Topic Thoughts on "Children Will Listen" from the General Chit-Chat forum.
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| Author | Topic: Thoughts on "Children Will Listen" |
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 Chip1012
Registered User
Registered:
7/13/2003
From:
Boston | posted: 11/25/2004 at 8:58:46 PM ET
Okay it was very moving, and beautiful to see Sondheim so touched...but a bit dissapointed that Bernadette was promoted as "the narrator of the documentary" and only had a few lines in the very beginning.
The naivity of the kids was really sweet also, when discussing what the prince would wear, one of the boys said "he should have corn-rows!" And then another "I don't think the prince should wear Calvin Klein..." or something to that effect.
thoughts....?
"The child is so sweet and the girls are so rapturous. Isn't it lovely how artist's can capture us?~" Sunday in the Park with George
|  Jamie
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2004
From:
Massachusetts | posted: 11/25/2004 at 10:01:34 PM ET
I thought it was very cute to see the kids going through the different stage of the show (I'll admit, I was switching between the show and Will and Grace, haha) but I am curious as to why they chose to do Into The Woods. I love the show myself and my high school just finished a production of it last week but I just find it so difficult and complex. I feel that it is just a show that means more when adults put it on. Even as a highschool student I feel that we weren't really able to give the full meaning because we haven't been through a lot. I think that the whole message of "Children Will Listen" does well coming from students but at the same time I just feel it loses some of its meaning.
I'm sorry if that makes no sense or if no one else agrees with me. I'd be interested to know what other people think about it and believe me, I thought it was a really nice documentary.
"Not a day goes by..."
| Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
207.237.8.x | posted: 11/25/2004 at 10:04:22 PM ET
As someone who is working on a degree in Educational Theatre I was so glad to see this documentary. Integrating the arts into the school curriculum is a fantastic way of learning. I'm glad there was a documentary on it, people seem to know so little about arts in education.
I personally, hate to see kids just put on a show when there is so much that can be learned through theater. These kids learned science, math (from counting to cut the cloth), culture studies (fairy tales from other countries)and I'm sure many other subjects could have been integrated from Into the Woods. Not to mention the self esteem that was built by these kids having the opportunity to perform.
Yeah, it would have been cool to hear more from Bernadette but I think the larger picture was seeing these kids have an incredible experience.
| Chip1012
Registered User
Registered:
7/13/2003
From:
Boston | posted: 11/25/2004 at 10:18:16 PM ET
I agree with you Jamie. The kids didn't even get to think about all the many textures and layers of the relationships in the show that make it so extraodinary. And like any performance, life's experiences only enrich.
"The child is so sweet and the girls are so rapturous. Isn't it lovely how artist's can capture us?~" Sunday in the Park with George
| Jamie
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2004
From:
Massachusetts | posted: 11/25/2004 at 10:23:50 PM ET
Chip, that's exactly what I'm saying! After working on the show for a month and a half, we learned so many things and tried to explore all of the layers of the show. It was so interesting (and difficult!) but I can't see how the kids could explore these aspects of the show itself. Yes, it seemed like an incredible learning experience that they had by creating the costumes and sets as well as putting the show together but I think that part of what makes performing Sondheim so amazing is the layers of it. I'm glad they were able to learn so much through the show and have fun doing it, though 
"Not a day goes by..."
|  Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 11/26/2004 at 8:50:28 AM ET
Oh boy, I was really choked up by the end of this wonderful documentary--what these kids learned and felt will, I suspect, stay with them for a long time after the songs and lines leave. Although I'll bet for the rest of their lives they will say that ITW is their favorite musical.
I guess they chose ITW Jr to go along with the other 6 shows, 2 concerts, and talk with Sondheim in that magical Spring/Summer of 2002 at the Kennedy Center.
I agree with anon that they learned a lot more than the show itself, very good lessons indeed. As to ITW, I agree it will take a few more years of experience before they "get it"; besides, by doing the junior version, don't they really miss the point of the second act: everything has consequences, etc etc.
Oh, and no, I really wasn't disappointed that Bernadette narrated so little--it's really not about her, and, let's face it, too much of her presence could easily outshadow the kids and the message of the documentary!
| futuremamarose87
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2004 | posted: 11/26/2004 at 10:44:25 AM ET
Anon, i actually recently applied early to NYU for a degree in Ed. Theatre. I'm really excited.
I couldn't watch "Children Will Listen" last night... doing thanksgiving stuff but its on again tonight, so i'll watch it then.
"It was like being high when you reach those high notes."
~Bernadette Peters
| Annie
Registered User
Registered:
8/20/2004
From:
New York, New York | posted: 11/26/2004 at 12:12:07 PM ET
I bet the kids did learn something about the relationships it just wasn't put on the documentary. Remember they studied this for nine months....I'd be very suprised if they didn't do anything on character. It probably wasn't as in depth as you like it, but when you're working with little ones you have to bring it down to their level.
Sorry that reply earlier is posted as Anonymous. That was me! I meant to sign in and I guess it didn't work.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 2/2/2005 at 1:46:10 PM ET
I got this from Netflix recently-absolutely loved it. Wonderful story.
Jenn
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