School of Rock review

School of rock review

This was a wonderful musical!!! First of all, I liked the story a lot because I though it was very attractive and positive, and it could inspire many people who was chasing their dreams no matter the dreams were about music or their future in general. This musical was very suitable for students to watch. And it also contained the spirt of rebellion, self-recognition, power of youth and the relationships between parents and children. It was very thoughtful and meaningful. School of rock was one of the best musical I have even watched. To be honest, moved a lot. 

Moreover, I learned many things from the actors about how to portray their characters. Dewie Finn was truly a rebellious character; she could sacrifice any thing for her dream-rock music. She was poor, and she even could afford the rent, but she still did not give up her guitar like Ned Scneebly did. She was straight forward and strong, but actually, she was struggling with the life she chose. She was actually talent but lack of opportunities. I believe there are tons of this kind of people in the world; they are stubborn but admirable. Through Lexi’s body languages and her voice, I was pulled into the story naturally. She successfully made me feel like she was not acting Dewie; she was Dewie. I felt like Lexi, as an actor, somehow fit in this character perfectly, and I was so impressed because of this. 

Ned Scneebly was a memorable character also. I have to say John Jiang was very good at acting, and I like every character he act. He was very focused and skillful. He knew how to control his character’s changing emotions and personalties. Ned was not like Dewie because he had been shaped by life already. He needed to work hard and make his girl friend happy, so he could not do whatever he wants like Dewie. But in his deep mind or in his soul, rock music was always his love. I really like the scene he played the guitar and sang with Dewie which showed his true face. Also when he was wearing the colorful wig yelling on Patty’s face, not only me, other audiences sit behind me cheered for him very loudly. Undoubtedly, the character truly touched the audiences. 

The other character who was similar with Ned was Principal Rosalie Mullins. She hided herself because she had to be perfect in school, in front of children and parents. However, she was always hoping for friendships and freedom. She defiantly had more than two personalities, and Sam did a really good job. We can clearly see the change of the characters by her facial expressions and her outlooking. When she pulled her hair down, that was her inside her mind, and I was very glad to see that at the end of the scene, when parents and teachers all went to see the competition, she pulled her hair down and helped Dewie. She received both freedom and friendship at the end. 

First Draft Reflection

Reflection:

Our group haven’t practiced that much time before we acted out our first draft. We were unfamiliar with the blocking and some lines. And we didn’t cooperated very well. It was quite a failure. I was very unsatisfied with it. There were so many things needed to be improved which made me feel overwhelmed. Especially when I saw Chantelle, Nancy and Johnny’s group, they did a very good job, and I just wanted to trash our script. 

Classmates gave us many good suggestions. Basically were asking us to be louder, and make the story clearer. I felt quite lost because I wrote it, and I actually don't know how to fix those flaws. To be honest, that’s a really tough mission. I think we really need to try to separate the work more wisely in order to push our team to move forward. 

According to the suggestions, we need to separate the stage into three parts more clearly in order to let the audiences can distinguish the home(reality), heaven, dream(some place between reality and heaven). Actually I thought a lot about this, and I think we can solve the problem by practicing more and reading carefully of the script. Secondly, our adaptation was not that understandable without the lighting staff. And our stage model showed the lighting choices, but we didn't fully explain it. Such as blue light for the first dream, and pink light for the second dream. Besides, one thing I want to explain more is the red light and the red pants part. At first, Grace should hold those red pants given by Ma entering Caroline’s room (however, we didn’t show it clearly when we acted), and then in the book it says the red pant could protect the widows from being taken away by the dead husband; and Caroline and Grace look a lot like their mother, so Ma asks them to wear those red pants as well just for protecting them. And I used the original texts from book, but it seems not clear enough to explain this concept to the audiences. So we need to think about adding more information to let it make more sense. And because Ma herself was wearing the red pant all the time for preventing dead father’s returning, dead father was not able to get close or even see his wife. When he tried to enter his wife's dream, he was blocked by the red pant. And he also can’t see his wife in heaven that’s why there’s no “Ma” this character.  

