Sondheim vs. ALW- Page 2

[jam_man]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 10:16pm

chrissly, while one half of me feels like hunting down and dissembowlling whoever said that, the other half is laughing.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 10:58pm

Let's start with accurate facts, huh? The original productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, and (I'm pretty sure) Company all made back their investments, as did Sweeney Todd once it went on tour.

I'm not an ALW fan, but tripe like Good Vibrations has given me perspective on him. I think he at least tries to be artistic, even if I don't care for the vast majority of his music. That said, if you want to see why people consider him to be fluff while Sondheim is considered genius- just read the lyrics. I realize ALW doesn't write his own, but the difference in those alone is immense. Another point is that Sondheim's shows actually have themes, while ALW's are just stories without too many layers behind them. Nothing wrong with that, but when you have less complexity you're not going to be considered as brilliant.

And finally, why do people keep framing things as a fight between the two? They certainly don't hate each other, and they've been able to coexist on a just fine on a professional level for decades.
Updated On: 9/11/05 at 10:58 PM

[jam_man]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 12:45am

There was just a new episode of this new cartoon on Cartoon Network's [adult swim] that reminded me of this thread.

It's called Stroker & Hoop, and it's about these two detectives in LA. If you like [adult swim] shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, as well as their other shows (Family Guy, Futerama, etc.), then you might like Stroker & Hoop. I did anyway.

Anywho, the episode was about the CIA putting chemicals in the water to make people like Ron Howard movies. Two CIA men were talking to Howard when they got paged and said, "Sorry, we need to check up on Andrew Llyod Webber." LOL!!!!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 1:06am

ha - i saw that jam_man.
Of course people will be doing Sondheim shows in the future, rather than Webber, not everyone can afford for a chandlier to fall from the ceiling, or the dancing abilities to pull off Cats. I agree they're both geniuses in their own right. Webber does seem to lean more towards the business side of things, but at the same time, some shred of artistic ability has to be in him for him to create WiW. I also like how Webber picks the most random subjects or themes to make shows about. (I.E. Starlight Express, Joseph, Cats).

[Plum]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 1:11am

Right, that's what makes me think Lloyd-Webber isn't a completely crass commercialist. (Is that a word?) Anyone who wants to make a musical out of T.S. Eliot poems probably isn't thinking of nothing but box office in the way as someone who wants to make a musical out of...oh, I don't know, Elvis songs.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 1:21am

yeah, I agree Plum. He goes for the obscure (sp?) rather than the money makers. If he wanted to make a sure fire broadway hit, he wouldn't make a musical about some chick from Argentina or a musical with a singing Jesus.

[Whiteguy2088]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:01am

I feel this is like a battle between P-Nut Butter and Jelly...Its nice to have a little of both...although too much Sondheim can get a little....overbearing

[jam_man]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 7:04am

Maybe that's why I only have Peanut Butter sandwiches and no jelly. Wow, it's art reflecting life reflecting art! Kind of... :)