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, ethnic cast and subject matter, and sheer ambition make Pacific Overtures a unique and worthwhile effort for any theatre, large or small, that is looking for a challenge.

Full SynopsisMaterials and Orchestration

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
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    8 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    Dm
    Estimated duration
    11 min 55 sec
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    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
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    2 min 4 sec
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    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
  • NEXT
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS (FEATURED SOLOS)
    Starting Key
    Bb
    Estimated duration
    5 min 39 sec
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    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
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Estimated duration
    0 sec
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Lyrics by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    Instrumentation
    Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute), Reed 2 (Flute, Clarinet), Reed 3 (Clarinet), Reed 4 (Oboe), Reed 5 (Bassoon), 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, 1 Harp, 2 Percussion, (16) Violin, (7) Viola), (6) Cello, (5) Bass, 6 Vocal Books, 2 Piano-Conductor Scores
  • PRETTY LADY
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    3 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    4 min 13 sec
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    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")
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    CONCERT/SYMPHONIC ARRANGEMENT (INSTRUMENTAL)
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    4 min 13 sec
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Arranged by
    SEBESKY, DON
    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
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    4 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    Eb
    Estimated duration
    11 min 59 sec
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    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
  • SUITE OF DANCES FROM "PACIFIC OVERTURES"
    From
    PACIFIC OVERTURES
    First Performance Fee:
    $300
    Each Additional Performance:
    $150
    Type
    SYMPHONIC SUITE
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    Em
    Estimated duration
    42 min 25 sec
    Music by
    STEPHEN SONDHEIM
    Arranged by
    BROHN, WILLIAM D.
    Instrumentation
    1 Flute (Shakuhachi, Alto Recorder), 1 Flute 2 (w/piccolo), 1 Clarinet (Bb/A) 1 Clarinet 2 (Bb/A), 1 Bass Clarinet, 1 Oboe 1, 1 Oboe 2, 1 English Horn (Bass Oboe, Oboe), 1 Bassoon, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn 1, 1 Horn 2, 1 Horn 3, 1 Horn 4, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 9 Violin 1, 8 Violin 2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 2 Percussion 1&2, 1 Percussion 3 (Timpani), 1 Piano/Celeste, 1 Harp, 1 Conductor Score

Show Essentials

Book by
John WeidmanJohn Weidman
Music and Lyrics by
Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim
Additional Material by
Hugh WheelerHugh Wheeler
Full Billing

Songs

The Advantages Of Floating In The Middle Of The Sea

There Is No Other Way

Four Black Dragons

Poems

Welcome To Kanagawa

Someone In A Tree

Please Hello

A Bowler Hat

Pretty Lady

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