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Do You Wanna Dance? I do! Introducing: Juke Box Musicals, A Review

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Do You Wanna Dance?  I do!

Are you looking for a musical with lots of roles so all your students can be involved? One that is entertaining, fast moving and light?  One with “ear worm” songs and hip, dancing beats?  Then Juke Box Musical’s Do You Wanna Dance is for you!

juke-box-musical

When I saw this musical advertised on Facebook, I asked the advertising firm if they were looking for pre-launch reviews.  They were and I accepted.

After directing productions for nearly forty years and creating a national playwriting contest, I can call myself an expert in both fores.

 I’m a tremendously experienced drama teacher, too.  I have read countless scripts and directed over 250 productions. I’m the gal you want for this job, that’s for sure.

There are many positives to this cute musical:

  • Twelve leading roles with an even split of female and male. (Hooray!) Plus a chorus of indeterminate size portrays many different characters.  Kids like to be busy on stage, not bored backstage.  This is a real plus.

  • At least twelve “catchy”  popular songs that encourage the listener to reminisce of latter days when they listened to a jukebox

  • List of characters with noted vocal ranges and brief character descriptions

  • Appropriate singing range for younger students (my advice– the production is mountable by middle school students and younger)

  • Simple plot, somewhat easy to project its outcome but moves along nicely and has a good message– Don’t let anyone stop you from the joy of dancing and singing. Everyone can dance.

  • Set description per scene (useful when planning production)

  • Stage directions, indepth (novice directors will appreciate these)

  • Simple costuming that most groups can create (another PLUS in my book)

  • Prop list with no difficult props to secure

  • Projection package of the various locales so that an erected set is not needed (this is a separate cost to the renter)

  • Suitable story for the whole family

Co-writers Mark Brymer and John Jacobsen are qualified and experienced musicians who can easily take on the challenges of writing a musical.  Mark Brymer has been a leading choral writer/arranger for the educational and church choral music markets for many years.

John Jacobson is known as a music educator, choreographer and author.  Both gentlemen are prolific creators.  Their resumes attest to their expertise.

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Do You Wanna Dance seems like a musical review. I think that’s what the writers were aiming for in writing it. I did a little research online and found a youtube video of the co-writers discussing the show.  John Jacobson called the show “campy fun.”

I’d agree with him. Kids love to dance and sing and surprisingly, they will sing songs from other time periods with no qualms or embarrassment.

“Walking on Sunshine” was released in 1979. That was over thirty years ago.  That doesn’t matter with music-a popular song continues to be popular long after its time.

Think about it… A family is sitting around the dinner table and their student begins humming one of the songs he’s hearsing from  Do You Wanna Dance. Before you know it, the parents recognize the song, begin singing along and the little sister jumps up and dances with a broom.

 (Sorry, I got a little carried away there…) if you ask me, that’s a pretty clever way to involve the whole family and the show hasn’t even opened yet.

Most importantly, Do You Wanna Dance doesn’t talk down to students and that’s a plus for me. Next time, I would challenge the writers to create another jukebox musical with a more difficult plot–our kids can handle it these days.  They are quite sophisticated and love a good challenge.

Other than the junior musicals through Music Theatre International, there aren’t many musicals appropriate for younger students to perform. Or they are insipid and not worth anyone’s time. If nothing else, Do You Wanna Dance is just plain fun! A church youth group, Scout troop or an after school drama club could produce Do You Wanna Dance quite successfully.

kids-dancing[1]

 

 

 

 

Who doesn’t like to sing and dance? (Now I’ve got Walking in Sunshine stuck in my head…)

Which is your favorite?  Singing or Dancing?

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net I’d love to hear from you.

Do you have a budding musical composer in your home?  Or maybe you have a class full of students who love writing and music?  

