Sweeny Todd for a highschool musical?

Question

So our highschool is going to be performing the musical "Sweeney Todd". I really like this musical, and I love the music, but I just don't think it's appropiate for a highschool to put on. The director said he found a "pg" version, but it still involves killing people. I'm also guessing that we won't get very many people to come see it, since it involves murdering. I would like to know if you think its appropiate for a highschool to be putting on this musical, and also if you would go and see it.

Answer 1

I don't think it's inappropriate for High Schools.  Jr. High or Middle Schools, yes, but not High Schools.  It might be difficult, as most Sondheim musicals are, but not inappropriate.  If you were to cut out Sweeney for the murders, then you must cut out Once Upon A Mattress for a character being pregnant without being married; West Side Story for the gang violence and murders; even OKLAHOMA has a murder in it -- sure, it's self defense, but the death occurs on stage.

Answer 2

I absolutely loved Sweeney Todd, but I don't think I would want to see a "pg" version. That musical is WAY too violent for a high school crowd.

Answer 3

i dont think there should,the movie does have violence and it has killing which  the viewers will not like because if the parents will be there they will get offensive  in which or what u putting them to do

Answer 4

I don't think so. The fact that the main this is killing. Doesn't make it a good high school play. But good movie(:

Answer 5

I am involved in a local theatre...and they did it...and their version had very little blood and such...you could call it pg-13

Answer 6

It's appropriate. It's a highschool, and a sort of bridge for actors to start honing their skills as actors. If an actor avoids anything that has murder in it, it becomes that much harder for them to become an actor. As for the audience, if they don't want to see it then they don't have to. Supportive family and friends should turn up, and because Sweeney Todd is a popular movie now, the turnout would probably be better than you expect.

Answer 7

I think it is...not really. I love the musical. Great movie, too. I would come any day. Ask him to Evita or something on those lines for high school.

Answer 8

Take it from someone that has seen the original broadway production, and the revival in 2007, and the Tim Burton film...it is totally worth it. I mean, Sweeney Todd CANNOT be done without the murders, it just CANT! It would be like wicked with an Elphaba with pink skin. Or Hairspray with a bulimic Tracy. Or POTO with out the chandelier scene. By removing the murders, you ruin the show. There are PG ways to symbolize the murder. In the revival version formerly starring Patti LuPone, every time Sweeney todd slit someones throat, the stage light swould just all turn red, there is a high pitch screetching sound, and Mrs. Lovett pours a gthick red liquid (resebling blood) from one medal bucket to another. In this version, the actors remain onstage the entire show and the only costume changes occur during intermission. The characters that have een killed where white lab coats with red blood stains on them. Good luck..i am sure it will be gr8! it is an awesome show