We will ask Johnny, the god, to read the note part. 

“kevin, point to other side (stage left) to show eric waiting -- other side is "heaven" and stage left is real world so keep those the same always.”

Answer: he supposed to point at the audiences, but he did it wrong. But if he points at the audiences, will it make sense?  

Some suggestions also say that we need to add more body contacts to show the close relationships between the two sisters and some how connect with the father. In fact we planed to let Grace to sit next to Caroline and pat her shoulders to comfort her, but because of our lack of practices, we were not able to show that. And we even drove it further from the plan. But there actually are many places needed to add more body languages such as when Grace and Caroline first meet their father in dream, as Kat said, they should react more surprised and exaggerated to express their miss. But I have no idea what kind of actions is appropriate because I am not very good at developing the characters on stage. And none of us in our group figured that out. 

script + list

Scene 1:

Beginning:

(In the hospital room, Caroline and Grace are standing over the bed crying, silently watching their father struggling to breathe.)

Dead Father (Peterson): *Grabs Caroline's hand and then Grace’s hand* I will always be with you…..

Everything pause, the lights shut down. *Only one white light shoot on the bed*, after a second, dead father slowly get out of the bed and roam around (keep the white light on him). and then leave.

(white light, holy background music)

Now Entering Heaven

Dead father( peterson) *wakes up very confused*  What the…. * stands up but falls back down again* Let me try that again *stands back up*  *starts to looks around*

(lights only on hum, left center stage. )

*Voice speaks* : Peterson we have been waiting for you. I am sorry to inform you, but Your’e dead, Welcome to Heaven!

Dead Father: Who’s there! Where am I?

Dead Father(Peterson):

(*wonders around worries and touches hair*)

M-My hair (*long pause* )...Its back!

(*looks down and sees family and shouts*) HONEY! KIDS! ITS ME! PAPA!! (*pause*) HELLO! IM RIGHT HERE! (*sigh*) Can’t they here me?...Oh…Everything is gone... I guess I really am dead.

At the right part of the stage, lights up.

--------At home--------

Grace:( head looks back, body walks forward)  Mom, I’m ok. I’ll just go to check Caroline. I believe she’s crying right now.

Grace: Knock~Knock~ Hey little sis, may I come in? (knocks the door, slightly opens the door and enters)

(*No answer*)

(*Grace slowly approches caroline*)
Grace: Are you ok? mom and I are worried about you. (sits next to Caroline)

Caroline: *Sniffles*I’m ok. Just leave me alone! I don’t feel like talking right now.

Dead father: Wait..Are they Grace and Caroline?..Oh..my daughters. (sigh) So glad I can still see you here.

Grace: (*Puts arm around caroline*)Okok, but you didn’t eat anything. Don’t treat yourself like that. I believe dad also doesn’t wanna see that. Right?

Dead father: Oh, Caroline, my little trouble maker, go and have dinner with mom!

(right after dead father’s line. )

Caroline:(hands cover ears)  I don’t know. I miss him!! How can he just leave us?!

(wants to say something but stop) Peterson (Dead Father): (*sigh and looks down at his feet*) I’m sorry, dear. I never wanted this to happen. Trust me! I love you and your mother.

Grace: (sigh, trembling sound but tries to calm down) You know sis. He fought long and hard, but the cancer spread too fast and he couldn't keep up anymore. If he had the chose to stay, he would have.

Caroline: But…...I still have many things want to tell him… He can’t listen to me any more. I want papa back!!(crying, puting head between legs)

Dead father: Oh no.. Don’t cry Caroline…. I need to go, I need to go, I need to go.. my daughters need me! (exit)

                                                       left side lights off.

Grace: Listen sis.. Do you really want to meet dad again? (serious)

Caroline: Yes! But how?