I have a lesson which they may enjoy:  Create Your Own Musical

Information on this website may be copied for personal use only. No part of this website may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the author. Requests to the author and publisher for permission should be addressed to the following email: dhcbaldwin@gmail.com

 

Dear Dance Student, I Recognize You from a Mile Away

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This is a four part series of posts (this is the second). Check out one, three and four here:

Dear Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

Dear Music Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

 

I love arts students. They are fun to be around and never fail to entertain you, that’s for sure.  Honestly, they are pretty easy to spot. These are generalizations and just for fun, to be honest. I asked for a little help from the people who know–teachers, artists, dancers, musicians and directors. Let’s see if you agree with us.

hip-hop-dancer

Dance students: (Thanks to Keturah Grunblatt, professional  director of operas and choreographer)

  • have a natural turn out when they walk
  • are poised
  • have erect posture
  • are always moving, dancing, stretching
  • girls can put their hair in a bun in record time, in fact their hair is always swept up
  • hear a beat to anything and dance to it–the washing machine, hammering on a set, slamming of lockers
  • sit like large dogs, with their legs all folded up underneath them
  • a knowledge of classical music
  • unnatural stretching,
  • health conscious appetite at a young age
  • wear form fitting clothes
  • look at their image and check themselves in any window reflection or mirror

 

dancer

 

Generally, if you are an arts student you are involved in one of the other arts as well.  These kids are very busy and like it that way.

What is most interesting about arts students is their popularity hierarchy within themselves.  If a guy is a tenor and he can sing as high as a female, that makes points for him.  The same goes for a girl who can climb a tall ladder and focus a light on a set.  If you are first chair violinist, you are popular, too or at the very least, respected. If a guy is a bass singer and he can dance, that’s another biggie.  If a girl can tap the heck out of a combination, you are considered “cool”.

However, if you are too serious about your art, the opposite is true.  Although revered, your friends may not even think to invite you to social events because they assume you are more interested in dancing or rehearsing than a pizza.

And anyone who is comical or can make everyone laugh automatically accrues popularity points no matter which art form they love.

Like most interests, there is a fine line to balance.  What is too much and what is not enough?

I appreciate this hierarchy somewhat, because it makes room for everyone in the arts. This popularity has nothing to do with beauty or brawn.  It’s all about talent and hard work. Everyone is an artist if they allow themselves to be.  Look for them. You’ll see.

Which art do you enjoy the most?  I’d love to hear from you.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Purchase my book, Bumbling Bea on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Bumbling-Bea-Deborah-Baldwin/dp/1500390356/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Information on this website may be copied for personal use only. No part of this website may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the author. Requests to the author and publisher for permission should be addressed to the following email: jadeandoak@gmail.com.

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Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

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I wanted to write about the fourth part of this series, dear drama students, i recognize you a mile away. This one is near and dear to my heart! This is a four part series of posts (this is part one). Click here for the other posts: Dear Music Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away,  Dear Music Student,  I Recognize You a Mile Away 

Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

I love arts students. They are fun to be around and never fail to entertain you, that’s for sure. Dear Music Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away  Honestly, they are pretty easy to spot. These are generalizations and just for fun, to be honest. I asked for a little help from the people who know–teachers, artists, dancers, musicians and directors. These are just tongue-in-cheek descriptions.  Let’s see if you agree with us.

Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drama student, I can recognize you a mile away

  • are expressive and look  for a “stage” everywhere (Our daughter used our front porch, small kitchen between the sink and the stove, the four and a half feet right in front of the television and even  performed at the end of  our bed.)
  • carry their script with them wherever they go and practice any time they can find or even when they are told not to
  • girls wear stage makeup as their street makeup, defending it because “It is the BEST quality makeup ever made!”
  •  everyday clothes are a kind of character–they like to make a statement (it could be a logo from a musical or maybe their current show shirt or a vintage skirt from the fifties)
  • perform an audition for you even when there are no auditions ( actors are always “on”)
  • speak as different characters, use accents, change their posture and gait to suit the character they are performing at whim
  • carry several plays to read whenever they have a chance or even when they are told not to
  • speak as different characters, use accents, change their posture and gait to suit the character they are performing at whim
  • carry several plays to read whenever they have a chance
  • lug around character shoes, rehearsal skirts or jackets, pencils, hi-lighters, water bottle
  • techies’ pockets carry nails, glow tape, screws, hot glue gun, left over gels for lighting equipment
  • clothing  is splattered in a recent set’s paint colors and left over saw dust is permanently engraved in the creases of their jeans
  • own A LOT of black clothing
  • change their hair color several times each year–usually something bright and bold
  • many love literature or language arts class (that only makes sense)
  • look at themselves in any window reflection or mirror whenever there is an opportunity
  • LOVE attention

Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These kids are very busy and like it that way.

