Company and teenagers
Company and teenagers
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#1Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:14amHello Everybody, I work with performing arts students who range from about 17-19 and this wednseday I'm putting together a 'Company' watch party. I wanted to know if anybody had any ideas on how to market 'Company' to this age group. A lot these kids think 'Wicked', 'Legally Blonde' and 'Spring Awakening' when they hear musical theatre. Are there any ideas people had on how I can market a watch party to students who think Elphaba is the greatest gift to musical theatre? Thanks-
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
zooxanthellae
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
#2re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:20amWell if they're performing arts students and are serious about their carers they should really broaden their musical theatre repertoire beyond the likes of pop musicals, like the ones you've mentioned. It should be clear to them that Sondheim is one of the most important musical theatre composers of the twentieth century and "Company" is one of his best works. Not to mention this is a tony award winning production with a wonderful cast!
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
#3re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:21amI don't know how you'd market it to someone who isn't a little Broadway obsessed. I'm 17, and I've got it on my calendar. Nobody had to market it to me.
heatherr
Understudy Joined: 11/11/07
#4re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:23amI don't think you necessarily need to "sell" it, I saw it when I was 15 and I absolutely loved it. Even if they are slightly reluctant, I think they'll quickly forget about any hesitations once it begins.
#5re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:40am
I agree with the poster who said that if they're performing arts students, you probably won't have to do too much pushing to get them interested in a classic.
But, if they are the types who think Wicked is the only musical out there, perhaps explain to them that they'll be seeing one of the shows that paved the way for everything they see and love now. There is so much appealing about Company that you don't have to be like, a 75 year old woman to get excited about.
One of the things that always amazed me about the revival was how much it (rather unexpectedly, I think) connected with younger people. It's very easy to look at a show that's about a guy having an identity crisis on his 35th birthday and assume that young people aren't going to "get" it. I've heard a lot of people say that in order to understand Company, you need to be a certain age and have experienced certain things in your life, and yet the revival garnered quite a following from people in the late teens-early/mid 20's age group. And while it may have been unexpected, it was very real. I'm 21, and that revival was the love of my life. I was 19 the first time i saw it. I've never connected more with anything I've seen on stage. And maybe I understand it differently than I would if I were older, but I understand it on my own terms. Company is not just about middle age and marriage. Company is about figuring out who the hell you are, and about longing for connection in this world of proverbial ice cubes. Raúl has said a number of times that in many ways, it's about growing up; and what teenager doesn't understand that? So if you're worried that your teenaged students are going to feel like it's this distanced thing to them, I don't think that's an issue at all.
I mean, you saw it didn't you? And judging by your avatar, you probably loved it. Use that if you feel the need to "sell" it to your students. Enthusiasm can go a long way. Don't think of it as having to get them interested only by way of how enormous Sondheim's contributions to the theater are, or that Company broke the mold. Certainly preface it with that, because it's important, but in the end, we all want to feel. And if these are kids who like Spring Awakening, one would hope it's because they relate to it. They can relate to this, too. "Sell" it to them in a way that will appeal to that. In other words, if you're concerned that they'll be resistant to watching, don't think you have to limit yourself to the academic appeals; don't just tell them how important it is historically, or how intellectual Sondheim is. That might lead them to expect it to be dry or boring. Get them to expect they're going to like it. Maybe some of them won't, but at the very least, they won't go in rolling their eyes.
And if all else fails, there's always the Sex & The City comparison. 
karen24
Broadway Star Joined: 2/27/06
#6re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:46am
I agree with zooxanthellae; if they are into performing arts they really need to learn about Sondheim and his contributions to musical theater. I would give them some background on his work and show them where "Company" fits in with that. You could also talk about what makes this production unique (the actors playing the instruments, for example) and maybe show them some clips (I think there are some on the video Web site) from the original production, so they can "compare and contrast."
I would also go over the structure of the musical with them and make sure they understand what's happening--that the action is not linear, but rather Bobby sitting and thinking about various experiences he's had with his friends just before his "surprise" party--because that might be confusing to them (I know it was to me!)
I do think that if they are at all interested in theater that they will like it. My son is 15; he loves theater; we saw it 3 times on Broadway and still have it marked on our calendar to see again!
Maggie-the-schnoodle
#7re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:50am
First off, thanks to everybody who replied. LuvtheEmcee, I did see this show and not living in NYC, I came back to NYC 3x just to watch this show. I'll never forget the last show, sitting in the Barrymore and bawling through 'Being Alive'. You're right, you don't have to be 35 to get this show and I have never been more touched by a show in my life.
As for the fact that the kids should know the classics, I agree, but they were never taught that Broadway has been around long before Elphaba 'Defied Gravity'. Very few of them have ever heard 'West Side Story', and many think that the 'Chicago' on Broadway only came about because of the movie. I hope that does provide a reference point. Again, thank you to everybody who responded and I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes~
Updated On: 2/18/08 at 10:50 AM
#8re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:53am
You could always just tell them that Bobby's a total stud. 