Grace: Maybe..that’s too risky..I doubt we should listen to Ma

Caroline: Tell me! Tell me! Grace! please…

(show her two red pants) Grace: Ma said, start from today, we need to wear these red pants every night. In Ma’s family, the widows often wore blood-red panties so that their dead husbands would not come back and lie down next to them at night. And daughters who looked a lot like the widowed mother should also wear those panties, so that if they were ever mistaken for her, they will be safe. You know.. because dad is gone..so...Ma gives me them...Maybe..maybe

Caroline: maybe if we don’t wear them… Dad could come back!!

(Grace nods)Grace: Are you afraid of ghost?

Caroline: I will never afraid of papa!

(Grace and Caroline go to sleep)

SCENE END

Scene 2:

Dad: Felt anxious to rush down. . Where am I ? ( touches his pocket) ah? What is this? ( Find out a note)

The note said: The penultimate. Or the last twelfth.

                      This is the dream of someone who misses you so strongly..

                   At the time when the bell rings three times is the time you need return.

                   Do not touch the person you are familiar with!  (Father read out)

(He sees Caroline and Grace figure far away, and he can hear their voice) ah. . Is their dream

(Very slowly approached)

Grace: Where am I? I’m not suppose to be here..I’m on my way home. (looks around)

Wait a minute.. Where - is - my - home ? Am I in Haiti right now? No..no..that’s impossible.

(flute music)

Caroline: Grace! Where did you go? I asked you to wait for me!

Grace: Caro..Caroline! You are Caroline!

Caroline: Of course I am! What’s wrong with you?

Grace: Your arm..is back!! Why? I mean.. I couldn’t believe my eyes!

Caroline: What are you talking about? My arm? Back? Come on.. it’s always there, sis. Are you ok? You might be sick…

Grace: I’m ok. I’m ok..

(turn around, bite on arm) It doesn’t hurt…….Now, everything make sense. It’s a dream.

Caroline: Hurry up! Hurry up! He is waiting for us! We don’t have that much time left!

Grace: Who? Who is waiting?

Caroline: See! Papa! He is right there! Papa! Papa! (waves)

(Father, waving his hands)

(Two daughters, felt joyful, ran up): Dad, we miss you. . where did you go?    ( Together)

(His father reached out, wanted to touch the two daughters’ heads, but suddenly remembered the phrase "You can not touch the person who you are familiar with." Hand stopped in the air, a few seconds, puts down)

Father (muttered): No. . I can’t do that.

(Her daughter step forward,  his father step down once, then  her daughter stepped forward, then father step back again. )

Father: No, you can not come!   … Silence  Daddy really had a good time with you, and dad missed you, too. Caroline, you little bastard, Did you cry in the midnight? That’s not good.  Listen to your mom’s advice,  the bone soup mom cooked every day you needed to drink it. Grace did well, you grew up a lot, papa was very pleased. More and more looks like a sister. You have to take good care of yourselves, also take good care of your mother. I'm sorry I can not protect you anymore, but you have to believe that I love you  forever . Dad will bless you. .

Grace: No!dad. We can not live without you.  We have a lot of words to say to you.

(Bells sounded three times)

Dad: Time to leave, remember stay safely, my dear!

Light out immediately.

Scene 3:

Grace: No! No!!Dad please don’t leave us! （struggle on bed. )

Caroline: Grace! Grace, wake up! ( Shake her sis)

Grace: Ah.. It’s a dream...Oh my god.. Dad…

Caroline: Did you also dream about dad?

Grace: Yeah.. You too?! And..and in my dream, your arm is back!

Caroline: I guess we must have the same dream

Grace: Probably.. Papa did came back..Do you remember what did dad say?

Caroline: Yes, but not all of them. He wanted us to be strong, and he will always be with us. Sis, that’s his wish!

Grace: You are right. We shouldn’t let him down. We need to take care of ourselves and Ma. And if we miss him, we can always call him back. Cause he’s always there! Caroline, don’t tell Ma about the dream. Otherwise, she will be mad with us. And remember to hide your red pants carefully.

Caroline: So glad we can see him again.

Scene 4：

Grace: Time to go to bed sis. Hope you can enjoy the last night before your wedding.

