in regards to the comment that this school won all the fancy awards. it should take more than a large budget and a fancy set to win those awards. the state of NJ should perhaps base the system on the talent of performers instead ??...just my opinion. this video does not prove the high school worthy of those awards : /
Point taken, however.. the award was for best PRODUCTION, not just the acting. As a complete performance, this show was phenomenal. It's the package that counts!
She's not bad, but I think the cast could have benefited from acting exercises to really bond with their wives and husbands, everyone is acting a bubble. I'm not blaming it on youth, I know plenty of kids capable of doing what I'm talking about.
Granted, this number is not the "best in the show," but this school DOES know what they're capable of. And out of 110 schools, they won Best Production of a Musical in the NJ state-wide competition [Paper Mill Playhouse, Rising Star Awards]. They also won for Steel Pier in 2001. And they won the Metros [Helen Hayes] HS Theater Awards [Best Musical] in 2005 & 2009 for The Will Rogers Follies & Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Paul and Bobby seem to be doing wonderfully, I love Company - but Amy... she didn't get all of the laughs that she should have gotten because she was overacting everything.
I don't know I think that it's good for a High School production the sets are good the voices are good the only thing is the acting isn't that great but other than that I thought it was good
It's easy to be a bland Paul, but I'm playing him in a production right now and found it more difficult than expected. Instead of patiently lobbing out one-liners for Amy to spin off, he needs to be strong through the entire scene, including when Amy says "I don't love you enough." His motivation is to both calm/console Amy get her to the wedding. There needs to be strong contrast between their personalities, which draws some humor too. Hope that helps! I'd say more, but... limited space here.
Stick to "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"....please.
And to everyone that doesn't understand why people aren't responding too well to a HS production of "Company" or "Follies"...it's not the voices they don't like it's everything else.
i'm a fan of Sondheims and I think high school students are doing a great job with the music but the subject matter I find a bit inappropriate. I'm all up for high school musicals though...
All this talk about what teens should or should not do or what teens could understand about relationships. I guess HS theatre programs should just produce shows like Disneys HS Musical. Is that ok with you people. Believe it or not these kids have a brain and are capable of great work. Let's raise the bar a little.
First High Schools should NEVER do this show!!!!!! sure the vocals are good and they are talented in that area but they can not deliver the emotional and situational arches of the show because they are so young!!! and this is coming from a person who thinks teens could do anything an adult can do show wise! this girls vocals are great but her acting is so un-believeable...this is like the only show i think high schoolers shouldn't do! NEVER!!
Interesting.. there hasn't been a "never do this show" comment in a while. The year before this show, the HS did FOLLIES. I'd expect this kind of comment posted to THAT show, not COMPANY. Not that it proves beans about this production, but it won several state-wide awards. Qualified evaluators found merit is this "young-staffed" show.
Now, VICTOR VICTORIA is a show that should never be done. and, not because of its theme. It just sucks: both music and book.
well the subject is about marriage and no teenager who doesnt have the best director can make it believeable...thats why i think teens shouldnt do it...again this is the only show that i think teens shouldnt do...follies is different because it does not focus' completely on marriage and love...again voices are great but i just dont believe them
Maybe you consider that it is most apt to be shown by teens -- with the new idea that teenage marriage is so easy and blissful, perhaps you could consider it a more interesting approach. Here they are married, and look, here's the irony. Becoming adults so soon really brings the very problems that are portrayed -- which are timeless.
WOW!!! I really love your take on that very insightful!! but there is one problem what aobut joanne?? the whole point of the character is that shes been around the block so many times...Is it really possible that a character that old would be friends with a character that young...originally it works, but i dont see how the age differenve works with that kind of take on the show :)???
The idea is still there. After so many years, so many failings, the problems are still there. Ergo, the manifestation holds: don't think that it will all work out in the end, just because you have so many ideals in youth. (Sad, but that was the point.)
Um, yes, I am quite aware the song is not about teenage marriage. I'm also aware that they aren't married until after this scene when Amy runs after him after Bobby proposes. I was simply pointing out the irony. The manifestation of Amy's child-like behavior played by, for all intents and purposes, a child. Once again, to each his own, but I still maintain getting upset because high schoolers decided to act parts older than themselves is ridiculous. After all, Shakespeare is out the door then.
I've been watching the videos from this production and I've been reading the comments and one thing no one seems to be commenting on is the pit orchestra... it's amazing... I just thought that should be out there
I quite like her, can't believe she's 14. But still it is a pity she keeps 'doing the arms', because it's hard not to focus on that part of her performance while she is singing.
