Pacific Overtures

Pacific Overtures
Two friends caught in the inevitable winds of change tell of Japan's painful and harrowing Westernization.

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman (authors of Assassins) mix elements of Kabuki theatre with the conventions of the Broadway musical in Pacific Overtures, a highly original, inventive, powerful, educational and surprisingly humorous theatrical experience. Considered by many to be the artistic pinnacle of the legendary Sondheim/Prince collaborations, this exploration of culture and imperialism pushes the boundaries of musical theatre further than ever before.

Commodore Matthew Perry's 1853 mission to open trade relations with isolationist Japan through gunboat diplomacy forges an unlikely friendship between the samurai, Kayama, and the Americanized fisherman, Manjiro. Kayama and Manjiro – and all of Japanese society – must face the wave of Westernization that follows.

Its epic scope, subject matter, and sheer ambition make Pacific Overtures a unique artistic opportunity for any theatre, large or small, that is looking for a challenge.

Concert Selections for Pacific Overtures

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • CHRYSANTHEMUM TEA
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    8 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    Dm
    Estimated duration
    7 min 15 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone, 2 Horn 1&2, 6 Cello, 7 Viola, 17 Violin AB, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 1 Harp, 2 Piano Conductor, 1 Keyboard, 8 Chorus books

  • MARCH TO THE TREATY HOUSE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    1 min 24 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1(Piccolo), 1 Reed 2(Flute), 1 Reed 3(Clarinet), 1 Reed 4(Oboe), 1 Reed 5(Bassoon), 2 Trumpet 1&2, 2 Horn 1&2, 1 Trombone, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion 1&2(Bells, Drum Set) 1 Violin, 1 Viola , 1 Cello,1 Keyboard, 1 Harp, 2 Piano/Conductor

  • First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS (FEATURED SOLOS)
    Starting Key
    BFile:Flat.svg
    Estimated duration
    3 min 39 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Piccolo, 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 2 Horn 1&2, 2 Trumpet 1&2, Trombone, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion 1&2, 1 Harp, 1 Keyboard, 2 Piano Conductor, 25 Chorus books

  • PLEASE HELLO
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Lyrics by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    9 min 13 sec
    Instrumentation
    (2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (6x) VOCAL BOOK, (1x) REED 1 (Piccolo, Flute), (1x) REED 2 (Clarinet, Flute), (1x) REED 3 (Clarinet), (1x) REED 4 (Oboe), (1x) REED 5 (Bassoon), (2x) HORNS 1 & 2, (2x) TRUMPETS 1 & 2, (1x) TROMBONE, (2x) PERCUSSION 1 & 2 (Drum Set, Timpani, Bells, Tam Tam, Temple Blocks, Wood Blocks, Triangle), (1x) KEYBOARD (Tacet), (1x) HARP, (16x) VIOLIN, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
  • PRETTY LADY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    3 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    2 min 53 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute, 1 Alto Flute, 1 Eng.Horn, 1 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Horn 1&2, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Harp, 2 Piano Conductor, 3 Chorus books

  • PRETTY LADY ("SYMPHONIC SONDHEIM")
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Arranged by
    SEBESKY, DON
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (Instrumental)
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    2 min 53 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 1 Piccolo, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Clarinet 3, 1 Bassoon 1, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 English horn, 1 Horn 1, 1 Horn 2, 1 Trumpet, 9 Violin 1, 8 Violin 2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Full Score, 1 Harp, 1 Celesta

  • SOMEONE IN A TREE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    4 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    E♭
    Estimated duration
    7 min 19 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute 1, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 2 Oboe(English horn), 1 Bassoon, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Horn 1, 1 Horn 2, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Percussion 1, 1 Percussion 2, 2 Piano Conductor, 1 Keyboard , 1 Harp, 4 Chorus books

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