"Confucious Say" (Scene 2B) Vocal Video

I apologize for how blurry this video is, but it was "take 3" and I really didn't want to do a fourth!
  ; )  You don't need to look at me anyway.  Your noses will be in your scripts/scores.  

We'll be working on this song and (hopefully) "Confucious Say (Finale)" on Thursday, December 6th.  There is a separate blog post for the Finale version.

Please be on time.  We'll start at 12:30 sharp.  Thank you!

"Thomas" Vocal Video

I explain some things in the video, so please watch the beginning (talking part) at least the first time.  Once you understand what I'm talking about, then skip to the song whenever you practice on later days.

Evan, I sang all of your parts, but I like how you spoke some of them on Thursday.  Do what you like best.

Sloane, the tricky part I tell you about in the video?  Well, I came in a little late myself here.  It's tricky, but I have total confidence in you.  

Workers & Artists, I was thinking of doing parts in a couple of places, but there really aren't as many of you as I had originally thought.  We'll just all stick to the melody for now, and if we feel like adding an alto part later, well...there's plenty of time.

Scripts!!!

I just sent out the scripts, so check your email!

Costume Information

Willow Blues Costumes

Part of this play take place in Victorian England in a porcelain factory.

We want to distinguish Thomas and Katherine by having them wear Willow Blue colors.  (Thomas’s blue could be his vest).  Everyone else:  Please DO NOT wear blue, except perhaps navy blue.  Also, try to stay away from bright, jewel tone colors.

Men, general information:  Suits were usually black or brown.  Some men wore collars that stood up.  They wore bow ties or ascots.  Very rich men wore vests that were brocaded or silk. Other men wore vests, but not that fancy.  Some wore tophats and gloves.  The fabric was wool for suits and cotton shirts. They wore morning jackets. They did wear stripe or plaids for pants The clothing was not very fitted.

Thomas Barnes (Jr. Accountant-nephew of Mary Barnes) Black or brown suit, Could have a morning jacket, a vest (but not silky) Perhaps a top hat and gloves.  The stage directions say you are fancily dressed.  Imagine how someone who aspires to be wealthy, but isn’t really wealthy, would dress.

Potter Parimutuel (Manchester Moneylender) a black or brown suit or pants and vest silky or brocaded.  A top hat, gloves.

Ernest Caulk (Foreman) pants, cotton shirt 

Shinplaster (Auditor) Black or Brown suit or pants and vest cotton shirt bow tie or ascot

Constable pants and shirt, jacket.  Maybe navy blue.  Hat

Kathryn (Albert’s oldest daughter - nice dress ,long willow blue color.  Small print, very small hoop or just slip under dress small hat

Albert’s other daughters:  Beatrice Hopkins, Elizabeth Hopkins - nice dress, long, small print fabric, very small hoop or just slip under dress small hats

Camellia (tea  lady) gypsy look, long skirt(no hoop) colorful,  blouse, jewelry scarf for head, shawl on hip

Lady Mary Barnes (widow, factory owner) Very well dressed,  long dress with hoop, very nice fabric, long sleeve top that matches skirt  hat gloves

Victoria Gilbody(widow, factory owner) very nicely dressed, but not as fancy as Mary  Dress with hoop, hat 

Ann Chamberlain (secretary) Nice dress no hoop

Jo (cleaning lady) long skirt, or dress no hoop  plain color

Cordelia (tea Lady-in-waiting) like Camellia, not quite as much jewelry

Artists : Peggy, Lottie, Bessie, Hattie

All Artist- Long skirts and blouses, nice but not fancy, and black tint jackets like an artist (or hairdresser) has (see Mrs. Conto for more details on jackets - We have a couple)

Workers:   Lucy, Nettie, Lily, Polly, Sally

All workers -wear plain colored long skirt, no hoops blouse and we will get aprons to wear over your clothes

Contessa de la Milano very well dressed, hoops, shawl  purse, fancy hat or parasol

Translator:  nice dress, long, small print fabric , very small hoop or just slip under dress small hats

The other part of this play takes place in China  (Ancient times):

Bright, shiny  jewel tone colors.  For most of the characters, a Chinese mid-length robe with shiny black pants would probably work.  You might want to consider making a simple robe out of a shiny tablecloth or shower curtain.

