A Sneak Peek at 35MM: "The Ballad of Sara Berry"

A Sneak Peek at 35MM
Music and Lyrics by RYAN SCOTT OLIVER
Photographs by MATTHEW MURPHY
35MM is a multimedia "musical exhibition" in which photographic images inspire music and lyrics, and inversely music and lyrics inspire photographs.
"The Ballad of Sara Berry"
Performed by LINDSAY MENDEZ
With ALEX BRIGHTMAN, JAY ARMSTRONG JOHNSON, NATALIE WEISS
Piano PAUL STAROBA, Guitar MATT HINKLEY, Cello EMILY HOPE PRICE, Drums JEREMY YADDAW
Lights LEE TERRY, Sound SEAN HAGERTY
(Video by Shoshana Feinstein, taken at RSO AT URBAN STAGES, Dec. 16, 2009.)

[@Annelisesarah]

I feel like everyone who listens to this song automatically becomes obsessed with it. I am definitely one of those people. This song is so awesome.

[@norsegilr2280]

Same I freaking love this song 😍

[@LauM]

I'm 8 years late, but yes. This is such an earworm.

[@elred655]

I've had the whole musical on repeat for weeks now! It's just amazing

[@Sigrexio]

I'm 9 years later here, and yes, I became obsessed after one listening. Amazing song!

[@yannipika]

ME TOO

[@estherb5954]

omg they’re all babies. Alex looks so different without a beard also how did i not realize he was in this i literally saw him in Beetlejuice and i listen to this aLL THE TIME

[@deadgirlwalkingg]

damn! If you didn't leave this comment I wouldn't think it's Alex!

[@Leharfri]

I thought when I first heard the studio album, when he did that deep voice in "Spread round the school", that it sounded really similar to Beetlejuice. I guess I know now why.

[@ronibaron271]

Same!!!! Literally what I said to my partner when he introduced me to this musical

[@ronibaron271]

He looks like he's having so much fun tho omg

[@mastersprogram]

Exactly Me Recently 😭

[@bpdmachine777]

can’t believe this is 11 years old and still gorgeous

[@RufusTheBaptist]

Every time I hear this song I want it to be made into an entire movie!

[@rennarice3623]

Rouske Stellin this is literally 3 years late. But heathers and Carrie has a baby and mad this song

[@limegreen2322]

@@rennarice3623 this is 2 years later but i completely agree

[@KyrstOak]

Better yet, a whole musical.

[@FozzyForman]

The only proof that Lindsay Mendez is human and not some intense, alien robot made for BELTING OUR FACES OFF is her tiny little slip up at the end. She is the definition of beast.

[@ellerodriguez1441]

its because this song was written the night before this performance!! RSO said so in his interview :D

[@Wealiko10]

@@ellerodriguez1441 in that case she's still a fucking BEAST like damn, how, HOW???

[@ellerodriguez1441]

@@Wealiko10 I KNOW! I would listen to the spotify podcast thingy "35mm In Focus with RSO" ITS SO GOOD

[@1920jenny]

Alex Brightman is the cutest human being on this earth. So proud to be from his hometown!!!

[@thecharlesgrant]

I've heard this recording so many times and I'm just now realizing that I was listening to some of my favorite people!! Lindsay Mendez, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and Natalie Weiss all in one?! So good.

[@spencerbeckart]

This song will never be better than when these four sing it.

[@bethanyhovermale1184]

Can we just talk about the cellist who is absolutely ROCKING out?! Absolute queen.

[@effsap]

YES

[@anempathetichuman3426]

Did anyone notice that small little slip up at around 3:37 but like, Lindsey handled it like a boss and kept singing 😌

[@kingikiller]

They're all so young. And AMAZING.

[@SomeartistfromChile]

Lindsay and Alex give me life omfg-

[@alexeidarling]

It's been more than two years and I'm STILL not sick of this song. And now we're getting a studio recording. And I'll listen to it all the time.

[@musicprincess9747]

I find so many versions with this cast XD not complaining! I love them a lot, it's so enjoyable to watch.

[@notgoinnowhere]

Lindsay Mendez's voice continues to impress and surprise me each time I hear her sing. Fascinating actress and wonderful new compositions from RSO.

[@ChristopherCherry02]

Super random but Natalie Weiss is the cutest human being I love her.. I love how derpy she allows to be

[@musicprincess9747]

awww all of them are so cute here! Especially the three background, Jay, Nat, and Alex

[@greengal23]

I saw that show too and absolutely loved it. It was the first time that I had heard anything by Ryan Scott Oliver but I really enjoyed his music. And Natalie was amazing as was Megan and the rest of the performers

[@black_storm1113]

Alex Brightman is ABSOLUTLEY getting into it and it gives me life.