Amy was a 14 year old freshman at the time. Sometimes you have to give some external direction to prevent the student from resorting to nervous random movements. Each student is different. You gotta do what you have to do. She came a long way from the beginning of the project and was nominated for a Helen Hayes high school theatre award,
Put that girls freaking arms down and duck tape them to her side. (It isn't so much her fault as it is the director's.)
Other than that I thought it was really well done for high school! Sondheim is amazingly difficult. So good job you guys! And as people have said before, the set is fantastic! Good show.
That being said, Amy's hand motions were distracting and unecessary but if we REALLY want to compare this to the Broadway performance, I'd take that more as a compliment than an insult no matter how bad you're saying it is.
Wow not sure why people are being so damn critical of a high school performance... like the creator of this video has said, people on youtube seem to think they have better taste than actual theatre critics who seemed to have approved of this...
As a high school student who goes to an Arts, school, this is pretty at par with most of the stuff we've done. Ive seen musicals in normal high schools and none have come close to this.
This was the first show that I attempted to use "magic" to move the set pieces, instead of the audience seeing actors and/or stage crew pushing all the stuff around. It was quite effective and made the the show flow seamlessly. No matter what you comment, this production won a state-wide award, so either it was "pretty" good, or the other 102 schools performed pure crap-suck. Thanks for your comments which are appearing EVERYWHERE!! I can barely keep-up, reading them all! :-}
And it was very nice!... how does the magic help/ assist in telling the story? I would love to learn your secrets behind what you did in this show... from designer to designer... what i've seen in your sets is quite brilliant and you have lots of potential!
The pit sounds good. The set is lovely, and effective. The blocking is illogical in places but I think it's a really tough show for high schoolers to tackle, so good work on the actors' part. It's not outstanding but it's not as bad as it could be for this age group. Granted, I'm playing Amy right now, so I'm a little biased.
ok. not brilliant but not horrible. I loved the set and the staging; especially throwing the apple. But casting needs to be reworked. Amy is a bit of an over actor.
Yeah, I agree. She's good but not going to take the world by storm! Note - she was directed to be "animated" a bit over-the-top. She's a good-deal "bigger" than the current Amy in the B'way revival, which is closing this week [if that tells you anything].
The performance was good, not outstanding, but certainly not as bad as some of these comments make it seem. The part that really annoyed me what the ending with the "amens" one person was really off tune.
haha...I'm the guy who played Paul in this production...and I cracked up at 'this kinda sucks' after reading the criticisms of everyone else on this post, some intelligent some not so much. But those three words got a good laugh here, so thank you.
I don't know!?! Either ya got the "chops" or ya don't. I know this guy who no-matter-what, CANNOT carry a tune, even as simple as "Happy Birthday!" LOL at his "attempts."
Stupid was a poor word choice. It seemed that people were defending an avg. performance with the fact they were nominated for a local theater award, which for the STUDENT holds little weight in the real world. NO you don't have to find a show where all characters are under 17. That's an absurd statement. Try finding a show with an appropriate style! Company is not some hokey musical theater production. Its requires a little more than glam and cool sets for it to work.
Did you search the other performances by this school? If you have a free moment, give a look-see. There are about 40 clips. Some of the stuff is pretty good [some... errr not so good!!] Let me know what you think. THANKS.
The "kids" graduating from this school really have received an "education" in musical theatre. Their resumes typically read: FOLLIES, COMPANY, STEEL PIER, CABARET, GRAND HOTEL, ZORBA, H2$, etc. It's quite an impressive list... FAR better than: CHARLIE BROWN, BYE BYE BIRDIE, HELLO DOLLY... aaahhhHHHH!! So it's "high school," ya gotta start somewhere!
It was rather ambitious thinking teens age 14 can portray a characters age 30 truthfully. What I find kind of disheartening is the lack of vocal training given to the students, especially the girl who plays Jenny - out of tune and poor tone quality. Shouldn't a high school who puts in a lot of money for a production train and teach students a little something about singing? Especially if they are going to pick Sondheim! High School is about learning, not winning some stupid theater award.
You can only do "so" much with some young untrained voices, no matter what. Furthermore, winning "stupid theater awards" strengthens [respect & financially] the theatre program of the HS, allowing for better education and training. Now doesn't that make sense?
Oh, one more thing... It's difficult finding 30 year old HS students, as well as shows with all the characters under 17. There just ain't a hell-of-a-lot to choose from.
ADVISO: To all the small people who feel compelled to bash a performer for whatever twisted reasons, remember... this performance won the top honor, BEST OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION, in a state-wide competition.
I guess that the typical 17-18-19 year old youtube viewer is WAY more qualified to evaluate a performance with far more insight than a panel of experienced, professional theatre judges.
this makes me sad... some high schools have great performers but dont have the money or experienced educators to provide sets like that while schools like this have all sorts of money and experience with lackluster performers.
