[jessiemil42]

[I'm not sure if this would belong here or not]

But I am getting my rep ready for college auditions, and I don't understand why so many schools are against Stephen Sondheim. I know sometimes it's because the characters are too old, but other than that, I'm not really sure.

Can someone elaborate on that?

[Kaiana]

A big thing is because the accompaniment (sp?) is SO hard. It makes things very difficult for auditions.

[ByeByeBirdieFan89]

^ Exactly. I don't think it's anything against his music - because any person who really knows about theatre will tell you it's brilliant music. But I agree it's because of how hard the music is to play.

[Sweeney Hyde]

There is, of course, the fact that most of his accompinist parts are so difficult...quite frequently nothing that you are singing appears in the music...but it is also because his songs are so well written that they can bring out the bad qualities in ones voice VERY easily.

[Salome]

exactly. its the same reason they tell you ot avoid SOndheim when auditioning for a show. the painist may not be able ot site read his work easily.

[Che]

let's not forget that most high schoolers have neither the character depth nor the vocal savvy to successfully pull off an entire sondheim show.

[ByeByeBirdieFan89]

^ That's true. But that doesn't stop them.

It breaks my heart every time a HS attempts Company, Follies, or Sweeney Todd.

And of course tons and tons do Into The Woods - and I'm fine with that.