[ampmdp]

I'm the music director for our upcoming production of JCS, and the R&H site lists about 18 pieces in the pit. Has anyone done the show with fewer instruments? Which ones could you leave out? Here's what R & H calls for:

1 REED I (Flute doubling Piccolo)
1 REED II (Flute, B-Flat Clarinet)
1 REED III (Oboe)
1 REED IV (Bassoon)
1 HORN
1 TRUMPET I
1 TRUMPET II
1 TROMBONE
1 VOILIN I
1 VIOLIN II
1 VIOLA
1 CELLO
1 ELECTRIC BASS
1 ELECTRIC GUITAR
1 PIANO/ORGAN (or Electric Piano)
1 DRUMS
1 PERCUSSION (Timpani, Vibraphones, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Cymbal Large Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Wood Block, Siren, Bongos, Chime(F) and Hammering Nails)

In the past I've typically left out Viola, Cello, Bassoon, and a lot of the auxilliary percussion...but I don't know how important that is to JCS. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[jcstar]

The production I was in had:

Drums
Percussion/synth percussion
2 guitars
1 bass guitar
Piano
3 Keyboards/synthesizers
2 Trumpets

The original Broadway cast had the same as the R&H books, BUT the players (Randall's Island) were a six-piece group that played multiple instruments through the show.

The 2003-2005 NA tour had:

Drums/percussion
7 synthesizers
2 guitars
1 bass guitar

The current Ted Neeley Farewell Tour has:

Drums
5 synthesizers
2 guitars
1 bass guitar

There ya go.

Andy.

[Beagle On Stage]

I'm a big supporter of starting with the piano score (which there always is and is always sufficient at a bare-bones level) and then building up from there with what is available to you. For JCS, I would definitely do everything possible to have at least the electric instruments since the show is known for using them.

Actually, I've seen the show done with only an organ, electric guitar, and electric bass. It worked really well, though I'm not sure it would be a good combination with any other show. It gave the show an atmosphere of "The Greatest Story Ever Told meets Judas Priest."