Andrew Lippa Question

I have started to wonder the same thing, actually. I didn't love Big Fish, but I disagree that the score is what did it in. I put the blame far more on direction and vision.

I hope that Lippa can write something successful soon to get past the critical schlump he is in.

I love his score for A Little Princess, but that never made it to Broadway. New York audiences didn't get to see the revised version of The Addams Family which I think was a lot better than the Broadway version and Big Fish will probably be revised and restaged and better recieved the second time around as well.

He's a writer of great potential.

The problem is, he's been that for nearly 15 years now.

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There are long-running shows with so-so scores, and there are flop shows that have had wonderful scores ('Merrily We Roll Along,' for one). But musicals are more than just their scores; there are so many factors in why they succeed or fail (i.e., book, cast, timing, source material). And just because a composer hasn't had a 'hit' musical, doesn't mean he/she isn't a wonderful writer. And conversely, having many hit musicals doesn't necessarily mean you're the best composer. By that measure, that would make Andrew Lloyd Webber the greatest one, right? As for Andrew Lippa, he's hardly the only writer who hasn't had a mega-hit yet. Michael John LaChiusa, anyone? I really enjoyed his latest one: an earthy score to 'Giant,' but even though this show didn't move to Broadway, it doesn't diminish my admiration for his work on it.

I happen to love Lippa's tunes to 'The Wild Party' and I think 'Big Fish' is arguably his best work since. For his sheer lyrical melodies alone, I'll take 'Be the Hero,' 'Stranger,' 'Time Stops,' 'Fight the Dragons' and 'I Don't Need a Roof' - all from 'Big Fish - over any other new showtunes I've heard this fall.

As armchair critics, it's easy for any of us to blithely judge the music of others. But watch this clip and hear Lippa play his tunes and show how much work goes into it.
Broadway.com: Andrew Lippa talks about and plays songs from 'Big Fish'

Well, that's your opinion. I thought his score was totally unmemorable. Except for that one song the wife sings in Act 2 there wasn't one song that made sit up in my sit and listen.

The problem is these aren't passion projects. He's just getting paid to write a score. I think Wild Party has some great melodies, but there are plenty of clunkers there too.

He's not a terrible writer or anything, but, as a friend said, he doesn't have a musical independence. I know a Sondheim song when I hear it, I know a Wildhorn song when I hear it, I know a LaChiusa song when I hear it, but Lippa, I don't get.

But, that said, look at Ahrens and Flaherty - they are well-known, sure, but they haven't had a "hit" ever. Doesn't make them bad either. Although, for some reason, their music always strikes me as "cheap" sounding.

I actually thought the score to Big Fish was very good. I enjoyed the 2nd Act especially. The problem for me is I don't remember the songs (since I saw the show almost 2 months ago in previews). If there was a cast recording I could refer to, it would make me (and I imagine a lot of people) love the show more and want to return to it. Overall, I think the show would have benefited if there was more promotion for the songs and the show had established its "signature" song (maybe Be The Hero or Fight The Dragons).

Personally, I think he's a great writer and found many riveting and tender moments (Daffodils, How It Ends, What's Next, Be The Hero). I hope the show is recorded.

I've heard that date also. Only problem is it's too late to save the show. I was really looking forward to this show becoming the big hit for Lippa. I only have listen to his score for Adams family which I believe the first act is brilliant songs are so catchy however it loses it's theme and memorabily in the second act. I wanted Big Fish to be a hit for him. It had all the makings of one. Stellar Cast and Director, Brilliant score material and pre-existing fans, along with the most amazing costume designer in recent times. But somewhere it lost its heart and had to close. I wish it at least could stay till after the Tonys. I know that's a long way away but it would get a few nominations and give some extra exposure to it. However that doesn't seem possible. It's sad really Lippa had worked really hard and like you said seems to be the new Wildhorn with critics.

I do think he has become the"easy scapegoat" for what goes wrong in a number of situations...and I think that's terribly unfair also. There is usually a lot more wrong with something that doesn't work.

I didn't love his score for Big Fish but I didn't walk out of the theater shaking my head at the music - as I did with some other aspects of the show - directing, vision, choreography, sound, etc. I know his Addams Family score has gotten a bad wrap - but again, I thought the choice of plot and parts of the script were much bigger issues that caused the show to be weak while there were a number of songs there that I loved.

I have not heard A little Princess music. Sounds like I should look it up.

1. Do you really think that a PROFESSIONAL can't handle criticism?
2. If he can't handle criticism, he wouldn't read threads.
3. No one is bashing him, but discussing his work. And, there are quite a few people here standing up for him.

4. The world is not lollipops and sunshine.

BTW.....I'm pretty much in the camp that his work is serviceable but immemorable. His name would neither get me to nor keep me away from the theater, but my expectations would not be high.

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"No one is bashing him"

Really? Here are a few quotes:

"Lippa has made no showing that he can draw anyone to his shows"
"He's a writer of great potential. The problem is, he's been that for nearly 15 years now."
"He is Mr Bland. Outside The Wild Party I can't think of 1 song I hear of his at auditions. He's just not ear-catching enough."

So tell me, how can the reader know whether an anonymous poster has auditioned for Mr. Lippa? Whether Mr. Lippa didn't hire him or her? Whether this is payback time?

Do I think a professional can handle criticism? Sure - when it's professional criticism. The way that works in print journalism is that a professional critic follows editorial standards and controls against bias and conflict of interest, and reveals his or her identity in the byline. When a chat board is anonymous, peoples' comments are constrained more by their consciences. How they use the opportunity they are given affects the reputation and worth of the chat board.

I have an idea: Maybe anyone who wants to criticize someone's total worth as an artist can reveal their identity and post their comments under a byline on Huffington Post. That way, the reader can evaluate the source, any bias or conflict of interest, and the merit of their opinion more easily.

'Nuff said.

I remember hearing his concert at 54 Below, and I couldn't remember one thing he sang. He said he was previewing his upcoming musical, Big Fish. And I was like "Really? These are the songs you chose?" They just didn't stick in my head, and they didn't have any musical placement. They were bland and they could be used for any number of musicals. I wish he had had some sort of musical theme in the show. Like, a musical tone that would work for the big adventurous stories, but then a more simplistic style for the "real moments." etc. But it all just sounded the same.

As for Adams Family.... not every darn character needs a song. There was no reason why Terrance Mann's character needed a song. That was just terrible.

One of the investors in Fish was a person you may have heard of - Jimmy Buffett

Mr Buffett has a fair amount of experience as a songwriter and a performer and should have a little more expertise in the area of song than we do as he has built a nice career writing and singing songs among other endeavors.

He thought enough of the show and scores potential that he invested in the show. He had confidence in Mr Lippa and that to me says a lot.

Years ago a really prolific songwriter Charles Aznavour penned a score called Lautrec for London audiences. He has written over 700 songs and is known as the French Sinatra. The critics were cool to him also. Seems to me the critics may be misguided having no idea what it takes to write a song - good/bad or indifferent.

I liked this a hell of a lot more than Wicked or Mamma Mia

Tell me how can a critic criticize something he is incapable of doing himself ?

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Updated On: 11/23/13 at 01:21 PM