I've noticed in many review type posts on these boards criticisms are particularly harsh on the "book" from current musicals. I'm curious about what others think are the best "books" (librettos) of musical shows (broadway, off-broadway or beyond)? And what constitutes a great book? Who historically do you consider the best "book" writer? I've been writing a book for a musical, which has been both a total pleasure and incredibly difficult!! (:
My own favorite book is James Goldman's "Follies" - I've read many criticisms of this particular book but I feel that it does it's job perfectly, letting us know who the characters are and serving as connective tissue to the brilliant songs. "Urinetown" has an exceptional book. "Jersey Boys" served it's story very well.
I'm one who enjoys the old books, too, and don't believe they need to be "updated" or made "politically correct". I esp. love the book of "DuBarry Was a Lady" - I've never understood how it is that we can love old movies, and not demand they change their dialogue, but can't seem to wrap our minds around loving old books of musicals (they are always criticized as "outdated", blah blah blah)
GYPSY (probably my favorite) FOLLIES SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE A CHORUS LINE CAROLINE, OR CHANGE PASSION THE KING & I CURTAINS GREY GARDENS
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Such a strong book, with clear, distinct, and hilarious characters. The Sara Jane Moore-Squeaky Fromme scene is one of the funniest things to ever grace the stage in a Sondheim musical.
Plus, it really makes you think. It does a great job of presenting alternate viewpoints.
Other good books are three winners of the Tony for Best Book, they're all very good: Spelling Bee, Drowsy Chaperone, Producers
Into the Woods? Really? I've always seen a huge problem in the fact that the show seems to be (or at least in part) about the consequences of your actions, and yet the "happy" ending happens when they decide to kill the giantess. So she comes down because they killed her husband and the answer is to kill her in turn? Bad plotting, I say.
Gypsy. It's perfect. So is Little Shop of Horrors.
I love love love Company's book infinitely more than the music.
Same :)
and I love the book for Bare as well. I think it's incredibly well written, with very well developed characters.
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.