Don't be sad.. Since the 2004 Helen Hayes HS Awards didn't have a BEST LACKLUSTER category, they settled for nominating this girl for BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE, but you know better. Go figure??
What do you mean "all sorts of money." Where'd ya hear THAT?
defensive much? I'm not bashing... she did fine for a high school show but I'm just saying that I've seen some really STELLAR high school performances that are brought down to an amateur level because of cheap looking sets and costumes. Granted I just saw Company on broadway and this girl can't hold a candle to Heather Laws, but she's not trying to. All I was saying is that I wish some of the local high schools where I live could have the money to provide the excellent staging in this clip
OH! I'm glad you clarified your comment, because I didn't get any of that meaning from what you originally wrote. As far as the new revival of Company... I thought it was pretty much crap. The OBC will never be beaten! Hey - it's just my opinion!!!
I'm sending you a message in a minute. Please read it. THANKS
This was not the best performance of the four, but the other video-shoots got messed-up. Still, with or without God's approval... a little more annunciation would have been nice.
very nice for a highschool production, the amy shows so much potential. That choir girl however, is out of tune way too much for my taste, and her pop scoops are just flat out annoying.
good. she probably saw this and ran out to get a voice teacher. at least I hope that's what happened.
Anyway, nods again to the girl playing amy and the whole production team. very smooth, very pro. Not many highschools can pull off transitions like that.
I watched all the clips to this production last night, and I think it is amazing for a high school production. The set is good. The only one I didn't like is the girl playing Amy. She over complicated the role. The guy playing Bobby is good, but his "Being Alive" didn't have much emotion into it.
Just out of curiostity, what did you mean by she "overcomplicated the role"? I am playing Amy right now, we actually open in a week, so I thought your comment was intriguing.
dude, leo....you should relax abnout people's comments towards these shows...they are just high school...let go. to be honest high school performances do not matter in the real world of acting especially...so relax
In a "Company in Concert" performance [video clip] around a dozen years ago, the original Amy [Beth Howland] used many of those gestures. They were directed "in" to this Amy's performance. As you might know, Amy is a bit of a twisted character [with the pressure of her wedding to Paul happening in a few minutes].
Yeah I see what you mean, but you have to be careful though trying to adapt someone else's performance, because it doesn't work for this girl playing Amy, which is a shame because she's very talented, the director should've found another way for her to express the anxiousness
I don't understand why YOU would be qualified to even give an opinion about "what or what not" should be performed in a high school. What "schools" in particular all did Company [that you're complaining about]?
you cannot teach life lessons. This musical is too emotionally deep for high school. Period. There are actors that will go out and experience something in reality if they get a part that requires them to portray it, so that they have a real experience to draw from. I can see straight through the fake emotions I see when high schoolers perform material that they should not.
Oh, my mistake. I could've sworn you guys had more noms than that. We also had 2 honorable mentions,just to throw in there. I was only a freshman then, so I wasn't a Company or even a Sondheim fan yet. What number did you guys perform, I remember your performance but can't remember which song it was. Was it the title song?
It still amazes me we didn't win one thing. It was a GREAT experience though.
Gads, tell me about it!! - I mean the way it feels. Several times we've been nominated up-the-wahzoo, just to come home with zero wins. ERRRRRRR!! Those Rising Star judges are certainly a unique breed!!
{I'm sending you a message in a minute. Please read it and reply.. THANKS}
I wouldn't say INCREDIBLY well.. but it's a good job for a high school. Her diction just isn't all there, the diction isn't on the level of the Broadway Amy's. But that's expected.
and this comment comes from seeing the first preview of the new Broadway Company revival last night. Which was fantastic.
Yes, this "mumble-mouthed" girl was 14 years old when she performed Amy. Yes, I agree that she did a good job... enough to get a nomination at the Helen Hayes Awards. NO KIDDING - she's not the B'way Amy!!
Anyway, I'm excited about the new revival and plan to see it after it opens!!!
---Now, once again - what show did you do in 2004?
"All?" You're kidding. Your noms totaled way more than ours. You got 9 noms, 6 of which we did not - Emsemble Group, Graphic Design, Hair & Make-up, Costume Design, Choreography, & Leading Actress. We were BOTH nominated for Musical Direction, Director, & Overall Show. That's it! {Our other noms were for Scenic Design, Lighting Design, & Orchestra.}
I remember enjoying the performance that you guys gave that night!
Another question. I'm assuming you are the director for this school? Are you? If so your work really is impressive, I just tend to get really weird with High Schoolers performing a lot of Sondheim stuff.
Nah, I'm not the director, just the technical supervisor, set designer, assistant lighting person, and somewhat assistant director. . Just a "nobody!!"
