Into the Woods, then out of the woods: Week 8 & 9

Haven't posted in a while, mostly due to my involvement with USU's recent production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I had a marvelous time (and I sang "Happy Birthday" with very little tension). But let's talk about what happened the last two weeks of Musical Theatre. I hope I can remember what we did, but that's what I get for falling behind on postings.

Monday: Discussed a few chapters from our textbook: Acting in Musical Theatre (Deer and Dal Vera). The book covers not just how to approach the lyrics and music of a song, but how basic tenants of acting should be applied to musical theatre. Although much of what we read was review for me, I still absolutely recommend this book.  Its a very easy read, with a whole lot of great examples and exercises. And who doesn't benefit from reviewing the basics?

Wednesday and following Monday: Watched the American Playhouse version of Into the Woods with the original Broadway cast. I had seen this filmed version before, but not for a few years. It was great to watch it again. First of all, Sondheim is a brilliant composer and lyricist. It's also difficult to be led astray when James Lapine is directing. One of the things I like about Sondheim is that his songs may not require the largest singing range, but it does require a great deal of musical precision. Basically, if you can't read sheet music and perform the music as written, you might be screwed. As Jason pointed out, neither Chip Zien (The Baker) and Tom Aldredge (Narrator) have the strongest vocal sound, but they do have a very distinct and interesting sound. Also, I just love the story of Into the Woods. Talk about an emotional roller-coaster. It's also a great example of a tightly constructed piece of musical theatre. What I mean is that there are no filler songs (in my opinion). Each song either forwards the plot or deeply develops the characters in the song.

And now for fun, I will compile just a fraction of my favorite lyrics from Into the Woods:

"Isn't it nice to know a lot! And a little bit not..."

 "And you think of all of the things you've seen,

And you wish that you could live in between,

And you're back again,

Only different than before,

After the sky."

"It takes care.
It takes patience and fear and despair
To change.
Though you swear
To change,
Who can tell if you do?"

"Into the woods,

It's always when

You think at last you're through, and then

Into the woods you go again

To take another journey."

"Oh, if life were made of moments,

Even now and then a bad one--

But if life were only moments,

Then you'd never know you had one."

"We disappoint, we disappear, we die, but we don't."

"Hard to see the light now, just don't let it go. 

Things will come out right now. We can make it so. 

Someone is on your side." 

"Sometimes people leave you

Halfway through the wood.

Do not let it grieve you,

No one leaves for good."

"Careful the wish you make

Wishes are children

Careful the path they take

Wishes come true, not free."

The way is dark, The light is dim,

But now there's you, me, her, and him.

The chances look small, The choices look grim,

 But everything you learn there

Will help when you return there."

Bonus:

 "Dwarves are very upsetting."