Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Into the Woods???

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Jennifer
Guest
Guest

Topic: Into the Woods???
Posted: 1/26/05 at 3:51am

Our theater group has been very successful with family standard musicals and a few of us really like "Into The Woods." However, one of our favorite music directors says the music is too challenging (although she has never done it) and is discouraging us, and I quote "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole!" Anyone done the show and have a report? Would love some feedback! I love the music. We have some very talented folks but it does appear complicated.

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MPL
Guest
Guest

Posted: 1/27/05 at 12:56am

"Into the Woods" was recently attempted by my
eldest son's high school. The music is VERY
challenging as the play is practically an operetta.
Also, the script is somewhat convoluted and
requires a large cast ... all of whom should be
accomplished singers. Personally, I don't consider
the show one of Sondheim's best efforts, although
I'm sure there will be many who disagree. The play
runs close to three hours and requires numerous
set changes and specialized set pieces (a tree
branch splits; the baker's house is trampled by the
giant, etc.) Even though my kid was in the show, I
found the entire procedure tedious to watch and
many of the audience (including friends and family)
seemed to agree -- it's difficult to maintain interest in
a story that is difficult to follow and is mostly sung.
If you're still looking for a family-friendly musical with
a faerie-tale theme, you might want to try "Once Upon
a Mattress." Compared to "Woods" it is decidedly
simpler and much more accessible. Good luck!

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ipspea
Guest
Guest

Posted: 1/27/05 at 2:15pm

Having done both shows, "Into the Woods" and "Mattress", "Mattress is the easier of the 2 to do and I think the audience will respond to it more. "ITW" is very difficult musically and the set does present some challenges.

Just my 2 cents...

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Gaafa
Celebrity

Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181

Posted: 1/30/05 at 11:11pm

Give 'Honk? a try, it comes with rehearsal & show quality CD?s, which should suit your Lady MD - plus teacher aids & info on set ideas & choreography!

It?s simple to stage - one set, no down time scene changes!

In fact I think MTI Broadway Junior?s, come with a fee free performance license - for junior school groups & others!

It?s based on the Ugly Duckling - without feathers!

The songs are good - especially ?Warts ?n all?!

The birds beaks are baseball caps & costumes only T shirts & tracky daks!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Jennifer
Guest
Guest

Posted: 1/31/05 at 3:27am

Thanks very much for the feedback! My instincts (along with your comments) tell me it is maybe more than I want to take on as a director right now. I will travel to the big city this weekend where a high school is performing it and I'm sure my answer will lie there.....

"Honk" has been on the "we should do that" list for a while. I'll take a look at "Once upon a matress" as well. The commentary was much appreciated!

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Katie
Guest
Guest

Posted: 2/05/05 at 6:44pm

My choir is about to perform Into The Woods and I'm the stage manager. We are still in the early stages, but so far, it seems do-able. I will post after it is finished. I'm very excited because it is hilarious and the students will get a kick out of it.

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Shelby
Guest
Guest

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:19am

Hello, I was just wondering if there was any site any of you guys knew of that has a posting of the "Once Upon A Mattress" script on it. I am not looking to buy a script book, or anything like that.. I just want to read the "Once Upon A Mattress" script online. If you guys know anything, please post ASAP, thanks so much.

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genesius
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 2/21/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 2/21/05 at 9:39am

Into the Woods is a great show but it's a bear - the music is difficult and the set is complex. We're doing it now and just decided last night to delay opening a week.

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JoJo
Guest
Guest

Posted: 3/10/05 at 8:16pm

We are doing Into the Woods for our school play and i am directing it. Any ideas for a set or choreography?

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Nyria
Celebrity

Joined: 1/20/05
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 157

Posted: 3/23/05 at 9:10pm

Our set is very simple - I have two large pillars on stage left and stage right - both have bricks on one side (for the house scenes) and greenery and vines on the other - for the woods.