The director reads all these comments and I'm sure will appreciate your praise. THANKS
Incredibly difficult song, done INCREDIBLY WELL !! It's hard to believe that this is a highschool production. Scene change sooooo smooth, actors so talented and at EASE. Orchestra - everything, JUST WORKS!! Amazing job. Sondheim, we know, is NOT easy. Really pro production. thanks for this!!
Apparently raising your arms a lot means you're an actress
Esorassen 2 months ago
i am going to hop in the screen and strap her arms to her fucking sides.
grant1205 11 months ago
She's very lucky the book is incredibly well written.
overthemoo 1 year ago
in regards to the comment that this school won all the fancy awards. it should take more than a large budget and a fancy set to win those awards. the state of NJ should perhaps base the system on the talent of performers instead ??...just my opinion. this video does not prove the high school worthy of those awards : /
JakeBdsafan09 1 year ago
@JakeBdsafan09
Point taken, however.. the award was for best PRODUCTION, not just the acting. As a complete performance, this show was phenomenal. It's the package that counts!
leojrevlis 1 year ago
She's not bad, but I think the cast could have benefited from acting exercises to really bond with their wives and husbands, everyone is acting a bubble. I'm not blaming it on youth, I know plenty of kids capable of doing what I'm talking about.
JauntyJules 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Bethenny's Getting Married? is best show ever, what I watched , but I watch it in HD at:
TVFLAP . COM
flipporify 1 year ago
Amy clearly dosn't know the meaning of a tune because although there isnt a clear tune there IS a tune so sing it already
Bidia280795 2 years ago
Yes she "dos" know the meaning of a tune. How stupid do you think high schoolers are? She just "dosn't" sing THIS tune very well [no offense Alana].
leojrevlis 2 years ago
this high school needs to know what they are capable of. sondheim probably isn't a good choice for these students.
michsturg 2 years ago
Granted, this number is not the "best in the show," but this school DOES know what they're capable of. And out of 110 schools, they won Best Production of a Musical in the NJ state-wide competition [Paper Mill Playhouse, Rising Star Awards]. They also won for Steel Pier in 2001. And they won the Metros [Helen Hayes] HS Theater Awards [Best Musical] in 2005 & 2009 for The Will Rogers Follies & Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Yes, it's a crazy world!
leojrevlis 2 years ago
...says a lot about new jersey....
michsturg 2 years ago
What the hell is Amy doing with her arms? It's very distracting.
thepantweaver 2 years ago 2
Paul and Bobby seem to be doing wonderfully, I love Company - but Amy... she didn't get all of the laughs that she should have gotten because she was overacting everything.
VultusUtAstrum 2 years ago 2
This staging is taken right from the Kennedy Center production.
kgrahams 3 years ago
And so?.....
leojrevlis 3 years ago
It's iintellectual property and the original creator received no compensation I assume. Higher profile productions have been sued in the past.
The kids are great- I just think their teacher should know better.
kgrahams 3 years ago 2
I don't know I think that it's good for a High School production the sets are good the voices are good the only thing is the acting isn't that great but other than that I thought it was good
pandapal13 3 years ago
Ouch.
EtrangerStranger 3 years ago
Ugh, I have to play Paul's musical part soon. I can't relate to this bland character at all!
Ravendov 3 years ago
It's easy to be a bland Paul, but I'm playing him in a production right now and found it more difficult than expected. Instead of patiently lobbing out one-liners for Amy to spin off, he needs to be strong through the entire scene, including when Amy says "I don't love you enough." His motivation is to both calm/console Amy get her to the wedding. There needs to be strong contrast between their personalities, which draws some humor too. Hope that helps! I'd say more, but... limited space here.
birdhombre 3 years ago
Amy leans forward loads!!! The singing at the start is well good!!
Sophiepg117 3 years ago
Jenny flubbed a few lyrics
ie "the heart sinks up and feels to be hold...."
babbagecabb 3 years ago
Stick to "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"....please.
And to everyone that doesn't understand why people aren't responding too well to a HS production of "Company" or "Follies"...it's not the voices they don't like it's everything else.
MTVMANN 3 years ago
I don't have an issue with high schoolers performing "Company". Face it, it's acting, get over it. Carping about age is really fruitless.