Caroline: I know, but I don't want to, I miss dad, Do you think Dad will agree me marry Eric?

Grace: Of course he will. Don’t you remember he has been always looking for us?

Caroline: Yeah. Time flies. You and me are no longer little girls. By the way, did you remember the game that dad taught us? Let's play it.

Grace: do you mean that free association game? Ok,sure

Darker light.

Caroline: who are you?

Grace: I am the lost child of the night.

Caroline: where do you from?

Grace: I come from the inside of the lost stone.

Caroline: where are your eyes?

Grace: I have eyes lost behind my head, where they can best protect me.

Caroline: who is your mother.

Grace: she who is the lost mother of all.

Caroline: who is your father?

Grace: he who is the lost father of all.

Silent…..

Caroline: ok I think I have nothing to ask.. So good night and have a nice dream sis. love you Grace: Good night. love you too.

-------Dream-------

Dad: Caroline..Caroline.. (wakes her up)

Caroline: Papa! You haven’t come to my dream for a long time. Oh my god! I’m wearing a wedding dress! (looking at her dress and surperised) Yes! Dad! I’m gonna marry! I really want to tell you that! (happy)

Dad: I know.. I know.. sweet heart. Eric? Right? Glad you can find your happiness! I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I am so impressed. Finally, there is another man who can take care of you! (smile and nod)

Caroline: Oh dad! Do you really think so! I’m so happy. I was afraid that you won’t agree my marriage. (nearly cry)

Dad: That’s impossible Caroline. The only shame is I can’t come to the wedding ceremony in person. You don’t know how much I want to attend it. I’m sorry Caroline. I’m sorry. (sigh)

Caroline: Oh, dad...you don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault. I always remember you told me you will always be there.

Dad: Caroline….my girl, you are alway strong. Just go and chase your bright tomorrow. You deserve a better life. Once I thought god is unfair because he took your arm away and caused your disability. Me and Ma were very worried about you. But now everything is becoming better and better. It seems like your happiness is right around the corner.

Caroline: thank you dad. Thank you. I believe Eric will treat me well. (cry)

Dad: Yeah, I believe so. Well listen..This is dad’s last time come back.

Caroline: What? What do you mean? You… You won’t come to my dream again?

Dad: Yes

Caroline: Why? No...Are you gonna leave us?! （yell)

Dad: Sweet heart, I hope you can understand. This is the last time. That’s why I haven’t come for so long. I need to go. And actually I’m ready to go because I won’t be worried about you anymore. See? Eric is waiting for you. (walk forward and point to the audience side)

Caroline: Dad...don’t go.. (follow him)

Dad: (hug) I will alway love you.

Costume:

Betty (Caroline)- Pajamas, except red pants

Kat (Grace)- Pajamas except red pants

Kevin( Dead Father/Peterson)- All white, or grey is ok.

Props:

Clouds (Making at home)- Kat

Halo- Kevin

Pillows

Bed

Sofa

Light/ sound

- Kevin's side needs to me bright (white). But when Kevin's scene is done, his light should dim down to signify that he is done talking. And that his scene is coming to an end.

- Our side needs to be dark, maybe like a dark blue. But while Kevin is talking there should be no light shining near us because it's HIS "spotlight"

- For two girls, their lights can be blue or bright grey to show the night and in dream.

- When they went into dreams to find dad, the light shifts to bright yellow in order to show their happiness.

- On the last dream, when Caroline went into dream to share her marriage with dad, light shifts to bright pink.

- As for sound cues, Kevin's should have a holy sound to start off with, like angels singing when he wakes up on Heaven. Later on in the play, when Grace and Caroline wake up, their should be birds calling. That's to signify that is day time. Kevin or (dead father/Peterson) can only talk to the girls when they are asleep and dreaming. He can't communicate with them in the morning. So when he hears the birds singing and sees grace and Caroline starting to wake up, he has no choice but to leave.

Song Suggestions:

Dad died:

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqUdcOfxfuw

Dream about marriage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKUaIsar8ds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri3WsPDi4MY