Sarah Brightman/Ann Crumb as Rose in Aspects of Love

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=938666

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=896515

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=889200

---

You know , I was just thinking of making up a thread about this. Because I know what the cast recording sounds like-- but I heard from an interview (unless I misunderstood) that there was a nude scene? And I don't know if there's any truth to that, but I was really curious, because I don't really think of the phrases "ALW musical" and "nude scene" going together...

---

I dont remember the nude scene at ALL!!!

This is one of the very few ALW pieces that I truly love. (Which is why it was a disaster: his regular fans pretty much hated it!)

I loved the intertwining of the love stories. If it were to be revivied, I think it would be much better rec'd today.


EDIT: Saw the B'wy Version

---

Updated On: 12/21/08 at 03:28 PM

Well, I saw a video of an interview with Michael Ball on a Certain Site where he implied that HE was naked (and as much as I love Michael Ball, um, the thought of him naked onstage kind of makes me want to vomit). He was saying something like, "I don't mind if they see my... bits... but it's just the fat bits that I'm concerned about" and talked about how he went to the gym, hurt terribly the next day, and said "Well, I'm never doing that again." o_0 Maybe this was something in the Pre-West End tryout that they decided to change later or something?

---

There is no nude scene and the lesbian scene amounts to little more than a kiss. There are several gorgeous melodies in the score, but many of the lyrics are pathetically dull. The book never draws you into this tangled web of lovers and at two hours 45 minutes it overstays its welcome. The friend I went to see the show with dubbed it "Aspects of Trash."

---

Well, I saw a video of an interview with Michael Ball on a Certain Site where he implied that HE was naked (and as much as I love Michael Ball, um, the thought of him naked onstage kind of makes me want to vomit).

Wasn't he also in the London production of Passion? I've always wondered whether or not they staged the opening number the same way it was done on Broadway.

Though I was totally in love with Ann Crumb from the recording, I saw Sarah. She was excellent, but for me I think it was the sheer joy of seeing Sarah live. I will forever love "Hand Me The Wine and The Dice"....great ALW song and great staging. Wow...that was my junior year of high school...I don't want to think about that anymore.

I will say that I enjoyed the tour that I saw at the Kennedy Center much more. Less cluttered and a uniformly great cast....if not a little more esoteric in the concept.

"Ann Crumb looked pretty. Sarah Brightman just helped this stinkeroo close faster"

Not only your cheap 50 cents are inappropiate and uncalled for, but they are also not accurate, since Sarah helped keep the show open after Ann Crumb left. The actress that took over the role of Rose was Elinore O'Connor and she was the one that performed on closing night. Get your facts right dahling.

---

You need help! =)

---

I have a massive soft spot for Aspects. Yeah the book can be silly (but I like soap operas so doesn't bug me :P ), some awful lyrics, and Love Changes Everything is an overdone bloated song. But most of the music I think is gorgeous, some of ALW's loveliest and I love the kinda melancholy tone of the whole piece.

I became obsessed with it when I was 9 or 10--shortley after I found the tape at the library (I had just seen the tour of Phantom and was briefly Phantom obsessed--my love for Aspects lasted a lot longer though). Then, since I lived in Edmonton, I saw the premier at the Citadel there of Robin Phillips's revised production. It was a big deal, Lloyd Webber came to town, and I remember thinking ti was amazing. Everythign was done very simple with vague sets and a lot of white on a small stage. I wish I could remember more (I have the souvenir program for the later tour of it--it's THIS production that then went on to tour N America, eventually with Sarah Brightman as Rose, though I didn't see her). At the time I thought there were small changes made to the score, but now I can't be sure.

From the Aspects book it looks like Maria Bjornson's original designs were, as expected from her, absolutely gorgeous but the production was probably too large for the story. ALW was in a tough spot at the time as he was known for HUGE spectacle and here was this small intimate show. It sounds like the production was too big for the story--though it did have a moderate run in London (ultimately without profit though) but of course flopped on Broadway.

Anyway for all tis flaws, I admit to shamelessly loving the show and especially the score. I know it was touring in yet another production in England the past few years but can;'t find any pics or anything.

ASPECTS OF LOVE is my favourite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical - the score is gorgeous, lyrical, and achingly romantic. I had read the novella (by David Garnett, of the Bloomsbury Group known for their rather bohemian lifestyles) on which this tale of entertwining loves was based and that made it easier to appreciate the relationships.

I was lucky to have seen the show both at the West End and on Broadway. The major leads were brought in from London to perform on Broadway, except for the young lady who played Jenny ( a pity because the casting in London was perfect). The team of Michael Ball, Ann Crumb, Kevin Colson and Kathleen Rowe McAllen was a gorgeous singing team! And if you're a fan of Michael Ball, his voice was in glorious form!

A few years ago, I had seen a much lighter revival, and the musical score continues to charm.

Brightman had just a limited engagement.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6DB1E30F935A1575AC0A966958260

---