Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington- Page 2

[theblackumbrella]

Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington#28

Posted: 6/11/26 at 4:40pm

I hope Ariana stays in the production. If she drops out, though, I wonder who a good replacement for Arianna might be. 

• Amanda Seyfried
• Anna Kendrick
• Denee Benton
• Sara Bareilles 
• Jessie Mueller
• Laura Benanti
• Philippa Soo

[kdogg36]

Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington#29

Posted: 6/11/26 at 5:10pm

Jarethan said: "Passionis a dirge, devoid of humor, and not a melodious song in the scoreIMO"

It's funny how I've had the opposite reaction to the score since I first heard the Broadway cast recording. I think it's filled to the brim with absolutely gorgeous melodies and harmonies, and that's why it's one of my favorite musicals despite the fact that it doesn't truly cohere as an effective union of story and song.

Full disclosure: the OBCR wasn't the first time I heard the score. I had seen a late preview of the original production and I didn't care for it. So obviously I respect your opinion, since I shared it for a few months in 1994. 

[inception]

Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington#30

Posted: 6/11/26 at 5:31pm

When I saw the footage of Ms Peter's talking about the Passion internet rumors, I was reminded about when my 60-something co-worker showed me his Facebook and the AI deepfake ads he was getting with what was supposed to be the Canadian Prime Minister touting investment opportunities.  I had to explain that it was a scam.

...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington#31

Posted: 6/11/26 at 5:54pm

Jarethan said: "Kad said: "And yet Groff starred in Merrily We Roll Along, one of the floppiest flops to ever flop.

I'm not a fan of Passion but if it's being revived with stars like Erivo and Groff, it will do well."

Merrily was not exactly Passion. In the intervening years since it originally flopped, a number of songs became well known, there had been a successful production in London that had been successful in Boston as well, the same director was mounting it again, it had humor. Franklin Shepherdwas the lead and a plum role.that was perfect for Groff.

Passionis a dirge, devoid of humor, and not a melodious song in the scoreIMO . It verges on 'atonal Sondheim'. When I originally saw it, about 50 people in the 2/3 filled orchestra had walked out before the performance was over; it clearly has limited appeal.It is essentially a vehicle for Fosca, which is why I could see Erivo wanting to be in it. But as a followup to Merrily and JIT, it makes no sense to me, unless it is a limited engagement by a son-profit subscription company, e.g., Rounabout or MTG or Lincoln Center in the Newhouse."

Listen...you can have whatever feelings you want about Passion. But do you have any idea how delicious it feels to sing the role of Giorgio? It is a friggin' feast for the chords. Especially in comparison to Franklin Shepherd. Is Fosca the showboat role? Yes. But Girogio  has an astonishing arc for an actor...particularly an actor who has become known for lighter musical comedy work as of late but who possesses a pretty wide range (see Mindhunter). It makes all the sense in the world to me. 

[SisterGeorge]

Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington#32

Posted: 6/11/26 at 6:19pm

When I saw the original production of Passion I hated it--at that time I was primarily a Company man--actually leaving the theater pissed off at Sondheim for not deigning to write a single melody, much less a song. And yet, in the years since, every time I've had a chance to see Passion, I have. And every time I have, I've loved it more and more until now it ranks as one of my favorite Sondheim scores with melodies -- yes, melodies -- that take my breath away. I suspect there are legions of musical theater lovers who have traveled that same journey.

Sister George

[SteveSanders]

Broadway's Best Kept Secrets - Passion + Paddington#33

Posted: 6/11/26 at 6:55pm

This is melodious enough for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3DEjxuoBaQ