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Would you let you DD do this?

10 replies

almostabutterfly · 16/01/2010 17:08

Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but I'd appreciate your opinions.

My 8-year-old DD goes to a small drama/singing class for 7-11-year-olds and they are putting on a show in the spring time. We just got the script and it seems to be a play incorporating songs from Joseph to Take That to the Spice Girls to ABBA etc.

My daughter has been cast in a scene in a jazz club (the lead has travelled back in time) as Velma and has to sing a solo of "All That Jazz". Am I being paranoid that this is too "sexy" for a child to sing (given the lyrics of "I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down" and "she's gonna shimmy 'till her garters break")? All I can see is Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago and look at my DD and think if not .

The class is lovely and run by a really nice couple and I haven't spoken to them yet about my concerns and it may be that they picture it totally differently to how I do.

Thought I'd put it out to other parents first; so, would you let your DD do this? Thanks.

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CirrhosisByTheSea · 16/01/2010 17:22

I think your daughter will experience it within the stage of development that she's at, she won't understand any undertones so I don't think it would harm her in the slightest

However, it is a very adult song so I would want to ensure that the costumes, and the moves she is expected to do, were age appropriate and tastefully done. If too adult in tone then I wouldn't hesitate in saying it was not appropriate for my child.

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almostabutterfly · 16/01/2010 19:23

Thank you for your response Cirrhosis. I think you are dead right: DD is utterly oblivious to the adult connotations of the song and just really enjoys singing it. I will speak with the class teachers to allay any fears in terms of costumes and dance routines and will pull the plug if I'm unhappy. Thanks again.

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islandofsodor · 17/01/2010 20:23

We have used that song in the past but the minimim age of the children in it were 13.

I would be concerned at whether the group has permission to use these songs inthis way. Usually the rights holders of shows such as Joseph and Chicago will not allow you to use their songs in a dramatic context or even wearing costumes that suggests the original.

I have known shows to be closed down because of this issue.

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MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 19/01/2010 16:14

I agree with Cirrhosis. If there is to be any actual age-inappropriate shimmying, you should pull the plug.

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princessparty · 21/01/2010 10:36

I would ask for the lyrics to be changed slightly

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mumblecrumble · 23/01/2010 03:45

crikey.

We're doing a song from the shows at our 6th form college and I;ve wondered the same. i have changed a few words.... Don the saem with some grease songs too.

Tallulah from Bugsy would be much better....

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thirtypence · 27/01/2010 05:52

I just don't agree with getting 8 year olds to sing adult songs - because that song is written for a woman's voice and any attempt to imitate that is potentially damaging.

Making sure it's in a correct key for an 8 year old girl with an appropriate costume (maybe some sort of tux with a bowler hat thing so not at all sexy)) and changing some of the words may placate me as a musician and parent - but by the time you have done all that you could have just gone with another song.

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Strix · 27/01/2010 20:02

I wouldn't like it either. I would want an adjustment to the lyrics and age appropriate dress as well as moves.

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ToccataAndFudge · 27/01/2010 20:06

Cirrhosis agree with your post.

I remember singing along to grease songs as a kid - but hadn't listened to it for years.......until I took my DS's to a Grease sing-a-long night and was @ some of the words.............but then I realised just like I had no idea what the words meant and the connotations when I was a kid - neither did they.

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almostabutterfly · 27/01/2010 22:24

Thank you all for your input on this. I considered asking the teachers to re-write the words, but in the end decided to pull the plug on my DD singing this song altogether.

It is early on enough in the planning stages to not have caused too much disruption, and DD is not at all bothered and will be given another song to sing. Not sure what I'll do when she comes home tomorrow singing, "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was HOT like me" or something similar...