However, "Amy" really needs to tone down the gestures. The humor is lost if it's overplayed. She's supposed to be so nervous not... almost raving?
seergreen 3 years ago
A very fine job for a high school. paul has a nice voice, just a bit too "scoopy". I applaud your work though.
snoopy9456 3 years ago
Good job on the song; it's REALLY hard. The dialogue is much if underplayed rather than overplayed, though.
zither74 3 years ago
The dialogue is much WHAT if underplayed?
leojrevlis 3 years ago
Sorry... much better if underplayed.
zither74 3 years ago
i'm a fan of Sondheims and I think high school students are doing a great job with the music but the subject matter I find a bit inappropriate. I'm all up for high school musicals though...
boiwater 3 years ago
the costumes are too young
and teh actors act too young
babbagecabb 3 years ago
Oh, tehy are?
leojrevlis 3 years ago
It's a HS show, dumbass. This is better than some professional productions I've seen.
zither74 3 years ago
I really wish my High School Drama teacher had the guts to try something like this.
torias1123 3 years ago
her diction is TERRIBLE
babbagecabb 4 years ago
Oh you flatterer! {Don't tell a sole but I agree!!}
leojrevlis 3 years ago
All this talk about what teens should or should not do or what teens could understand about relationships. I guess HS theatre programs should just produce shows like Disneys HS Musical. Is that ok with you people. Believe it or not these kids have a brain and are capable of great work. Let's raise the bar a little.
ZB2002 4 years ago
Yes I guess so... :)
charliesmalls 4 years ago
i dislike this girl she seems really stiff
theatrenerd10 4 years ago
First High Schools should NEVER do this show!!!!!! sure the vocals are good and they are talented in that area but they can not deliver the emotional and situational arches of the show because they are so young!!! and this is coming from a person who thinks teens could do anything an adult can do show wise! this girls vocals are great but her acting is so un-believeable...this is like the only show i think high schoolers shouldn't do! NEVER!!
charliesmalls 4 years ago
Interesting.. there hasn't been a "never do this show" comment in a while. The year before this show, the HS did FOLLIES. I'd expect this kind of comment posted to THAT show, not COMPANY. Not that it proves beans about this production, but it won several state-wide awards. Qualified evaluators found merit is this "young-staffed" show.
Now, VICTOR VICTORIA is a show that should never be done. and, not because of its theme. It just sucks: both music and book.
Check-out some other clips! Thanks!!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
well the subject is about marriage and no teenager who doesnt have the best director can make it believeable...thats why i think teens shouldnt do it...again this is the only show that i think teens shouldnt do...follies is different because it does not focus' completely on marriage and love...again voices are great but i just dont believe them
charliesmalls 4 years ago
Maybe you consider that it is most apt to be shown by teens -- with the new idea that teenage marriage is so easy and blissful, perhaps you could consider it a more interesting approach. Here they are married, and look, here's the irony. Becoming adults so soon really brings the very problems that are portrayed -- which are timeless.
seergreen 4 years ago
WOW!!! I really love your take on that very insightful!! but there is one problem what aobut joanne?? the whole point of the character is that shes been around the block so many times...Is it really possible that a character that old would be friends with a character that young...originally it works, but i dont see how the age differenve works with that kind of take on the show :)???
charliesmalls 4 years ago
The idea is still there. After so many years, so many failings, the problems are still there. Ergo, the manifestation holds: don't think that it will all work out in the end, just because you have so many ideals in youth. (Sad, but that was the point.)
seergreen 4 years ago
you're overanalyzing it.
the song is not about teenage marriage, and its not ironic
and they are not married here, they're engaged
babbagecabb 3 years ago
Um, yes, I am quite aware the song is not about teenage marriage. I'm also aware that they aren't married until after this scene when Amy runs after him after Bobby proposes. I was simply pointing out the irony. The manifestation of Amy's child-like behavior played by, for all intents and purposes, a child. Once again, to each his own, but I still maintain getting upset because high schoolers decided to act parts older than themselves is ridiculous. After all, Shakespeare is out the door then.
seergreen 3 years ago
I've been watching the videos from this production and I've been reading the comments and one thing no one seems to be commenting on is the pit orchestra... it's amazing... I just thought that should be out there
cheshirekate7749 4 years ago
WOW!! these kids are brilliant...such talent and so young.
hilljacknutjob 4 years ago
I quite like her, can't believe she's 14. But still it is a pity she keeps 'doing the arms', because it's hard not to focus on that part of her performance while she is singing.
M4RL03SJ3 4 years ago
...
SweeneyHyde 4 years ago
Hmmm.. Why so wordy?
leojrevlis 4 years ago
This is a cute version...they're funny
foglight11 4 years ago
the girl who plays amy although they arm motions are a bit annoyin she is a really good sininger and actress
laybourne2 4 years ago
Amy was a 14 year old freshman at the time. Sometimes you have to give some external direction to prevent the student from resorting to nervous random movements. Each student is different. You gotta do what you have to do. She came a long way from the beginning of the project and was nominated for a Helen Hayes high school theatre award,
ZB2002 4 years ago
Put that girls freaking arms down and duck tape them to her side. (It isn't so much her fault as it is the director's.)
