, Jake, Ryan, Kate, and DanDan for the duration of ...Cuckoo's Nest. In addition, I'm looking for a multi-media designer for this show. This would entail someone who is computer savvy to design sound and projections for the show. If you are interested, please shoot me an email and let me know.
With all that said, I look forward to seeing all of you at auditions tomorrow. Come prepared, and ready to rock 'n' roll. Make strong choices in your acting work, and come in to have a good time.
If you have read this entire post, feel free to skip the informative meeting at 2:45 tomorrow, and just show up 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. See you then!
Peace.
So, here are a few thoughts I wanted to share before ...Cuckoo's Nest auditions:
1. Although some of the roles of the inmates I am considering non-gender specific as of now, I am concerned about the male/female power dynamic between Nurse Rached and the men on her ward. Bottom line: It is really important! So... although it is important for all of you to really "bring it" to auditions, the stakes are now raised even higher for the ladies. If all the parts stay as written, there are only four female roles, so... I encourage all of you to really prepare and make strong choices for your auditions.
2. I am only considering students with little or no conflicts for the show!
Unlike Urinetown, we will not be rehearsing on the weekends. With only four weekends to build the set, that is where my attention will have to be on Saturdays and Sundays. However, with the exception of a small few, everyone in the show will need to be available everyday after school from 3:30 to 6:30. As we get to the week before the show you will need to be available until 7, and during Hell Week, until 8. NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you want this show, it needs to become your first extra-curricular priority. It is just too demanding, and relies on a strong group dynamic to be effective. This is very similar to Noises Off last year. I think if you ask the kids who were in Noises Off about their experience, they will tell you that although they were at school all the time, they had a lot of fun together, and it really led to a strong performance.
So please, let me see more blank space than writing in the conflict section of your Audition Form.
3. With a possible cast of 16, Ads are going to become an issue. The design for this show is intense, and can't be done without EVERYONE completing their ad assignments. If you think this is going to be an issue, or it has been an issue for you in the past, you might want to reconsider your participation in the show.
4. For those of you interested in Tech: I'm looking for sophomores or juniors who are interested in the positions of SM, TD, AD/AP, SCD, and ME to write me a short email of interest, so that we can talk about it. I would like these people to start shadowing Emly, Jake, Ryan, Kate, and DanDan for the duration of ...Cuckoo's Nest. In addition, I'm looking for a multi-media designer for this show. This would entail someone who is computer savvy to design sound and projections for the show. If you are interested, please shoot me an email and let me know.
With all that said, I look forward to seeing all of you at auditions tomorrow. Come prepared, and ready to rock 'n' roll. Make strong choices in your acting work, and come in to have a good time.
If you have read this entire post, feel free to skip the informative meeting at 2:45 tomorrow, and just show up 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. See you then!
Peace.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
A New Post!
Hello all...
With the show, and strike, and Thanksgiving, and the Talent show all crammed into three weeks, I have had very little time to post. But since so many of you have begging for a new post, here it is!
First, congratulations to the entire Theatre Company for a fantastic three days of Urinetown. I was pleased as punch with the final product. From the singing, to the acting, to the band, to the scenery, to the sound, etc., I was very proud of everyone and highly appreciate the amount of hard work and diligence that everyone put into the show. I hope that you are all proud of your work, and that you hopefully had some fun in the process (I have the reputation of being pretty demanding :o)
Second, thanks to everyone from the Theatre Dept. who lent their performing or technical talents to the Talent Show; especially A.J., Emily, DanDan, Dan S., Danny K., and Jake. Your time and hard work are appreciated, and you helped make everyone (including your's truly) look and sound better! It was a fun night.
Also this weekend, don't miss The Chappaqua Orchestra and Dance Emotions present The Nutcracker. Many of the same students helping with the Talent Show will also be lending their services to The Nutcracker. In addition, you don't want to miss the dance stylings of some of our Theatre Co. folk in action. Amongst others, Sammi E. will be performing, and the show stars the amazingly graceful Matthew M. Haas as The Prince. He sits in a throne like no other! :o)
Lastly, everyone should start getting prepared for the upcoming auditions for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Dec. 10th. Audition info. and sides are available on the Callboard in the Greenroom. I'm looking to cast anywhere from 16-20 students. Many of the roles are being considered non-gender specific, and will not be decided until the auditions. In other words, I'm not sure how many M or F roles there are going to be exactly; that will be based on what I see at auditions. The play is a little different than the film, so if you would like to read an advance copy of the whole play, I have them to sign out in my office. It is a very demanding piece, so come to auditions prepared!
I look forward to this month full of music concerts, and a little bit of rest before we kick into full gear with the Rep. Co.'s production of The Tempest in Jan.
Peace.
With the show, and strike, and Thanksgiving, and the Talent show all crammed into three weeks, I have had very little time to post. But since so many of you have begging for a new post, here it is!
First, congratulations to the entire Theatre Company for a fantastic three days of Urinetown. I was pleased as punch with the final product. From the singing, to the acting, to the band, to the scenery, to the sound, etc., I was very proud of everyone and highly appreciate the amount of hard work and diligence that everyone put into the show. I hope that you are all proud of your work, and that you hopefully had some fun in the process (I have the reputation of being pretty demanding :o)
Second, thanks to everyone from the Theatre Dept. who lent their performing or technical talents to the Talent Show; especially A.J., Emily, DanDan, Dan S., Danny K., and Jake. Your time and hard work are appreciated, and you helped make everyone (including your's truly) look and sound better! It was a fun night.
Also this weekend, don't miss The Chappaqua Orchestra and Dance Emotions present The Nutcracker. Many of the same students helping with the Talent Show will also be lending their services to The Nutcracker. In addition, you don't want to miss the dance stylings of some of our Theatre Co. folk in action. Amongst others, Sammi E. will be performing, and the show stars the amazingly graceful Matthew M. Haas as The Prince. He sits in a throne like no other! :o)
Lastly, everyone should start getting prepared for the upcoming auditions for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Dec. 10th. Audition info. and sides are available on the Callboard in the Greenroom. I'm looking to cast anywhere from 16-20 students. Many of the roles are being considered non-gender specific, and will not be decided until the auditions. In other words, I'm not sure how many M or F roles there are going to be exactly; that will be based on what I see at auditions. The play is a little different than the film, so if you would like to read an advance copy of the whole play, I have them to sign out in my office. It is a very demanding piece, so come to auditions prepared!
I look forward to this month full of music concerts, and a little bit of rest before we kick into full gear with the Rep. Co.'s production of The Tempest in Jan.
Peace.
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