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ALW vs. Sondheim

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#1

ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:15pm


Soo..the big broadway debate of the ages continues
Who do you prefer- Andrew Lloyd Webber or Stephen Sondheim?

Or are you part of the very small minority (which includes me) who appreciates both writers for their talents?
"No two shows are alike in the making. Each show is a living piece of your life in a small unreal world with its own character and integrity; its own new set of memorable experiences and incredible happenings. You begin to love and adapt to its strangeness. Dreams harden into substance. Values come into focus. You wish it would never end. The dream world vanishes like mist before a rising sun; part of you vanishes with it. And back you land in the real world with a thud- fogged, uneasy, jittery, difficult to get along with. There is only one cure. A new show. A new, small unreal world; new visions, experiences, incredible happenings. Again you love it, adapt to it, wish it would never end. But end it does. Another part of you vanishes. That's show business."-Anonymous
#2

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:16pm

Even though I adore Joseph...Dreamcoat, I'd take Sodheim over ALW anyday.
http://avdagen.blogspot.com/
#3

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:16pm

I actually do like both, but I prefer Sondheim. He is so clever. Love it.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
#4

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:17pm

Sondheim: yesterday, today and tomorrow.
#6

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:17pm

i like bits and pieces of ALW. but WAY prefer Sondheim
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
#7

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:17pm

Sondheim has written some lovely, creative, and breathtaking music as has Andew Lloyd Webber. I'd have to go with Sondheim but with ALW very, VERY close behind.
#8

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:19pm

ALW has his brilliant moments, I will admit. But I much prefer Sondheim.
#9

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:20pm

Thenardier, it's really not -- there is, has been, and always will be a clear winner.
#10

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:20pm

ALW- i can't help it...i grew up with him- from jesus christ superstar to...*deep breath* starlight express...
"talent is wanting something hard enough to work for it" - my drama teacher :)
#11

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:24pm

Sondheim.
#12

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:24pm

Sondheim all the way. The only ALW show I like is JC Superstar. All his 80's stuff is just so....80's :0)
-Anyone want to turn anarchist with me?

"Bless you and all who know you, oh wise and penguined one." ~YouWantItWhen????
#13

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:25pm

Sondheim has muscialized stories that one would have thought could not have been musicalized. That his shows have not always been well attended in no way detracts from his unsurpassable artistic achievements.
#14

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:29pm

Both have their moments, but I perfer Sondheim.
"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve
#15

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:34pm

as far as shows go, sondheim wins hands down. ALW has some good songs, and his songs work much better out of context. but i will forever favor sondheim....he is just a million times more talented....
#16

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:34pm

Sondheim, hands down!
What the puck?!
#17

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:36pm

I love POTO but Sondheim wins in my book.
#18

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:40pm

No contest. Sondheim is the BE ALL AND END ALL
"Not a day goes by..."

Updated On: 6/12/05 at 10:40 PM

#19

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:52pm

As much as I love Phantom, I prefer Sondheim by a mile.
#20

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 11:01pm

S to the ONDHEIM
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
#21

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 11:02pm

ALW will always be my guilty pleasure but I much prefer Sondheim.
David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel
#22

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 11:09pm

There are a lot of closet ALW fans on this board i'd suspect. It's just not 'cool' to be a theatre fan and like ALW i'd guess. Both composers have brilliant moments. ALW has been more commercially successful, but Sondheim has won more praise from critics and theatre fans. Webber tends to write lush melodies and his shows often include dazzling effects. Sondheim tends to write shows where the music is the focus. I don't know that it makes him better though. I can honestly say, that in my 16 years of theatre-going (i'm 26), I've been more entertained overall by Webber.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
#23

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 11:15pm

I prefer ALW's scores and Sondheim's lyrics. ALW write beautiful and heartfelt melodies, and Sondheim is a lyrical genius.
#24

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 11:23pm

ALW, way better than Sondheim in my opinion. Phantom of the Opera was the first musical I ever heard, and it scared the daylights out of me. My uncle used to play it when I was about four, and he would turn all of the lights off so I got really frightened. Later on, I listened to his stuff, and realised how beautiful it is. Sondheim really doesn't do anything for me, I am not as emotionally attached to his work.
#25

re: ALW vs. Sondheim

Posted: 6/12/05 at 11:24pm

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

Updated On: 5/9/06 at 11:24 PM

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