Boring Sondheim Shows? — Page 5

So what are you thinking about when you see SWEENY TODD, that isn't happening right before your eyes? Why do you keep saying that his shows make you think? What does that mean, anyway? Don't you think when you see THE KING AND I or THE MUSIC MAN or THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, or any show, musical or otherwise? Whether I'm thinking or not, for Broadway kind of money, all I want to be is entertained; and, I'm not entertained by his music, or most of the shows he scores. And, I never said his shows were boring because they weren't melodic. I said his shows were boring AND they aren't melodic. The least I ask of from a musical, is a couple of good tunes. You need to stop thinking, and do more comprehending. Besides, unlike the Sondheim supporters, I've never said that you should feel the way I do. All I ever expressed were my feelings about his works, and have never implied that there was something wrong with the people who didn't share my viewpoint.

Yeah, but a show like Sunday purposely does not have a real plot. But a story really does evolve when you get into the show.
And COMPANY, well that show started it all! The first plotless broadway musical.

Anyway when I watch my Sunday DVD, I laugh, cry, and am very emotionally satisfied.

You may not find him to be that great. BUT many of us including plenty of theatre historians, critics, performers, etc.. really find him to be one of the greatest composers of all time.

And Johnboy, do you really find COMPANY not to be melodic? Come on. That sh*t is catchy!

Updated On: 6/23/06 at 11:52 PM

That is one thing that I have noticed from the "Sondheim is god" camp (I know you are out there) . . . it seems like people in this group bash others for their taste in music but get offended when the tables are turned. But, everyone can fit in this category, huh? And yes, it is ALL just a matter of tastes.

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As a big Sondheim fan, I think this is a really interesting thread, and that great points have been made by both sides. I might not agree with all of them, but they've been argued well enough. Thank you for your opinions, and for explaining them, JohnBoy and DG. When you're nuts about someone, it's hard to step back and look at them objectively. Stephen Sondheim is still my favorite musical theater composer, but he is not without his flaws.

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Well put, Color and Light.

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I didn't get any hostility whatsoever from your posts, DG. And I completely agree - with Sondheim fans, I think there is a bigger tendency for them to get defensive and mean when someone doesn't like his work. You certainly aren't doing much to convince people that your idol is so great when you go around staring down your nose at people for disagreeing.

My sister, who is my best friend, absolutely hates Sunday in the Park with George. I mean, really, really hates it. Sunday is one of my top three favorite shows, if not my all time number one. The amazing miracle is that life goes on! Imagine. I think there's only one composer in the Broadway pantheon whose work I truly dislike, and even then, I don't see much of a point in trying to make his fans feel stupid or have bad taste for liking him.

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Updated On: 6/24/06 at 12:16 AM

But . . . But . . . Satan made me do it!

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Sondheim only wishes he had giant lemons and Tourettes.

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Updated On: 6/24/06 at 12:24 AM

I make do with a giant case of Tourettes.

well, for one thing, it wouldn't have been nearly as good without Joe Brooks writing the score, book, lyrics, jingles, press release, synopsis, character breakdown, audition sides, etc.

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Or insanity - which may very well be the same thing.

Sunday isn't pretentious, though I see how it could be seen that way. Hell, again, I was in the "yawn" camp the first three times I watched it. It felt too structured to me, too ok, here we establish this, here we establish this, ect.

Pretentiousness (as I see it) writing about something you don't understand in an attempt to impress others.

Sunday, at it's core is actually very simple, and I think his most rewarding musical.

But then again, I'm also one of the wackos who prefers the 2nd act 2 the 1st (if one must choose).

Another thing I like about his work is very few people are "eh" about it. They seldom walk out of a show saying "that was nice, what's for dinner". There is debate, positive or negative and I think that's a lot more interesting.

Anyhow, not saying fluff is bad, but while everyone has a sweet tooth, once in awhile we want something hearty instead.

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