Profile for homeimp

I personally don't care much if a song moves the plot forward, as long as it's a great song with a memorable melody and strong/clever lyrics. Do R & H's songs really move the plot forward? I mean really? I think it would be difficult for any competent music theater writers to write a song that neither advances the plot nor establishes character. But that's me.

One of the most indefensible Tony awards in my opinion was Christine Ebersole's win for 42nd Street over Marla Schaffel. No comparison. I also strongly agree that Robert Cuccioli should have won for Jekyll & Hyde over James Naughton.

As far as I know BIlly Elliot remains the only Tony winning Best Musical not to be given a cast recording. The marvelous cast deserved it. I also vote for the original Toronto cast of Godspell. Never to be equalled

I have been to London and indeed they do serve ice cream at intermission. I also remember having to wade through a mass of ice cream containers on the floor to exit the theater. I can verify that the ginger ice cream was wonderful. However, I go to a show to see a show, not to eat and drink. If I go to a restaurant I don't demand a Bdwy show to be performed as I eat.

Oh, well...the modern world!

I believe critics have place so much emphasis on "songs that advance the plot" that the the songs are so rooted in the show they cannot be pulled out of the show to become standards.

I saw the revised minimalist/actors playing instruments production of SB that was highly praised in London. It didn't seem bloated at all. I also enjoyed the Broadway production. I can't imagine a musical based on one of the all time classic films being described as illiterate. A large proportion of the dialogue came right from the Billy Wilder movie, simply one of the greatest films of all time.

The CD costs$25 Cdn plus tax at the Avon Theatre where it is playing. In US funds that would currently be about $20 US plus tax.

I saw a production of London Road twice at CanStage in Toronto. There was a dazzling cast of Canadian performers, well-known to Toronto audiences. The show itself was unique and thought-provoking. This was the first production outside of London UK. I'm not sure how well it would lend itself to film, but I would certainly go to see the movie. I don't know how the actors ever learned this music. It was an enormous task, especially given that the musical only had a 2-3 week run.

I have found that at times Terry Teachout reviews shows from a political perspective rather than for their artistic merit.