What is most interesting about arts students is their popularity hierarchy within themselves.  For instance, if a guy is a tenor and he can sing as high as a female, that makes points for him.  The same goes for a girl who can climb a tall ladder and focus a light on a set.  Additionally, if you are first chair violinist, you are popular, too or at the very least, respected. If a guy is a bass singer and he can dance, that’s another biggie.  If a girl can tap the heck out of a combination, you are considered “cool”. You get the idea.

However, if you are too serious about your art, the opposite is true.  Although revered, your friends may not even think to invite you to social events because they assume you are more interested in dancing or rehearsing than a pizza. My daughter was so busy in theater and music while in high school, a lot of her friends forgot about her–it was tough to maintain friendships during that time.

And anyone who is comical or can make everyone laugh automatically accrues popularity points with everyone no matter which art form they love.

Like most interests, there is a fine line to balance.  What is too much and what is not enough?

No Small Parts

To be honest, I appreciate this hierarchy somewhat, because it makes room for everyone in the arts. This popularity has nothing to do with beauty or brawn.  It’s all about talent and hard work. Everyone is an artist if they allow themselves to be.  Look for them. You’ll see.

Which art do you enjoy the most? I’d love to hear from you dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Purchase my new book, We’re Live! Radio Theater #101 here.

Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

Or Bumbling Bea on Amazon here:

Bumbling Bea book review

Do you recognize your drama students in this description? I’d love to hear about them.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com.

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

Information on this website may be copied for personal use only. No part of this website may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the author. Requests to the author and publisher for permission should be addressed to the following email: dhcbaldwin@gmail.com

 

Dear Art Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

By 2 Comments

This is a four part series of posts (this is the third). Check out the other posts here:

https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/15/dear-drama-student-i-recognize-you-a-mile-away/

 

I love arts students. They are fun to be around and never fail to entertain you, that’s for sure.  Honestly, they are pretty easy to spot. These are generalizations and just for fun, to be honest. I asked for a little help from the people who know–teachers, artists, dancers, musicians and directors. This is a tongue-in cheek description of an art student. Let’s see if you agree with us.artist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art students: (thanks to Karen Eckdall Damon art teacher)

  • clothes are covered in the medium of their choice
  • dress colorfully and usually less like everyone else
  • their hairstyles are unusual, sometimes making a statement
  • create little sculptures out of bits of paper, a rubber band or paper clips
  • have to be reminded not to draw on their test, but to answer the questions
  • very visual and inclined to notice what others are wearing and comment on it
  • the biggest day dreamers of the four (my opinion)
  • do you have some more to add?

 

 

These kids are very busy and like it that way.

What is most interesting about arts students is their popularity hierarchy within themselves.  If a guy is a tenor and he can sing as high as a female, that makes points for him.  The same goes for a girl who can climb a tall ladder and focus a light on a set.  If you are first chair violinist, you are popular, too or at the very least, respected. If a guy is a bass singer and he can dance, that’s another biggie.  If a girl can tap the heck out of a combination, you are considered “cool”.

However, if you are too serious about your art, the opposite is true.  Although revered, your friends may not even think to invite you to social events because they assume you are more interested in dancing or rehearsing than a pizza.

And anyone who is comical or can make everyone laugh automatically accrues popularity points no matter which art form they love.

Like most interests, there is a fine line to balance.  What is too much and what is not enough?

I appreciate this hierarchy somewhat, because it makes room for everyone in the arts. This popularity has nothing to do with beauty or brawn.  It’s all about talent and hard work. Everyone is an artist if they allow themselves to be.  Look for them. You’ll see.

Which art do you enjoy the most?  I’d love to hear from you.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or Bumblingbea.com