Aladdin Jr blocking

HI Mike!  It truly depends on your staging area, (stage, cafetorium etc.), but Aladdin JR can successfully be staged  with one set design for blocking as long as you have some sort of levels to represent  different areas and time passage.  The Palace ( throne room, Jasmine's terrace and the gates) can be done in 3 different sections on stage with lighting to help create them, or 3 levels.  NONE have to be complicated. The Marketplace is the perfect scenarion to create a scene larger than life with NO extra scenery, just an abundance of characters and using the house aisles if possible. Jafar's chamber (simply his small table and chair), could be noted by lighting, underneath a balcony if one is created tall enough or off to one side. YOur cave can always be played under a taller level that was used for another area.  Most importantly, it is a set that has to allow plenty of room for movement, especially if you have a large cast. Sometimes it is very helpful to divide the show into 4 stage pictures..how you want the key storypoints to appear, and that will easily help you decide the staging pattern that makes sense for your actors!  cr

Rapunzel Recordgin

I completely agree.  Here's a link to RAPUNZEL on our musical finder.  It lists some other groups currently performing the show.  Perhaps you can email them to see if they know of any resources:

http://www.mtishowspace.com/productions/?id=138

Chorus for Into the Woods Jr

Hi Lauren!  David had some great ideas for expansion! Part 4 is a wonderful section to explore levels, planes and proximity with a Woods chorus.  Cast that is staged as the Woods gives the Witch a path to perform and of course in scene 2 as Cinderella comes in works very well!

Key Change

Hi Neeahtima, So great to have you at the workshop and congrats again on the Freddie G award!!  "Mama Will Provide"  is truly the premiere number of this show that should cater to the ability of the actress you have cast for the part! Some of the most successful performances of this are more character than singing, a fabulous combination. Sounds like she is not strong on that b below middle c, like most sopranos.  If you move the number up to G major, she can really sell it on the low d and high d.  It is a strong character, make the most of the key change that will showcase her strong voice to match. break a leg on such a great show Neeahtima!  

elementary school musical suggestion needed

Congrats on doing a show for the right reason, for your kids despite all odds!   I am currently on the SMASH make a musical.org tour and educational project and just walked out of an inner city school with the same requests!   Lots of choices, but let's have you request perusals to give you a good idea.  Schoolhouse Rock is a great first choice as well as Annie JR. they are both 60 min, and easy to expand.  Annie JR is a wee bit harder to rehearse, set scenery and costume, but a wonderful story.  The MTI KIDS shows run 30 minutes, and are an excellent starting point also. Jungle Book Kids is a generic show, simple sets and very manageable music.  All fit your criteria and would be FUN!   Please feel free to email at show support and happy to send pics and go into more detail about your choices.  Also take a peek at Audition central on the Broadway JR web site, it makes auditioning easy and gives you a lot of character ideas.  Exciting journey you have ahead Rosemary..let me know how I can help!!   Cindy

student rehearsal CD for Willy Wonka Jr

Yes, please call 212.541.4684 or email licensing@mtishows.com.

Is it possible to purchase 20 more student books

Absolutely! Just give MTI a call (212) 541-4684, and your licensing agent can get them out to you right away! Congrats on all the interest in your show!

Choosing a show..Into the Woods or Honk (or the Jr. versions)

Thank you very much for your advice everyone ! It certainly helped.  We are going with Honk ! (the full versions since that is what we have always done and the kids enjoy them.)  I am looking forward to it!! Thank you again !! and good luck with your productions.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers new version

Does anyone know where I can get a recording of the new version of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? I need something to give to my choreographer but I can only find the older version.

Thanks!

Adding Characters

Hmm.. I didn't have a Thing 1 or a Thing 2.  I fully agree with having actors doing the push/pull for set changes. It keeps the story moving and kids are less likely to try and change the channel during the blackouts.

In our production we dressed the Who's in "Circus McGurkis" coveralls and red clown noses. They managed the set transition to/from the Circus. They also did a very tired/slow motion "Sweep Up" of all the popcorn Mayzie spilled, as Horton crooned "Solla Sollew". You could almost hear the arthritic creaking in their joints, as they swept and scrubbed. Throw in the moonlit lighting it made for a solemn moment, as it showed a different side of the circus to the one Mayzie had been viewing.

(There's a still at 1:38 in our slide show video)

Back to your question - I would go back to the books - Thing 1 & 2 hung out with the Cat in the Hat. So wherever the Cat can be.. so can Thing 1 & Thing 2. Given the Cat has to transition fairly quickly between some characters, you could opt to do them in full view, having Thing 1 & 2 bring out the clothing/props required etc.