Other than that I thought it was really well done for high school! Sondheim is amazingly difficult. So good job you guys! And as people have said before, the set is fantastic! Good show.
ShuShuMcJ 4 years ago
That being said, Amy's hand motions were distracting and unecessary but if we REALLY want to compare this to the Broadway performance, I'd take that more as a compliment than an insult no matter how bad you're saying it is.
perfectestperson 4 years ago
Wow not sure why people are being so damn critical of a high school performance... like the creator of this video has said, people on youtube seem to think they have better taste than actual theatre critics who seemed to have approved of this...
As a high school student who goes to an Arts, school, this is pretty at par with most of the stuff we've done. Ive seen musicals in normal high schools and none have come close to this.
perfectestperson 4 years ago
Absolutely wonderful..... but I pity any actress who has to sing,
"...I telephoned my analyst about it
and he said to see him Monday
But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson
with the other garbage..."
as fast as Amy does....
TexasPhoneMan 4 years ago
lol...An ATTEMPT to be like Broadway with a cool set and lighting, but the show was missing a big part, acting, singing, and dancing...Shame
jdlynch 4 years ago
This was the first show that I attempted to use "magic" to move the set pieces, instead of the audience seeing actors and/or stage crew pushing all the stuff around. It was quite effective and made the the show flow seamlessly. No matter what you comment, this production won a state-wide award, so either it was "pretty" good, or the other 102 schools performed pure crap-suck. Thanks for your comments which are appearing EVERYWHERE!! I can barely keep-up, reading them all! :-}
leojrevlis 4 years ago
And it was very nice!... how does the magic help/ assist in telling the story? I would love to learn your secrets behind what you did in this show... from designer to designer... what i've seen in your sets is quite brilliant and you have lots of potential!
jdlynch 4 years ago
In Milwaukee, WI.
groundsofbklyn 4 years ago
The pit sounds good. The set is lovely, and effective. The blocking is illogical in places but I think it's a really tough show for high schoolers to tackle, so good work on the actors' part. It's not outstanding but it's not as bad as it could be for this age group. Granted, I'm playing Amy right now, so I'm a little biased.
groundsofbklyn 4 years ago
Playing Amy where?
leojrevlis 4 years ago
the singing and the acting is horrible but the set is really good for a high school.
choochooboi 4 years ago
I'd rather it be the other way around but.. I'm glad that you liked "something!!"
leojrevlis 4 years ago
ok. not brilliant but not horrible. I loved the set and the staging; especially throwing the apple. But casting needs to be reworked. Amy is a bit of an over actor.
dramadrama6694 4 years ago
Yeah, I agree. She's good but not going to take the world by storm! Note - she was directed to be "animated" a bit over-the-top. She's a good-deal "bigger" than the current Amy in the B'way revival, which is closing this week [if that tells you anything].
leojrevlis 4 years ago
HEY - That's my set design!! THANKS!!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Honestly I love the pillars for this play. and the lighting is brilliant!
dramadrama6694 4 years ago
The performance was good, not outstanding, but certainly not as bad as some of these comments make it seem. The part that really annoyed me what the ending with the "amens" one person was really off tune.
StrangersCandyRocks 4 years ago
Tell me about it!!! One of the "pit singers" was WAY too close to the mic. She should have been in another State!!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
this kinda sucks
darkcarver 4 years ago
Three words - short and sweet! I like that. Thanks for being compelled to share your innermost thoughts.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
haha...I'm the guy who played Paul in this production...and I cracked up at 'this kinda sucks' after reading the criticisms of everyone else on this post, some intelligent some not so much. But those three words got a good laugh here, so thank you.
lundqvist30frk 4 years ago
P.S. it doesnt take much training to get someone to sing in tune!
izzy2345 4 years ago
I don't know!?! Either ya got the "chops" or ya don't. I know this guy who no-matter-what, CANNOT carry a tune, even as simple as "Happy Birthday!" LOL at his "attempts."
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Stupid was a poor word choice. It seemed that people were defending an avg. performance with the fact they were nominated for a local theater award, which for the STUDENT holds little weight in the real world. NO you don't have to find a show where all characters are under 17. That's an absurd statement. Try finding a show with an appropriate style! Company is not some hokey musical theater production. Its requires a little more than glam and cool sets for it to work.
