[centerstage08]

My high school I hear is considering this. So I have a few questions. I've seen the movie so I know the storyline but my first questions is

How is the movie like and unlike the movie? are there extra songs or songs cut from either?

What size cast does this show require to work?

How hard is it to find costumes?

How did you build the bed?

Which characters need to be good singer, dancers, and or actors?

Thanks!

[i'm_back]

If you saw the most recent movie with Tracy Olin (as Winnifred), then the character of the Minstrel was totally cut. And then song "Normandy" (sung in the movie by Harry and Larken about their honeymoon) is sung by the Minstrel, Jester, and Larken about where Larken can run away to since she had a big fight with Harry. Other songs such as "Swamps of Home," (Winnifred and Ladies) "Very Soft Shoes," (Jester) "The Minstrel, the Jester, and I," (Minstrel, Jester) "Yesterday I Loved You," (Harry and Larken) and "Opening for a Princess" (Everyone!) were all cut. "Many Moons Ago" is briefly sung in the movie at the very beginning by a group of people, whereas in the musical it opens the show as the Minstrel's solo (while a "ballet" happens behind him).

And the thing at the beginning of the movie with the little girl running around Disney World trying to find the Princess Winifred and Carol Burnett comes up to her and tells her the story doesn't happen in the musical. And on that note, when watched the movie I really wanted them to bring closure to that whole thing. Like after Winnifred falls asleep with Dauntless watching her they should have gone back to the little girl and Carol Burnett and concluded the movie the way they started it. That's just what I thought.

There might be some more differences, but that's all I could think of.

Hope it helps! Good Luck with the show!!

[musikal_geek]

[what_the_heck013]

If you dig through the OUAM threads, there are pictures of a fabulous bed design in which they used those swimming noodle things. EDIT: here's the link: http://musicals.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46379

OUAM is a very good high school show. My sister's middle school just put on an AMAZING production (in which she starred as Fred).

There are some issues with it as a school show because of Lady Larkin's pregnancy before marriage.

[Set_Buildin_Dad]

We built the bed as a dual purpose set piece. On one side it was a semi-circular tower (10ft tall) for the wizard's lair and on the other it was the bed.

The piece was constructed so that the bed was 8 ft tall. Mattresses were simply painted on. There was a shelf beneath the bed where the jousting equipment could be pulled from so that it looked like the equipment was being removed from under the top mattress. Here are some photos. I have plans if you like the design. You can PM me.

[PappyCat]

How is the movie like and unlike the movie? are there extra songs or songs cut from either? THe movie gives a good idea, but is not the same. THe minstrel is cut completely, Carol Burnett is given another song, some of the songs are out of order, and a lot of the dialogue is different. Fred's songs, however, are pretty much exactly as they are in the show.

Let me break it down.

Songs Skipped:
Many Moons - Minstrel
Opening for a Princess - Chorus
The King, Minstrel and I - King, Minstrel, Jester
Very Soft Shoes
Random "Interludes" that the Minstrel Sings before some songs.
Quiet - Chorus (Thank god, it's a terrible song)

Songs Significantly changed:
Normandy - (In the show is sung by Larkin, Minstrel, and Jester. Sung by Larkin and Harry in movie.)
Song of Love (the I'm In love with a girl named Fred song) - Some verses are removed in the movie.
The Lulluby - Is sung differently in different shows, but is sung by the Nightengale in the show, and by the Wizard in the movie.
The second song that the Queen sings, sometimes reffered to as the "Happily Ever After" reprise, is not in the show at all.

I might be forgetting.

What size cast does this show require to work? : We did the show with a cast of 14, but we have a tiny stage. I think that it can work with only speaking parts and it can also work with a chorus. Depends on your theatre. I'd say the average is between 15-25.

How hard is it to find costumes? : I think mideval costumes are some of the easier ones to find. We ended up using a lot of skirts, white blouses, and lace up vests...THe skirts and vests are easy to make. Anyways, most theatres have a pretty good stock of princessy, royal clothing...Or at least, that's what I've found.

How did you build the bed? : Ours was pretty standard. Built a box strong enough to hold me, which was on wheels, and than glued strips of stuffed fabric to the outside to represent the mattresses. It actually looked rather real.

Which characters need to be good singer, dancers, and or actors? : All should be good actors and good singers. THat's not helpful, though...Hmmm...

I'm personally a fan of Winnifred having a less "classical" voice, and more of a brassy, offbeat, sometimes a little obnoxious voice. I think the "I'm Shhyyyyyyy" note in "Shy" should be nearly shouted, or belted extremely well, for comedic effect. I've heard it where they just sing the note high, and it's not funny.

Larkin should be an excellent Soprano...She carries the romantic leading lady part and her songs are all very pretty and sweet.

Harry, as he is the male romantic lead, should have a good voice too.

Winnifred, Dauntless, The Queen and King, and to a smaller degree, Harry, should all be very good comedic acting.

Mediocre acting can make Larkin and Harry's scenes extremely boring. Their parts can be very funny, and very fun to watch, if played correctly.

The King MUST be a good actor, as he pantomimes the entire show.

The Jester needs to be a good dancer.

Basically, my take (and when I say 'good' singing, I hope you know what I mean. I don't mean that the comedic roles should have bad voices):

Comedic Singing:
Dauntless
Winnifred
Queen


Classically "Good" Singing
Larkin
Harry
Minstrel
Jester

[Elphaba22]

yea for our bed, we just made a box with wheels that locked so it wouldn't roll once it was onstage. we painted mattresses on it, and we did this cool thing where everyone in the cast got to paint a mattress on it. it was kinda scary to be on top of that thing though, hahaha. I like the way someone said above that they made the back of it the wizards lair thats a good idea.
In the movie, they lower in key a lot of Larken's songs because she isn't a soprano. which is wierd, because its a very soprano-ish character.
I saw the movie awhile ago, it came out right after I was in it, so i don't really remember it that well.
Costumes were easy.