Why Do Junior Musicals Exist! | REACTION

Hey friends! It's been a while! I've been busy with a junior version of a show at a school. I'm not a fan of junior versions because they often ruin the original work. For example, "Into the Woods Jr." cuts key parts and ends on a positive note, which I dislike.
Currently, I'm working on "Schoolhouse Rock Live" Jr., and the writing is just bad. Emphasis is misplaced, making it awkward to perform. Kids deserve high-quality writing too. Despite my dislike for tracks, I acknowledge their role in modern performances. Hope you're all doing great.
#TheaterTalk #JuniorMusicals #BadWriting #QualityInArt #MusicalTheater #TracksInPerformance #CreativeRant
✅ Don't Forget to Subscribe:
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and ring the bell icon so you never miss an update on latest content.
✅ Follow Me:
WEBSITE | bit.ly/2ODxfqc
SPOTIFY | spoti.fi/2z4rAVm
SHEET MUSIC | www.musicnotes.com/l/Kevin-Lynch
APPLE MUSIC | apple.co/2TbgPcj
SOUNDCLOUD | bit.ly/2kExkB6
ALL LINKS | linktr.ee/kevinlynchnj

[@erikmcginnis3804]

Anytime Kevin releases a video, my blood pressure goes down, as I am just so happy someone understands my frustration with MT sometimes🤣🙏

[@MiddlesexBD]

That particular show is not bad because it’s a Junior version. Thats how the original songs were written back in the day. The songs were played on Saturday morning cartoons to try to educate kids while they were locked into the TV on Saturday Mornings

[@josephst.george7841]

Junior musicals were fun until a certain age

[@revitalisestudios1930]

Shrek Jr is a perfect example of this. I love the music of the original and omg it’s been ruined

[@KevinLynchNJ]

Shrek Jr. is terrible!!!!

[@paulbowler8884]

I totally agree with your comments. My niece is in a junior version of Annie and it has been an interesting experience listening to the Junior version compared to the original. Also, I love your videos!!! I look forward to them whenever I see the notification pop up!

[@SpiritKitten]

I had almost all the schoolhouse rocks on vhs when I was little. I was singing them all the time. It's how I learned my multiplication tables and basic US history and grammar. The songs were fun! They do not need to be made into a stage play! It was a fun way for kids to learn! That's all!

[@KevinLynchNJ]

I remember Just a Bill!! It helped me to learn how US government works

[@alibhg3063]

Did you see the SNL version? LOL that was hysterical.@@KevinLynchNJ

[@Wolfmyth100]

I still sing my five times tables to the tune of 'Ready or not"...thanks 'Big Kid'

[@asumkitty7648]

A track can never replace a live orchestra for me and I feel like a lot of other people would say the same

[@KevinLynchNJ]

I agree. However, most film scores and TV shows use a hybrid or sometimes all sampled instruments.

[@Thegreatarrowguard12]

I don't think 6th grade year old me could've handled performing the full Into the Woods but GET THEIR AAAAAAAAASS!!!!!

[@c.w.r.794]

MTI needs to fix their shit. Not just with the Junior musicals- which are just watered down versions of the original shows, but also with some of the stuff in their shows for adults. The Alan Menken Christmas Carol sheet music is just all over the place! Wrong key, wrong notes, lyric changes between the dialogue section and the music in the back pages, etc. it’s a mess.

[@KevinLynchNJ]

The Alan Menken Christmas Carol sheet music I also believe has a reindeer drawing somewhere in the parts.

[@austinanthony2880]

I totally agree with everything you said. I have a bit of disdain for junior musicals. I think the worst example has to be the junior version of Sister Act. Now, Sister Act is already one of my least favorite shows, but the junior version made things worse. Particularly with how they mention nothing of the murder at the beginning, and the thugs don't even use guns at the beginning. I get that it's supposed to be for kids, but it just feels half-baked, and once you notice it, you can't unnotice it. And this is why I'm praying that they don't make junior versions of anything like Six or Beetlejuice. I'd dread to imagine a junior version of songs like Get Down or Say My Name. Lol. Great video as usual.

[@KevinLynchNJ]

Imagine PHANTOM Junior?!?

[@austinanthony2880]

Oh God, don't put that in my head! Lmao. Also, the reason I brought Six up is because I actually just saw the closing show of the US Tour performance of that show in my hometown last weekend. It was so fun!

[@SpiritKitten]

​@KevinLynchNJ what if there was a Chicago Jr???😅

[@finleyforevermore]

​@@KevinLynchNJ"Point of No Return" would probably be cut altogether-

[@MusicalMe]

Sorry to tell you there is a Six teen edition and Beetlejuice JR

[@firestarhk3875]

So I love Schoolhouse Rock and I think for the show they took lyrics directly from the TV specials from the 70s/80s The for-stage plot about a teacher on his first day being comforted by the characters that sing the songs is a little cheesy imo but also fun and perfect for kids. There’s a Schoolhouse Rock sequel now called Schoolhouse Rock Too and it’s set in a diner? I can understand not wanting to reuse the exact same plot from the first but at least make it relevant to school - like maybe one of Tom’s students grows up and teaches or something. I don’t know. I think it’s a fun show to adapt for the stage but also hard to adapt something like that And junior versions are great for kids like people have already said but when you’re cutting important plot out to make it shorter or more appropriate…maybe reconsider the show to do?

[@golvic1436]

You think Junior Musicals are bad... There is a whole industry of Christmas plays that are... Oh, man. Like people charge money for this shit and it's like a bad version of a Hallmark movie with songs so bad it makes that School House Rock song look like Defying fucking Gravity. I am teaching myself how to write music becuase I refuse to sit though another Christmas play my kids are in where I contemplate the most elaborite and painful torture to subject myself to and have it be worse than having to finish watching these plays. I have yet to come up with anything. These things would be a war crime if you forced POWs to perform them. I already have written plays and screenplays so I have that skill down. Turns out I love the music writing process. Still struggling with lyrics but it's worth it to avoid having to sit through shit squared again.

[@alibhg3063]

The lyrics you were saying are same lyrics from the show Schoolhouse rock from the 70s and musical tone too. They didn't change anything there. They took it from the tv series basically.

[@Pretzils1031]

I like Junior musicals, in that they're a good for younger kids who don't have the ability to do the full versions of the shows, but still allows them to do those shows in some capacity. That being said, they're terrible. Fine for kids to perform, but god awful in any other context. Seeing a junior show is never a good time, aside from seeing the kids having fun.