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#9re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:55am
I agree, but they were never taught that Broadway has been around long be Elphaba 'Defied Gravity'.
That's really odd.
zooxanthellae
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
#10re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:04am
I agree, but they were never taught that Broadway has been around long be Elphaba 'Defied Gravity'.
But isn't that the thing, shouldn't they teach themselves if they're really interested in musical theatre. I mean, I'm not overly involved in performing arts, but I managed to expose myself to as much and learn as much as I could at a young age.
I can, however, see your problem. A lot of young kids I know, who are about that age and who think that they're going to be broadway's next "Idina Menzel," only know about Hairspray and Wicked (or the like). God forbid you mention "Follies" or even "Company," I've even been told that those aren't "real" musicals....
Well, I wish you a lot of luck in getting your students enthused about Company. I hope it works out well!
#11re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:06am
Ok, statement corrected.
"I agree, but they were never taught that Broadway has been around long before Elphaba 'Defied Gravity'."
heatherr
Understudy Joined: 11/11/07
#12re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:25am
You could always just tell them that Bobby's a total stud.
I was definitely going to suggest that.
#13re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:40am
And these kids are performing arts students? What? Are you kidding me?
If they don't care enough about their craft to want to learn about other musicals, then they won't have a career in the theatre.
And Raul is such a stud.
"Writing is like prostitution. First, you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money." ~ Moliere
SweeneyPhanatic
Broadway Star Joined: 1/4/06
#14re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:31pmI haven't really looked at them, but you might check out the educational resources on the "Great Performances: Company" website. Maybe you'll find something in there.
-- SDG
#15re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:39pmTell them how the show won the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, and the original won the Tony for Best Musical. People eat that ish up. You can also tell them a little about Stephen Sondheim.
#16re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:40pm
I would have them watch INTO THE WOODS first, introducing them to Sondheim, and then have them watch COMPANY. That way, you can ask them questions and they can compare and contrast the two musicals along with WICKED and the shows they have already seen.
I just find that INTO THE WOODS is a great way to introduce people to Sondheim. That's how I learned about him.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
East Village
Featured Actor Joined: 9/23/07
#17re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:41pmThere hasn't been that many shows that have strayed from the traditional musical theater structure and worked...Company is one of them. Kids love to throw away the rules, that might be an interesting angle
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#18re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 1:28pm
You could always just tell them that Bobby's a total stud.,/i>
You say that like it's a lie :-P
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#19re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 2:54pm
Ahem, I only speak the truth.
#20re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 3:02pmHave fun watching! I know I am looking so forward to it!
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
#21re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 3:03pm
While Teens liked this production, I don't think they fully "get" what the show is about. I think you need to have some life experience to really understand what the show is all about.
That said, I have loved the show since I was about 16, so it really depends on the kid. I was weird for my age and understood Bobby from day one. But I think being in NYC and been a serial dater for years before "settling down" really broadened my understanding of the piece.
#22re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 3:34pm
"they were never taught that Broadway has been around long before Elphaba 'Defied Gravity'. Very few of them have ever heard 'West Side Story', and many think that the 'Chicago' on Broadway only came about because of the movie."
...these are performing arts students? Like they go to a performing arts school or are they just members of the drama club? I can't imagine an arts student that doesn't know West Side Story and Sondheim...
I saw the revival when I was 18 and LOVED it. I knew of the show beforehand and even owned the original cast recording.
I agree with the others, tell them it's a Tony winning show that broke the mold and made the way for alot of the shows on Broadway today and that, like Spring Awakening, it's about a guy trying to understand life and grow up surrounded by (equally) confused peers (albeit over twice the age range).
EDIT:
OH! You might also wanna make this relation-
Company=Sondheim revival with actor/musicians=Sweeney Todd=Johnny Depp :)
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
Updated On: 2/18/08 at 03:34 PM
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#23re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:48pmI am directing teenagers in a high school production of bye bye birdie and we open this week...and of course wednesday is our last dress rehearsal...but many of my students are excited to see this on PBS...it all started last year when I saw the revival for the first time (I was directing most of them in Little Shop) and I kept raving about the show and playing the music...many of them went home and downloaded the album...sadly they couldn't get to NYC in time to see it so they were stoked when they heard this was being taped...they are all taping/dvring it and they asked if they could all come in early on thursday and watch it while they get ready together....They all are now into Sondheim because of Company
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life. Define yourself"
#24re: Company and teenagers
Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:08pmAre these kids into theatre or not? if they are theatre kids, they'll love it. If they aren't, why even bother? And by the way, do non-theatre kids even know about "Spring Awakening", "Legally Blonde", or "Wicked"?