Sondheim Recordings Help — Page 2

Oh that reminds me, as I was leaving the Rent movie someone actually said this, I am not kidding:
girl: "Wasn't that Sondheim somebody?"
know it all boyfriend: "He was a Broadway actor a long time ago, I love how they put in those references most people wouldn't get."

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The way he said it made it classic, it was so "I know all about this Sondheim he was a brilliant actor."

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I just counted 20 Rent/Wicked-related threads on the MB--TWENTY! There was a thread on the MB asking why "we all" hated CATS. I don't hate CATS personally, but it began the decline in theatre the same way JAWS and STAR WARS ruined the film industry. Producers and writers are all gunning for THE MONSTER HIT, not just a good show that will run for a year and make back its investment. So many of them use familiar, bankable material and try to fashion the show to appeal to as wide an audience as possible and to do that, it has to be as broad and nondescript as possible. That's why seeing a play like THE PILLOWMAN is so thrilling because it's NOT for everyone, and neither is the new SWEENEY revival. It's nice to see a show that takes chances and refuses to try to be likable.

A woman said, "That was just the greatest thing ever, it was so good I almost left my shoe behind."

What does that mean? Is that the thing these days, leaving behind articles of clothing?

After the OBCs, I would add the Merrily revival, and a more complete version of Follies.


The Pillowman and the Swenney revival were such intense experiences, it fascinates me that I come out of those changed and provoked, yet most people refuse to even see them.

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Updated On: 11/25/05 at 12:06 PM

No, Bobby, you left those at my place.

Thank god for the off-topic board, indeed.
That said, will I be ostracized if I admit a distinct lack of fondness for the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein? I find their songs to be rather repetitive musically, emotionally and lyrically.
That said, I think Cole Porter is still the most genius lyricist of all time (with Sondheim pretty much tied there), Rodgers and HART were brilliant, and many other composers/lyricists who had far less hits than they would, sadly, be left unproduced were they writing today. I try to imagine Bernstein being produced anywhere except the Public today were he a contemporary composer. Can you? Thank god for places like that, and Lincoln Center, and the list goes on...

Oh, and to be on-thread, Aspirin, DEFINITELY go with the OBCs when you can. The only Sondheim recordings which I bought a revival cast first were Merrily (because it was the only one I could find at the time) and Follies (because I love Donna McKechnie and the Papermill recording was complete).
Avoid the revival Company (and the British Company) and go for that OBC. Dated, to be sure, but absolutely thrilling.

I am so annoyed at the "Stupid People At The Rent Movie" thread. How do people expect the general public to learn more about Broadway if they don't think they belong in the movie theater because they haven't seen the show, or memorized the OBC??

Most of the people on that thread have probably never even heard of Rodgers and Hart.

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and he was in a cage...i'm just sayin...

I think much of R&H is repetitive as well, but I also love alot of it too--especially Carousel & Okla!--not so much with Sound of Music. But at least you know who they are...

I was reading Mandelbaum's SWEENEY review and he said something about wanting to see a new SWEENEY because the other versions had been done and I think alot of its detractors are what I call "fixer-uppers," people who think, "Well, if I were directing this show..." and then go on as to what they'd change and somehow make it better. Alls I know is I WASN'T BORED...as I usually am--but I wasn't bored in Morning's At Seven either and it's about as mainstream as you can get.

K-I-D-S! That was sooooooooo my favorite show when I was a kid.

Stacy would make a kickass Charity!

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Stephen Schwartz?

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I know. Duh.

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My this thread has grown!

Well, back to the topic for a moment.

I know it's a crime to not have "Follies." There is no excuse I could pull out of Idina's ass that could pardon me. Wait, did I just say Idina? I meant mine. :-P

I think I'll probably decide on the OBCRs of Night Music, Whistle, Merilly, Pacific, and both Follies. I'll eventually pick up WSS or just burn it from a friend of mine.

Thanks for the heads up on the "Company" Revival. I have the OBCR of Company, Sweeney, Passion, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park (my favorite) and the revivals of Assassins and Forum. That's my Sondheim collection thus far. Any suggestions for more additions are greatly welcomed!

Okay, back to the threadjacking!

Hmmm, thanks for the suggestion. I'm not a huge fan of the show based on the revival recording, but maybe the OBCR would change that.