Then in the middle of the stage I have a large book (the cover at least) that says "Once Upon a Time"

NYRIA

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Author	Message
Jennifer Guest	Topic: Into the Woods??? Posted: 1/26/05 at 3:51am
	Our theater group has been very successful with family standard musicals and a few of us really like "Into The Woods." However, one of our favorite music directors says the music is too challenging (although she has never done it) and is discouraging us, and I quote "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole!" Anyone done the show and have a report? Would love some feedback! I love the music. We have some very talented folks but it does appear complicated.

	IP Logged

MPL Guest	Posted: 1/27/05 at 12:56am
	"Into the Woods" was recently attempted by my eldest son's high school. The music is VERY challenging as the play is practically an operetta. Also, the script is somewhat convoluted and requires a large cast ... all of whom should be accomplished singers. Personally, I don't consider the show one of Sondheim's best efforts, although I'm sure there will be many who disagree. The play runs close to three hours and requires numerous set changes and specialized set pieces (a tree branch splits; the baker's house is trampled by the giant, etc.) Even though my kid was in the show, I found the entire procedure tedious to watch and many of the audience (including friends and family) seemed to agree -- it's difficult to maintain interest in a story that is difficult to follow and is mostly sung. If you're still looking for a family-friendly musical with a faerie-tale theme, you might want to try "Once Upon a Mattress." Compared to "Woods" it is decidedly simpler and much more accessible. Good luck!
	IP Logged

ipspea Guest	Posted: 1/27/05 at 2:15pm
	Having done both shows, "Into the Woods" and "Mattress", "Mattress is the easier of the 2 to do and I think the audience will respond to it more. "ITW" is very difficult musically and the set does present some challenges. Just my 2 cents...
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 1/30/05 at 11:11pm
	Give 'Honk? a try, it comes with rehearsal & show quality CD?s, which should suit your Lady MD - plus teacher aids & info on set ideas & choreography! It?s simple to stage - one set, no down time scene changes! In fact I think MTI Broadway Junior?s, come with a fee free performance license - for junior school groups & others! It?s based on the Ugly Duckling - without feathers! The songs are good - especially ?Warts ?n all?! The birds beaks are baseball caps & costumes only T shirts & tracky daks!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Jennifer Guest	Posted: 1/31/05 at 3:27am
	Thanks very much for the feedback! My instincts (along with your comments) tell me it is maybe more than I want to take on as a director right now. I will travel to the big city this weekend where a high school is performing it and I'm sure my answer will lie there..... "Honk" has been on the "we should do that" list for a while. I'll take a look at "Once upon a matress" as well. The commentary was much appreciated!
	IP Logged

Katie Guest	Posted: 2/05/05 at 6:44pm
	My choir is about to perform Into The Woods and I'm the stage manager. We are still in the early stages, but so far, it seems do-able. I will post after it is finished. I'm very excited because it is hilarious and the students will get a kick out of it.
	IP Logged

Shelby Guest	Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:19am
	Hello, I was just wondering if there was any site any of you guys knew of that has a posting of the "Once Upon A Mattress" script on it. I am not looking to buy a script book, or anything like that.. I just want to read the "Once Upon A Mattress" script online. If you guys know anything, please post ASAP, thanks so much.
	IP Logged

genesius Walk-On Joined: 2/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 2/21/05 at 9:39am
	Into the Woods is a great show but it's a bear - the music is difficult and the set is complex. We're doing it now and just decided last night to delay opening a week.
	IP Logged

JoJo Guest	Posted: 3/10/05 at 8:16pm
	We are doing Into the Woods for our school play and i am directing it. Any ideas for a set or choreography?
	IP Logged

Nyria Celebrity Joined: 1/20/05 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 3/23/05 at 9:10pm
	Our set is very simple - I have two large pillars on stage left and stage right - both have bricks on one side (for the house scenes) and greenery and vines on the other - for the woods. Then in the middle of the stage I have a large book (the cover at least) that says "Once Upon a Time"
	NYRIA
	IP Logged

Topic: Into the Woods???( Topic Closed)
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