izzy2345 4 years ago
Did you search the other performances by this school? If you have a free moment, give a look-see. There are about 40 clips. Some of the stuff is pretty good [some... errr not so good!!] Let me know what you think. THANKS.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
The "kids" graduating from this school really have received an "education" in musical theatre. Their resumes typically read: FOLLIES, COMPANY, STEEL PIER, CABARET, GRAND HOTEL, ZORBA, H2$, etc. It's quite an impressive list... FAR better than: CHARLIE BROWN, BYE BYE BIRDIE, HELLO DOLLY... aaahhhHHHH!! So it's "high school," ya gotta start somewhere!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
BTW... "cool sets"... THANK YOU, they were my design!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
It was rather ambitious thinking teens age 14 can portray a characters age 30 truthfully. What I find kind of disheartening is the lack of vocal training given to the students, especially the girl who plays Jenny - out of tune and poor tone quality. Shouldn't a high school who puts in a lot of money for a production train and teach students a little something about singing? Especially if they are going to pick Sondheim! High School is about learning, not winning some stupid theater award.
izzy2345 4 years ago
You can only do "so" much with some young untrained voices, no matter what. Furthermore, winning "stupid theater awards" strengthens [respect & financially] the theatre program of the HS, allowing for better education and training. Now doesn't that make sense?
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Oh, one more thing... It's difficult finding 30 year old HS students, as well as shows with all the characters under 17. There just ain't a hell-of-a-lot to choose from.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Hey Paper Mill... Someone just called your impressive, innovative, respected theatre awards program "STUPID!!"
rodanvideo 4 years ago
ADVISO: To all the small people who feel compelled to bash a performer for whatever twisted reasons, remember... this performance won the top honor, BEST OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION, in a state-wide competition.
rodanvideo 4 years ago
I guess that the typical 17-18-19 year old youtube viewer is WAY more qualified to evaluate a performance with far more insight than a panel of experienced, professional theatre judges.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
this makes me sad... some high schools have great performers but dont have the money or experienced educators to provide sets like that while schools like this have all sorts of money and experience with lackluster performers.
parislover87 4 years ago
Don't be sad.. Since the 2004 Helen Hayes HS Awards didn't have a BEST LACKLUSTER category, they settled for nominating this girl for BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE, but you know better. Go figure??
What do you mean "all sorts of money." Where'd ya hear THAT?
leojrevlis 4 years ago
defensive much? I'm not bashing... she did fine for a high school show but I'm just saying that I've seen some really STELLAR high school performances that are brought down to an amateur level because of cheap looking sets and costumes. Granted I just saw Company on broadway and this girl can't hold a candle to Heather Laws, but she's not trying to. All I was saying is that I wish some of the local high schools where I live could have the money to provide the excellent staging in this clip
parislover87 4 years ago
OH! I'm glad you clarified your comment, because I didn't get any of that meaning from what you originally wrote. As far as the new revival of Company... I thought it was pretty much crap. The OBC will never be beaten! Hey - it's just my opinion!!!
I'm sending you a message in a minute. Please read it. THANKS
leojrevlis 4 years ago
hello acting-with-your-hands 101.
also, FOR GOD'S SAKE annunciate.
lepetitthimble 4 years ago
Hello, directed-to-do-it-that-way 102.
This was not the best performance of the four, but the other video-shoots got messed-up. Still, with or without God's approval... a little more annunciation would have been nice.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
There is a clip on youtube showing incredible articulation.
I'll send you the link because it's not "allowed" here!! Thanks Google!!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
very nice for a highschool production, the amy shows so much potential. That choir girl however, is out of tune way too much for my taste, and her pop scoops are just flat out annoying.
jacattack86 4 years ago
That pop-scoop-annoying, out-of-tune girl became a lead in the following year's show, The Will Rogers Follies. Go figure!!
.. No, she wasn't Will!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Good. Guess she got a voice teacher.
jacattack86 4 years ago
good. she probably saw this and ran out to get a voice teacher. at least I hope that's what happened.
Anyway, nods again to the girl playing amy and the whole production team. very smooth, very pro. Not many highschools can pull off transitions like that.
jacattack86 4 years ago
I thought Amy did a pretty good job - thats a hard song to sing no matter who you are :D
EponineJavert 4 years ago
Those hand movements she's making are distracting...lol.
NathanLaneObsesser 5 years ago
Okay, noted! Do you have any other comments about the 8 1/2 minute clip?
leojrevlis 5 years ago
I watched all the clips to this production last night, and I think it is amazing for a high school production. The set is good. The only one I didn't like is the girl playing Amy. She over complicated the role. The guy playing Bobby is good, but his "Being Alive" didn't have much emotion into it.
NathanLaneObsesser 5 years ago
Just out of curiostity, what did you mean by she "overcomplicated the role"? I am playing Amy right now, we actually open in a week, so I thought your comment was intriguing.
scrambles13 4 years ago
There is a clip on youtube showing incredible articulation.
