The Prince and the Pauper

Excursion to Massachusetts

At MTI we routinely review the scripts and CDs of new musicals.  For the most part, the company only represents a musical that has had a Broadway, Off Broadway or West End run––MTI is not in the business of producing or promoting an unknown property.  However, there is some leeway in the area of children’s theatre.  If the piece is based on a classic children’s story, reads well and has an appealing score, MTI might consider handling it.  The need for quality youth theatre musicals is ever growing.  Through a long time connection with CEO Freddie Gershon, George Fischoff dusted off his musicalized version of Mark Twain’s THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER from the ‘60s and sent it to MTI for consideration on the eve of a new production in Springfield, MA produced by the Majestic Theater.  The CD, which features a young John Davidson as Miles Hendon, has a great old fashioned Broadway orchestration and sounds like a cousin of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.  Everyone at MTI who reviewed it thought it was a winner.  Coworker Matt Boethin and myself drove out to Springfield to see the children’s theatre production and get a real sense of the show.  Somewhere through the years the orchestration heard on that CD simply disappeared.  Fischoff’s piano score was quite simple and only offered a very basic accompaniment for a group of kids with limited singing skills.  The combination diminished the material quite a bit, but still, the quality of the piece could be seen.  What is terrific is that the Majestic provides a regular opportunity for kids and teens to be a part of musical theatre.  The activity of working together as a group for the common goal of producing a show is a great education, regardless of whether or not any of the kids actually go into professional acting.  The material registered as concise, simple to produce well and entertaining for the kids, with enough intelligence to satisfy adults too.  The show is not substantial enough for Broadway, but at one hour in length, it is perfect for children’s audiences.