[@leahkinney2069]

This musical has absolutely phenomenal music. Can't stop listening. Can't stop loving. Come to the Twin Cities?

[@KatieRiley2]

i'm obsessed. i'm watching it again. for the fifth time in a row. this is AMAZING. for real, Lindsay KILLS this song! PHENOMENAL!

[@RazorRevenge]

Alex is a cute little baby 💜

[@Mirrorinmymindify]

It's really not okay how in love I am with this song.

[@belle4774]

Y’all this was posted 12 YEARS AGO and this song is still relevant

[@noreader]

I went to RSO Pasadena because I am a good friend of Eric Krop's mother. I'm so glad I did, because I not only discovered Ryan's music, but also Matthew's photography. And now they are doing a show together :)

[@Callumlore]

I love you Alexxx

[@Angel12068]

Today, i found out about this musical. And this was the first so i've listened to. This song is such a bop. And they look so young in this!.

[@JLangs22]

I love this, it's like Mean Girls and Jawbreaker!

[@wickedly4]

LINDSAYYYYYYYYYYY

[@sbort]

omg. this whole thing kicks such ass. but then 2:30 hit and i DIED. DIED. DIED. my GOD. JAM.

[@heavenlycrow3961]

It's so amazing to see the beginning and how they evolved to this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4StgX1_a7Fmhpo&ab_channel=NewMusicalTheatre I love the fact on how they all did the deaths in their own ways instead of Lindsay and them all doing it - also glad they added in the "what a bitch" part. LOL

[@effsap]

RIGHT YES

[@nicolegummyworms3623]

That high note🐸

[@effsap]

yes that f#5 is very delicious

[@MissBroadwayDork]

@sbort I loved the music and performances in the other one but couldn't understand the lyrics for the life of me. You can here!! So exciting!!

[@laylab17139]

The guy on the end is so into it omg

[@mikefergie14]

Matt you are ! And it's a good thing

[@roseface]

omg back again. i am SO INTO this song. gah.

[@noreader]

Love the new song. I saw Natalie at RSO in Pasadena.and she was great. The other performers are new to me, but they are all so talented!

[@Nick83115]

this is just a story right? it's not based on a true story or anything?..

[@natashabell4604]

Yeah. It's inspired from a photograph but it's all made up

[@PrincessAshley972]

funny enough, i saw a comment on another video where the person said a similar situation happened when their mom was in school. a girl lost a leg in a car accident and was named prom queen. but there was no murderously jealous girl in that one lol, everyone was a good sport

[@salem8228]

@@PrincessAshley972 Yh i saw that to. I was so scared that someone was about to tell us about how their mom killed 7 people.

[@bestimacho]

I need a version of this but just Jay and Alex, also with only female voices. I think those two options could be interesting...

[@yaddawj]

Yes! Special thanks!

[@bobbysilverstein3019]

Why is that picture different from the one will all the people crossed out in red marker

[@lottiegrey2003]

Did you ever find out?

[@musicprincess9747]

afaik, this is the original photo! as in, the one that inspired the song. then i guess matthew decided to take another, better looking picture (or set of pictures in this case) so it would look nicer for the show i guess. some of the other songs are like that too, like caralee, immaculate deception, twisted teeth, and i'm not sure with the rest.

[@roseface]

just brilliant.

[@MyOwnGuitarHero]

RYO for ALL the fucking awards.

[@Oxley]

they are my new form of addiction...

[@caterrachel]

I'm OBSESSED!

[@RyanScottOliver]

@Mirrorinmymindify Sure it is!

[@RilloBRS]

Can anyone please tell me about what 35MM is about?:D

[@broadway_y3698]

On a unicorn if I'm right this guy took photos and people made each photo it's own song Basically the show can teach us a picture is worth a million words.... But what about a song

[@Orange.Solace]

On a unicorn the musical has no real plot, it’s just a collection of songs

[@sitarita3]

ahhh, watch Jay's face. So funny/

[@patebrisee]

Anyone know which came first, the photograph or the composition?

[@chadfriedman8801]

patebrisee the pictures came first and songs were about the story of the pictures. (Wow this was 8 years ago... Well now you know)

[@hahachortle]

What's this song about? I love the beat and everything, but I really don't understand it that well. Can someone tell me?

[@zzz-nk7tr]

Tommy Hansana It's about this rich, popular girl named Sara Berry who wanted to be Prom Queen but Julie Jenkins recently got in an accident which made her more popular. She was so determined to win that she went insane and ended up killing all of the prom queen nominees on the night of prom but Julie called the cops before Sara could get to her. They arrested her and sent her to a mental hospital and she still thinks she's prom queen.

[@meat2023]

A-Fandom- A-Minute respect for replying to a 7 year old comment

[@patebrisee]

Hahahah I found the 4:22!!