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.

Full Synopsis Materials 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

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

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

From
Pacific Overtures

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

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
NEXT

From
Pacific Overtures

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS (FEATURED SOLOS)

Starting Key
B
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

From
Pacific Overtures

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

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

From
Pacific Overtures

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

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")

From
Pacific Overtures

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Arranged by
SEBESKY, DON

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (Instrumental)
A Concert/Symphonic Arrangement has been specifically written for use in a concert setting. Generally this means it features a larger, typical symphonic orchestration than what you may find in the show. It is meant to be performed without singers.

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

From
Pacific Overtures

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

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