Far Corners Community Musical Theatre
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Why Oliver!?

​Dealing with Difficult Messages in Oliver!


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by Michelle Boesch

This year for our summer program we chose to produce the musical Oliver! in Monteverede. Oliver! works well for FCCMT because not only does it allow us the opportunity to work with a many children of all ages from the area,  but it also allows us to use a creative medium to address some issues that come up in our student's lives.

Probably the most sensitive issue touched upon in Oliver! is domestic violence: the lead female character, Nancy, is physically abused by another character, Bill Sikes,  yet she chooses to remain involved with him.
Unfortunately, many women in all communities are dealing with similar circumstances, and we feel that while it can be difficult to watch this abuse come to a head on stage, that it is important to address the issue not only with the cast, but with our audience.  We hope that our students will learn from our rehearsals and discussions, and will have a lasting impact on the community in Costa Rica.
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Revisando la Situación: Creating a Bilingual Oliver!


Picture
by Lisa Burns

For this year’s production of Oliver!, we were lucky to have been able to license a professional Spanish translation (done for the Colombian premiere last fall).  In the past, we have worked with our students to translate dialogue into their native languages.  Now, for the first time, we are also presenting translations of many of the lyrics.

To best meet the needs of both our cast and audience, we are presenting a thoroughly bilingual version of the show.  Most songs will be performed with alternating sections in English and Spanish.  I’ve been carefully picking through the two librettos to maintain the story-line of each song while highlighting the best of sections of each language-version.  Sometimes, the original language is too good to let go -- but there are many cases where the Spanish not only works smoothly but is truly beautiful or witty.

My favorite bilingual construction is “Who Will Buy” or “Comprarán.”  The Spanish translation is simple and elegant.  The original lyric repeats many times, so no content needs to be lost in either language.  But the real thrill is that the vocal arrangement involves different types of musical layering.  Thus, after presenting the English and Spanish text, we are able to later build in both simultaneously.
Here’s an example of a translated lyric that I greatly enjoy.  Although the rhyming structures and plays on words do not work the same way as in the original English, it captures the spirit and feel of the song -- and gets a good laugh!
Original English:    
    A WIFE WOULD COOK AND SEW FOR ME
    AND COME FOR ME AND GO FOR ME
    AND GO FOR ME AND NAG AT ME
    THE FINGERS SHE WOULD WAG AT ME
    THE MONEY SHE WOULD TAKE FROM ME
    THE MISERY SHE’D MAKE FOR ME
    I THINK I BETTER THINK IT OUT AGAIN
Spanish Translation:    
    UNA ESPOSA QUE ME COSA
    QUE ME LLEVE Y ME RECOJA
    ME CONCIENTA Y ME COCINE
    ME DESPRECIE Y ME FASTIDIE
    MI DINERO SE ME LLEVE
    QUE MISERIA ESTAR CON ELLA Y YO
    QUIZÁS DEBA PENSARLO UNA VEZ MÁS
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1108 Fort Street Mall Suite 9B • Honolulu, HI, 96813 • ​United States • Ph. +1 (917) 979-3441
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission and Philosophy
    • Video
    • Testimonials
    • Press
  • Donate
    • Local Business Sponsors
  • Participate
    • Classes and Workshops
    • Internships >
      • Job Descriptions
      • Apply Now - Summer 2022
    • Volunteer Opportunities >
      • Job descriptions
    • About Monteverde
  • Projects
    • Costa Rica >
      • Fiddler on the Roof 2017 >
        • Meet the Cast
        • Photo Gallery
      • Les Misérables 2016 >
        • Meet The Cast
        • Photo Gallery
      • Juego Malévolo 2015
      • The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 2014
      • It's A Wonderful Life 2013
      • In The Heights 2013 >
        • Meet The Cast
        • Photo Gallery
        • Sponsors
      • Once On This Island 2012 >
        • Why Once On This Island?
        • Photo Gallery
        • A Parent's Perspective
        • A Board Member's Perspective
        • Sponsors
      • Little Shop of Horrors 2011 >
        • Cast Spotlight
        • Puppetry
        • Volunteer Profile
        • Sponsors
      • Oliver! 2010 >
        • Why Oliver!?
        • Meet the Cast
        • Photo Gallery
        • Sponsors
      • Urinetown 2009 >
        • Why Urinetown?
        • Meet the Cast of Urinetown
        • From the Audience of Urinetown
        • Photo Gallery - Urinetown
      • Music Man 2007
    • China >
      • Photo Gallery - Fiddler
      • Alumni Update China
      • Future Plans China
    • Mozambique >
      • Workshop May 2009
      • Workshop February 2010
      • Workshop September 2010
  • Contact
  • En Español