Sondheim's compositions are complex and some people either love them or not and in your case... I guess not :-)
I happen to love Into The Woods, it's one of my favorites. I love the humor and the darkness and how the characters are fairytale in appearance, but he shows them as real people. I think it's a metaphor for our times. The Princes are vain, Cinderella wants her prince until she finds out that he's really just out to play the field, Little Red is a smart alleck snack monster, people will do anything for their children, neighbors can get nasty when it comes to their property, people can be cowards, but they can also be brave... I just love it :-) I hope you will learn to love it too. If you can't get passed your feelings, then don't audition. I'm sure the director can fill the cast with enough interested actors, but I truly hope you give Sondheim a chance! :-)
2007-05-29 11:05:42
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answer #1
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answered by Marianne D 7
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Sondheim shows, in general, are more difficult. Even his lyrics in West Side Story can be a bit tricky. But he is a master for a reason, and Into The Woods did win the best score and best book Tony's over Phantom of the Opera. The opening number "Into the Woods" is played as 4/4, but sung as 12/8 -- not to mention 11 characters all singing something slightly different -- it's certainly not easy. But if your group is mainly girls (and what group isn't) then the appeal is the number of choice parts for the girls. Cinderella, Red, Baker's Wife, Witch... all good parts.
As a baritone myself, I'd rather do Sweeney Todd... but I like Sondheim.
2007-05-30 14:39:55
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answer #2
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answered by Tim A 6
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Into the Woods is Sondheim's best lyrics in my opinion. "While her withers whither with her" is my absolute favorite lyric. Who else uses such amazing internal rhyme and consonance? No one.
And the book to the show is outstanding. Lapine did an amazing job of combining the stories of 12 or so different fairy tales into one cohesive story. Book writers generally have a hard time telling the story of one person.
It sounds like you like characters with less vocal range. Harold Hill doesn't sing - he speaks quickly. The Witch in WOODS sings more in her rap than Hill ever does in Music Man. And Tevye doesn't have much of a range either. The Baker has a low tenor range, so understand the frustration from a tenor's point of view, but I don't know why a baritone wouldn't like him.
2007-05-29 18:44:56
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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This may be a little out in left field, but I think you might be too young for it.
Youth and school groups are always interested in ITW, because it's based on fairy tales. The problem, though, is twofold:
1) It's based, not on the Disneyfied versions of fairy tales that we're all used to in this country, but on the original European fairy tales, where good people die, people get their eyes gouged out, and children get eaten.
2) It looks at what happens AFTER "happily ever after." Like many Sondheim shows, it refuses to accept the mentality of "if I just do X, I'll be happy," where X is get married/kiss a princess/sell the cow for magic beans/whatever. The show is deeper than that.
As someone who has kids, it's difficult to listen to "Children Will Listen" without tearing up. It's a show for someone who has lived a little, made mistakes, lost loved ones, and isn't sure if it's worth going on anyway.
The music *is* hard to perform; that's Sondheim. In the right hands, for the right audience, it's funny, moving, and deep. In the wrong hands . . . well, to quote the show, "a little bit not." :)
I don't think I'd do it with a school group.
2007-05-30 11:50:26
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answer #4
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answered by pob14 4
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It has one of the most fantastic scores, Sondheim isn't revered for nothing you know, and while it might not be your style, it IS good music, and, even better, it's coupled with exceedingly clever lyrics.
Also, ITW has a wonderful intricate plot. It combines fairy tales with twists and turns that entertain AND make the audience think.
It's a well-rounded play, there's lots of comedy, high and low, lots of good parts for men and women, lots of opportunity for suspense and drama, and, if the actors do their jobs, lots of heart.
If you don't like the Baker, why not try out for one of the Princes? They're hilarious and have one of the best songs, "Agony".
2007-05-29 18:03:14
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answer #5
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answered by laura_ghill 3
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That is a hard play to perform, but I've seen it done really well. When we went to state for one act play (that's right... they cut out all the songs and half the story), about 5 different schools performed it and each was different. My favorite version was where everything was in black and white (even the make up for the actors -- they had white faces and black lip stick) except for the golden slippers, the red cape, and the other thing... was it a cow? Can't remember... but it was in color too! The musical is not my favorite but it can be fun and different if your director is willing to take a chance with it!! Good luck and I hope you get the part that you want.
2007-05-30 17:28:01
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answer #6
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answered by neyney 2
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into the woods is definitely a challenge. the lyrics are wordy and the tempo changes are difficult.. fairy tales are fun and Joe blow on the street can recognize them thus appealing to the masses ... I understand that the baker is not as meaty of a part as tevye but into the woods has many female roles and what girl doesn't want to play a princess
2007-05-29 18:01:08
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answer #7
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answered by anorathepain 3
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We did Into the Woods for our musical and it was difficult. It ended up being really good.
2007-05-30 13:28:47
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answer #8
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answered by erinmitbaren <3 3
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