I'll send you the link because it's not "allowed" here!! Thanks Google!!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
dude, leo....you should relax abnout people's comments towards these shows...they are just high school...let go. to be honest high school performances do not matter in the real world of acting especially...so relax
jbactr 5 years ago
"Dude," tee-hee, that's funny calling me "dude!" Okay, I'll relax,just because you say to. I guess you know what's best, dude.
leojrevlis 5 years ago
not at all i would never say that, nor imply that.... but really it is only high school..h-i-g-h s-c-h-o-o-l
jbactr 5 years ago
I g-e-t t-h-e d-r-i-f-t.
leojrevlis 5 years ago
who told the girl playing Amy to do those silly hand gestures?
ManfredDeJesus 5 years ago
In a "Company in Concert" performance [video clip] around a dozen years ago, the original Amy [Beth Howland] used many of those gestures. They were directed "in" to this Amy's performance. As you might know, Amy is a bit of a twisted character [with the pressure of her wedding to Paul happening in a few minutes].
leojrevlis 5 years ago
Yeah I see what you mean, but you have to be careful though trying to adapt someone else's performance, because it doesn't work for this girl playing Amy, which is a shame because she's very talented, the director should've found another way for her to express the anxiousness
ManfredDeJesus 5 years ago
i don't understand why schools think it's ok to do Company in HS
MarcyPark16 5 years ago
I don't understand why YOU would be qualified to even give an opinion about "what or what not" should be performed in a high school. What "schools" in particular all did Company [that you're complaining about]?
leojrevlis 5 years ago
I imagine MarcyPark16 is skeptical in regards to the ability of HS students to understand the characters of the show, which is perfectly reasonable.
MattBarlow 5 years ago
In that case, MarcyPark16 underestimates the intelligence of the student actors, as well as the director's ability to "teach" his students.
leojrevlis 5 years ago
you cannot teach life lessons. This musical is too emotionally deep for high school. Period. There are actors that will go out and experience something in reality if they get a part that requires them to portray it, so that they have a real experience to draw from. I can see straight through the fake emotions I see when high schoolers perform material that they should not.
adcahela 3 years ago
I couldn't agree more.
ryboe77 2 years ago
Oh, my mistake. I could've sworn you guys had more noms than that. We also had 2 honorable mentions,just to throw in there. I was only a freshman then, so I wasn't a Company or even a Sondheim fan yet. What number did you guys perform, I remember your performance but can't remember which song it was. Was it the title song?
It still amazes me we didn't win one thing. It was a GREAT experience though.
ljay889 5 years ago
Yes, we did the title song.
Gads, tell me about it!! - I mean the way it feels. Several times we've been nominated up-the-wahzoo, just to come home with zero wins. ERRRRRRR!! Those Rising Star judges are certainly a unique breed!!
{I'm sending you a message in a minute. Please read it and reply.. THANKS}
leojrevlis 5 years ago
I wouldn't say INCREDIBLY well.. but it's a good job for a high school. Her diction just isn't all there, the diction isn't on the level of the Broadway Amy's. But that's expected.
and this comment comes from seeing the first preview of the new Broadway Company revival last night. Which was fantastic.
ljay889 5 years ago
Yes, this "mumble-mouthed" girl was 14 years old when she performed Amy. Yes, I agree that she did a good job... enough to get a nomination at the Helen Hayes Awards. NO KIDDING - she's not the B'way Amy!!
Anyway, I'm excited about the new revival and plan to see it after it opens!!!
---Now, once again - what show did you do in 2004?
leojrevlis 5 years ago
We did The King and I. We were nominated in all the same categories as you.
ljay889 5 years ago
"All?" You're kidding. Your noms totaled way more than ours. You got 9 noms, 6 of which we did not - Emsemble Group, Graphic Design, Hair & Make-up, Costume Design, Choreography, & Leading Actress. We were BOTH nominated for Musical Direction, Director, & Overall Show. That's it! {Our other noms were for Scenic Design, Lighting Design, & Orchestra.}
I remember enjoying the performance that you guys gave that night!
leojrevlis 5 years ago
Another question. I'm assuming you are the director for this school? Are you? If so your work really is impressive, I just tend to get really weird with High Schoolers performing a lot of Sondheim stuff.
ljay889 5 years ago
Nah, I'm not the director, just the technical supervisor, set designer, assistant lighting person, and somewhat assistant director. . Just a "nobody!!"
The director reads all these comments and I'm sure will appreciate your praise. THANKS
leojrevlis 5 years ago
Incredibly difficult song, done INCREDIBLY WELL !! It's hard to believe that this is a highschool production. Scene change sooooo smooth, actors so talented and at EASE. Orchestra - everything, JUST WORKS!! Amazing job. Sondheim, we know, is NOT easy. Really pro production. thanks for this!!
doug18020 5 years ago