We want to distinguish Chang and Koong Se by having them wear Willow Blue colors.  Everyone else:  Please DO NOT wear blue, except perhaps navy blue.

Chang (accountant) Willow Blue-ish top, black shiny pants

Tso Ling (wealthy man) pants and top with vest that goes to the floor

Ta Jin(nobleman wants to marry Koong Se) Very wealthy Pants and top with vest to the floor.  Special hat.

Guard & Captain: Doesn’t have to be an exact match, but should be similar.  Perhaps gold or silver tops with black tie belt and black pants.  Try to do some coordinating with each other. 

Debt collectors: Feng & Zhang – coordinate with each other - should be matching, perhaps red top with black pants

Koong Se (Tso Ling's daughter) long robe, willow blue color   

Lian (Koong Se’s maid ) long robe, not as fancy as Koong Se

Zhenjiang (secretary/fortune teller)  Robe  – Chinese, possibly embroidered, exotic looking

Family members:  Bright, shiny tops with shiny black pants

Sailors – We have sailor tops.  You would need white pants.

Thugs – White tops, dark pants

Some movies to get some ideas of what your character would wear:

For China: Mulan.

For Victorian England, you could watch Oliver!  A Christmas Carol, or other Dickens movies or miniseries; Wuthering Heights;  possibly Gaslight.

The King and I  or Anna and the King (rated PG-13 - intense violence, nothing graphic), might incorporate a little of both.  It’s not the right time period and set in Siam, not China, but it might have ideas (especially for the children in The King and I).

If you have questions, please check with Mrs. Conto as to what things look like.  She will have books to look at.

ADDED:  I was in Goodwill the other day, and saw several Chinese tops and several other robes.

Information About Scripts

I forgot to set out a sheet on this yesterday at auditions.

This year, we're using a different publisher, Maverick Musicals, out of Australia.  We've purchased the rights  to make our own copies of the scripts.  When the scripts are ready, we'll be emailing them, as well as the score, out to each family.

We're hoping most, if not all, of the families will be able to make their own copies of the scripts.  You can make one for each cast member in your family, if you'd like.  I'm not sure when the scripts will be emailed to you, but it will definitely be before the November 15 meeting.

If you're not able to make your own copy, we'd ask each family to notify us, and to pay $5 for each copy of the script and $5 for each copy of the score that you'd like.  You'll receive them at the November 15 meeting.

Our CD's this year will not have vocals to go along with them.  Learning the songs will be a little trickier, but I think you'll be able to pick up on them fairly quickly.

If you want more information on our show, you can go to the Maverick Musical website, www.mavmuse.com, or, more specifically, http://www.mavmuse.com/musical.asp?MusicalID=42.  You can read the information there, and set up your own account to view the perusal materials.

I'm very excited about the show and the cast this year!  I think we'll have a great time together!

Cast List!!!

Factory (1850’s England)

