Thomas Bowlder, Jr.
Mar. 3rd, 2008 09:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
captainsblogEmily had a mostly fun time this weekend. She spent it out with friends Friday night and Saturday, then here with Mom and a friend last night for some hair-dyin' action. The only downer on the experience was having to accompany one of those friends back to her old Middle School for the annual school musical. One of the other kids had a younger sister playing in the pit, which is where, in Emily's critical view, the whole play resided.
"Worst. Musical. Ever." were the first three words out of her mouth.
I looked over the program and couldn't say I blamed her. It was something called Buggsy Malone Jr., which I vaguely remember from the 70s as a very forgettable film with Jodie Foster. The program also reminded me that the music was written by Paul Williams, the short guy who was only funny in the company of Muppets.
The "Junior" part intrigued me, though- as did some comments that Em made about much of the production being partly on tape, including some reference to the performers being "fined" for their mistakes. I did some checking, and this production turns out to be part of a whole series of downsized dramas offered to middle schools by Music Theater International under something they call the "Broadway Junior Collection."
I've heard of this outfit before, though I can't quite say when or how, but they seem to have taken over the school play exploitation business that, back in my day, was the exclusive property of Samuel French and Company. These MTI productions go a significant step beyond what our school plays used to do, in that they license not only the performances but their own specifically cut-down scripts supposedly suited to the younger performers.
You can also put on Aladdin, Junior (oops, sorry- DISNEY's Aladdin, Junior), The Music Man, Jr. (featuring the smash hit "38 Trombones") and Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Junior (where it may be hard to get Mom and Dad to take out a full-page ad in the program congratulating little Billy on his role as The Conjunction).
The only problem I see here, though? There's not nearly enough non-musical drama to satisfy the artistic talents of these budding method actors. Someone should really work on expanding the roster to include expurgated works that Billy can invite all his relatives to even if he can't sing for shit.
I have some modest examples here:
WAITING FOR GODOT, JUNIOR
VLADIMIR
(pulls off his boot)
Nothing to be done.
GODOT
Are you Vladimir?
VLADIMIR
Yes, and this is my friend Estragon.
GODOT
I'm Godot.
ESTRAGON
Oh, good, we've been waiting for you.
Curtain.
----
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, JUNIOR
OPEN on SHELLEY LEVENE, sitting at a desk covered with papers and a telephone.
LEVENE
Hello, Mr. Patel. I'm calling about the Glengarry property, and...... you will? Tomorrow? Great.
Enter WILLIAMSON THE SALES MANAGER
LEVENE
Hey, I just closed a Glengarry lead. I'm in second place!
WILLIAMSON
Great. Here's your box of steak knives.
LEVENE
::stabs Williamson to death::
Curtain.
----
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, JUNIOR
OPEN on Nicholas standing on stage.
NARRATOR (offstage)
This is Nicholas Nickleby. He was born, then his father died, leaving them penniless. Then other stuff happened.
The end.
Curtain.
----
Check back Friday, for the first-ever installment of Lost, Junior, in which things only make half as much sense as they do on the actual show!
"Worst. Musical. Ever." were the first three words out of her mouth.
I looked over the program and couldn't say I blamed her. It was something called Buggsy Malone Jr., which I vaguely remember from the 70s as a very forgettable film with Jodie Foster. The program also reminded me that the music was written by Paul Williams, the short guy who was only funny in the company of Muppets.
The "Junior" part intrigued me, though- as did some comments that Em made about much of the production being partly on tape, including some reference to the performers being "fined" for their mistakes. I did some checking, and this production turns out to be part of a whole series of downsized dramas offered to middle schools by Music Theater International under something they call the "Broadway Junior Collection."
I've heard of this outfit before, though I can't quite say when or how, but they seem to have taken over the school play exploitation business that, back in my day, was the exclusive property of Samuel French and Company. These MTI productions go a significant step beyond what our school plays used to do, in that they license not only the performances but their own specifically cut-down scripts supposedly suited to the younger performers.
You can also put on Aladdin, Junior (oops, sorry- DISNEY's Aladdin, Junior), The Music Man, Jr. (featuring the smash hit "38 Trombones") and Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Junior (where it may be hard to get Mom and Dad to take out a full-page ad in the program congratulating little Billy on his role as The Conjunction).
The only problem I see here, though? There's not nearly enough non-musical drama to satisfy the artistic talents of these budding method actors. Someone should really work on expanding the roster to include expurgated works that Billy can invite all his relatives to even if he can't sing for shit.
I have some modest examples here:
WAITING FOR GODOT, JUNIOR
VLADIMIR
(pulls off his boot)
Nothing to be done.
GODOT
Are you Vladimir?
VLADIMIR
Yes, and this is my friend Estragon.
GODOT
I'm Godot.
ESTRAGON
Oh, good, we've been waiting for you.
Curtain.
----
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, JUNIOR
OPEN on SHELLEY LEVENE, sitting at a desk covered with papers and a telephone.
LEVENE
Hello, Mr. Patel. I'm calling about the Glengarry property, and...... you will? Tomorrow? Great.
Enter WILLIAMSON THE SALES MANAGER
LEVENE
Hey, I just closed a Glengarry lead. I'm in second place!
WILLIAMSON
Great. Here's your box of steak knives.
LEVENE
::stabs Williamson to death::
Curtain.
----
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, JUNIOR
OPEN on Nicholas standing on stage.
NARRATOR (offstage)
This is Nicholas Nickleby. He was born, then his father died, leaving them penniless. Then other stuff happened.
The end.
Curtain.
----
Check back Friday, for the first-ever installment of Lost, Junior, in which things only make half as much sense as they do on the actual show!
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no subject
Date: 2008-03-03 02:56 pm (UTC)You know Shakespeare would want to give his twopence.
Oh my gosh, Othello, Junior!
Ha! The Count of Monte Cristo, Junior.
I can't make myself give those titles taglines.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-03 03:36 pm (UTC)The Pirates of Penzance Jr
Date: 2008-03-03 03:37 pm (UTC)Pirate King: OK! Write when you find work!
(curtain)
Re: The Pirates of Penzance Jr
Date: 2008-03-03 03:41 pm (UTC)They HAVE that one. (http://www.broadwayjr.com/store/showkitproduct.asp?oid=21)
Re: The Pirates of Penzance Jr
Date: 2008-03-04 03:14 am (UTC)Or, in the vulgar, oh, pooh.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-03 08:55 pm (UTC)