Anyone Get the New Sunday in the Park CD Yet? — Page 2

Careful Spider, I bite fingers off.

I agree Patronus. I mean, you can only make so many exceptions. And I don't get the appreciate but don't like thing. Seems a bit shady.

Maybe I take this so seriously because more and more people seem to hate anything pre-1996.

Maybe I take this so seriously because more and more people seem to hate anything pre-1996.

I think it's probably a sign of the times. We are now in a society where if something doesn't capture our attention immediately than we can rule it out and move on to the next thing. Being so technologically advanced is fantastic, but I think it may be possible that we simply have too many options in this world that we don't take the time necessary to really start to appreciate things.

I think of it like this. The classic musicals are like a fine wine. It's an acquired taste and you really have to train yourself to appreciate it. A lot of the modern musicals are like a Cosmopolitan or a Midori Sour. It doesn't take a trained palette to enjoy or get buzzed by it. You just drink, drink, drink until the next designer musicals comes along.

ETA: Back on track...is the SITPWG actually available in stores other than Colony? I thought it had a late May release date.

Updated On: 5/13/06 at 12:08 PM

Well, thanks to the old movie Musicals I watched before I actually got into Broadway musicals (Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, State Fair, etc.) I LOVE classic musicals. In fact, I like them more than 60% of stuff that came out post 1970. But, like Stephen said, it's an acquired taste. What I don't get is that people bash "Fluff" musicals when a lot of the now "Classic" musicals were kind of fluff. Yes, some had social commentary in them, but others were just for good ol' fun at the theatre.

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There are many, many musicals that I consider fluff.

You're always first AW!

Naw, I don't mind Sondheim. I wouldn't call myself a HUGE fan of his, but I like Into the Woods and I really like Saturday Night. I just don't really go for Follies or A Little Night Music. But I love the new Sweeney recording and show. I would say I have a very broad taste. I'll listen to anything, but I don't know, I just don't like the way the people's voices sound. I'm sure I'll get flack for this, which is fine, but it wasn't what I grew up and it's not what I like to listen to. I guess I like the more contemporary stuff because that's what I'm use to. I wouldn't say I hate all musicals. It's just to me Oklahoma is so cheesy. And nothing against R&H, I understand what it was so popular and whatnot, but it's just not for me. And the difference between appreciating and liking is simple. I can appreciate why someone would like Oklahoma - I understand what it represents and what is has done for musical theater - but that doesn't mean I have to like it myself.

k.

Its a completely justified position to take as you have clearly listened to some golden age stuff and decided it wasnt for you. Just as personal tupence... I only got into golden age material over the last 2 years. Before that I was a missionary from on high for JRB, Lippa, Guettel and their progenitor, Mr Stephen Sondheim.

I totally get what you are saying about voice qualities too. There was of course a complete overhaul in our understanding of the voice as a physical science. Training as reflected this just as contemporary material is written to accomodate the extremes of the range. My preference though as for performers who 1. Nail the lyric 2. Nail the style- ie can sing legit AND pop/belt depending on context. However I find myself listening to more and more golden age material and struck by the sheer range of voices back then.

If Mary Martin was a twenty year old today I am sure she would be belting out Wicked while Barbara Cook would still be an ingenue if starting off today.

I say all this because it fascinates me to see the progression of musical theatre as an art/entertainment form. You *can* trace things back and see what led to x,y,z etc.

I still love all my contemporary material but the cast recording collection has EVERYTHING from the 90s onwards and really the only hidden gems are in hunting down the classics or not quite classics.

Kid, 1 kid.

I just ordered George & "It's Only Life" - Def. go to Psclassics.com now and get Sunday in the Park with George at the really low price. $14 for a 2-CD set is cheap.

I think its a good recording. It doesn't replace the OBC, which is pretty definitive, and I'm not quite sure why Jenna Russell adopts a Yorkshire dialect as Dot, but its well performed and I love the simplicity of the new orchestrations.

I heard recently that Roundabout may be bringing this production to New York, but it would feature an all American cast.

London shows don't do put out NEARLY as many production pictures. it's not unusual at all.

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Wait, last night I pre-orderd a SITPwG CD on Sam Goody's website and the album picture was the original album art. It said the release was may 30th. Am I getting the original or the London revival?

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