Albert Hopkins (Manager – Kathryn, Beatrice & Elizabeth’s father) – Evan Kluge

Ann Chamberlain(secretary) –Trisha Conto

Beatrice Hopkins (Albert’s daughter) – Krista Fuller

Bessie (Artist) – Brianna Piotraschke

Camellia (tea lady) – Maddi Stuewer

Constable – Gabriel Cary

Contessa de la Milano – Angela Cary

Cordelia (Tea Lady-in-training) – Juliana Cary

Customs Officer – Conner Fregien

Elizabeth Hopkins (Albert’s daughter) – Morgan Fregien

Ernest Caulk (Foreman) – Henry Stuewer

Genevieve (Worker in Act 2) – Angela Cary

Hattie (Artist) – Hannah Piotraschke

Jo (Cleaning Lady) – Ally Boughton

Kathryn (Albert’s oldest daughter) – Sloane Schinke

Lily (Worker) – Laura Hintz

Lottie (Artist) – Micayla Pedersen

Lucy (Worker) – Erica Conto

Lady Mary Barnes (widow, factory owner) – Michelle Hintz

Nettie (Worker) – Savanna Braun

Peggy (Artist) – Marie Kluge

Polly (Worker) – Emma Green

Potter Parimutuel (Manchester Moneylender) – Nick Boughton

Sally (Worker) – Nora Kowalkowski

Shinplaster (Auditor) – Michael Conto

Stella (Worker in Act 2) – Elizabeth Cary

Thomas Barnes (Jr. Accountant- nephew of Mary Barnes) – Ethan Fregien

Translator – Elizabeth Cary

Victoria Gilbody (widow, factory owner) – Georgi Ritter

China

Captain – Elliot Kowalkowski

Chang (accountant) – Brandon Martin

Feng (debt collector) – Seth Schinke

Guard – Peter Fuller

Koong Se (Tso Ling’s daughter) – Elena Kowalkowski

Lian (Koong Se’s maid) – Maria Fuller

Ta Jin (nobleman) -  Isaiah Torrez

Tso Ling (wealthy man) – Coulter Boughton

Zhong (debt collector) – Raphael Cary

Zhenjiang (fortune teller/secretary) – Maddie Fregien

Chen Family – Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Gavin Piotraschke, Conner Fregien

Liu Family – Steven Holbrook, Grace Stuewer, Joshua Piotraschke, Peter Kluge

Yang Family – Megan Pedersen, Chris Cary, Clayton Piotraschke, Alex Mielke

Sailors* – Elliot Kowalkowski, Peter Fuller (Ishmael), Gabriel Cary (Erasmus), Gavin Piotraschke, Joshua Piotraschke, Clayton Piotraschke

Sailors’ Sweethearts** - Angela Cary, Elizabeth Cary, Erica Conto, Savanna Braun, Laura Hintz, Nora Kowalkowski

Thugs – Gabriel Cary, Gavin Piotraschke, Joshua Piotraschke, Clayton Piotraschke, Steven Holbrook, Conner Fregien, Chris Cary, Peter Kluge, Alex Mielke

Gypsy Dancers*** – Marie Kluge, Micayla Pedersen, Brianna Piotraschke, Hannah Piotraschke

TaJin’s Family Members – Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Grace Stuewer, Megan Pedersen

Bandits/Ghosts/Tigers**** -- Brianna Piotraschke, Hannah Piotraschke, Laura Hintz, Micayla Pedersen, Erica Conto, Savanna Braun, Marie Kluge, Nora Kowalkowski

Four Starts Dancers - Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Gavin Piotraschke, Conner Fregien, Steven Holbrook, Grace Stuewer, Joshua Piotraschke, Megan Pedersen, Chris Cary, Clayton Piotraschke, Peter Kluge, Alex Mielke*****

ADDED:  Additional Four Starts Dancers:  Maria Fuller, Maddie Fregien, Raphael Cary, Seth Schinke, Hope Kustic

* We have sailor tops.  You will need white pants (see Mrs. Conto for details)

** Angela & Elizabeth – you can probably use your same costumes, just dress down the accessories as sweethearts.  After this scene, you can join up as workers in the factory.

Workers – you’ll take off your aprons for this scene and maybe add an accessory or two for this scene.

***You will be in Drink a Cuppa.  You can take of your tint jackets and add a shawl and a gold necklace or two.

****You will be in the background of Shi-Jing Shi Sanbal, behind the big white curtain, acting out as Chang reads his poetry.

*****You will be dancing during The Four Starts – Dragon Dancing, Parasol Dancing, Lantern Dancing and Ribbon Dancing.

Our Next Musical Will Be....

Whew!  

After much perusing of scripts over the summer, we’ve finally come across an awesome script that should be a great fit for our group.

The script we’ve chosen is Willow Blues, from Maverick Musicals (www.mavmuse.com) out of Australia.  Our first setting will be a porcelain factory in Victorian England.  One of the characters loves telling stories, and he enthralls his coworkers with the tale behind the Blue Willow china pattern.  This provides us with a play-within-a-play, and a second setting, Ancient China. 

I’m excited about the great role possibilities for everyone!  You’re a talented bunch, and I think you can have a lot of fun with this one.  And the costumes!  As if Victorian England wasn’t enough we’ll also have Ancient China!  (Your character will be from only one of the times – you won’t need a costume from each period.)

I hope you’re all as excited as I am.  We look forward to seeing you at auditions on October 4! 

(I made a mistake in my article for the September newsletter.  WRHS dues are payable to Lisa Marthaler, not Connie Schinke)