WHY ANDREW HOWIE THINKS ASSASSINS IS LIKE TV SHOW DEXTER

Ahead of Miranda Musical Society’s (NSW) production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Assassins at Sutherland Memorial School of Arts in June 2014, Musical Director Andrew Howie speaks to Stage Whispers.

Stage Whispers: Why did you want to do this show?

Andrew Howie: Sondheim is always a challenge as a musical director, especially when conducting his music from behind the piano.  Having musical directed and played in quite a few Sondheim shows (eg Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Into The Woods, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), I thought Assassins would be a fun challenge to take on.  I enjoy teaching the intricate melodies and rhythms to the cast because as a Physicist by day, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and like to make sure the cast are as true to the composer’s desires as they can be.  I have seen a couple of productions of Assassins and have always enjoyed watching it and reminding myself about those parts of American history that are conveyed.

SW: What is different about this show to others you have done?

AH: Miranda Musical Society has not taken on too many Sondheim productions.  They are a risk in terms of attracting an audience who will appreciate them.  The two shows that surround Assassins are Oklahoma! and Annie – both well-known bums-on-seats shows.  I like that the committee have taken on the risk of presenting something a bit different and not as well-known in between these two blockbusters.  Assassins will probably have one of the largest orchestras I have worked with in the small space of the Sutherland Memorial School of Arts – there will be 9 live musicians working hard at the back of the stage to support the talented cast and convey the dark atmosphere of the show. 

I see similarities in Assassins to the TV series Dexter.  In Dexter, despite your attempts to avoid it, you feel compassion for a murderer – you get an insight into the man and the reasons he does what he does.  Assassins is similar in that you learn a little bit about what might lead people to have that need to assassinate the President of the United States of America, whether it’s to improve the lives of your fellow countrymen or just to become infamous. In a 2-and-a-bit hour musical showing the stories of 9 different assassins, you can’t explore this to the same level as in an 8-season TV series, however you will see some of these thought processes coming through.

SW: What do you see as the challenges for producing this show?

AH: Musically, the biggest challenge is… well.. the music!  There is a broad range of musical styles with rollicking banjo numbers with a LOT of words for the Balladeer to get his mouth around, a beautiful duet, a quartet with a tricky a capella section, and of course all the usual difficult conversational numbers requiring intricate timing that Sondheim is so well known for.  If one person misses a cue it can throw the whole number down the drain. 

SW: What do you hope the impact of this show will be on audiences?

AH: I see this show as both an educational and entertaining night out.  Audiences will learn a little bit about a very interesting part of American history, but will also be drawn in by the comedic scenes and haunting music.  We have assembled a cast of very strong actors who can also sing beautifully! The voices in this cast are top-notch and I expect the audiences will be captivated from the moment they enter the theatre.

SW: Who should see this show?

AH: The show is probably not suitable for young children.  Anyone who is interested in an entertaining night out and wants to see something a little different from the standard boy-meets-girl musical should make the effort to check it out.

ASSASSINS

JUNE 13th - 22nd - SUTHERLAND MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF ARTS

Director - Garth Saville

Musical Director - Andrew Howie

Choreographer - Emma Paull

Bookings – www.mirandamusicalsociety.com.au

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