Broadway Composers You Dislike — Page 2
Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:54pm
Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:56pm
But I dislike Schwartz a lot. Othrer than Wicked, don't really like anything! And not a big fan of Sondheim either, but I can usually find something I like about the majority of his shows...
Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:59pm
Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:01pm
There is no composer that I truly can't stand. All of them have something to offer, the problem is some just can't offer enough to make a decent score. Ha
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:23pm
Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:35pm
There is nothing wrong with his melodies, he knows how to steal from the masters (Puccini, et al.) effectively. But the man has NO understanding of where to place songs, or how to use music to enhance the dramatic effect. He (purposely?) chooses weak lyricists so he can plaster his name -alone- over the show's title. (He's even plastered his name on the incoming SOUND OF MUSIC revival.) He has taken some properties which should have made excellent musicals (SUNSET BLVD, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND) and turned in sloppy hack work...in the case of the former, recycling dozens of trunk songs that didn't even sound like they belonged in the same score.
His shows have become theme park attractions with about as much substance as carnival candy floss.
And it burns me to read comments from some of the younger members here who think PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and CATS are great musicals.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Posted: 2/18/08 at 8:04pm
Webber...although, I actually don't mind Evita so much. Interestingly enough, my friend who practically worships ALW hates Evita...go figure.
I'm not a huge Schwartz fan, either.
Posted: 2/19/08 at 2:36pm
and, i HATE to say it, but the Elton John/Tim Rice thing is sooo cliche and repetative.
don't get me wrong, i generally love the productions their music is in, but i think a lot of their stuff sounds the same
Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:19pm
Ricky Ian Gordon (though he's Off-Broadway)
Mel Brooks
And I'm not a huge fan of Irving Berlin. For me, he's hit-or-miss.
If I'm not mistaken, Webber produced the Sound of Music revival in London, which would account for his name plastered on it, just as other productions often feature the producer's names on posters, cast albums and in Playbills (often over the title). Though most of the internet advertising I've seen for Sound of Music rarely mentions Webber at all. Most often, they feature the new Maria beginning Feb 26, though I've never heard of her.
Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:21pm
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:27pm
Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:28pm
Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:32pm
Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:32pm
Webber
Lippa
Schwartz
LaChuisa (Not really...I do like him sort of, he just has to realize that you don't have to be uber serious when you're creating a dramatic musical. He's humorless, that's my problem with him.)
Mel Brooks
and...
(shoot me)
Irving Berlin
Posted: 2/19/08 at 4:00pm
And whoever wrote the scores for
a)Promendae
b)Catebury Tales
Both awful.
Posted: 2/19/08 at 4:17pm
Posted: 2/19/08 at 4:36pm
I think I listened to Promenade once. I don't remember a thing about the score.
Posted: 2/20/08 at 10:32am
Posted: 2/20/08 at 10:44am
Posted: 2/20/08 at 11:28am
Posted: 2/20/08 at 11:34am
Posted: 2/20/08 at 11:40am
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