Caroline, or Change- Page 2

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 6:34am

Caroline, or Change is the most accomplished score I have heard in the past twenty years. Everything about it-the words, the music, the performers, the orchestrations-come together beautifully and paint a vibrant picture. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but I also recommend that you give it a few listens and soak it in. You won't regret it.

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 8:07am

By the way I hear that the National Theatre here in London will produce a new version of Caroline or change next year.

[AugustusGloop]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:17am

I can't recall ever not being able to speak for an hour after seeing a show. Caroline changed all that. Kushner and Tesori gave the theatre world a beautiful gift when they put this together. I still get choked up when listening the the OBCR.

And no one has mentioned her, but I always thought Veanne Cox was a standout...perfect in the role of the outsider. In fact, everyone in this show was perfect!

I may have to plan a trip to London!

[hen88]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:53am

This is hands down the best live musical theater experience I have ever had. This show is beyond words. I actually get emotional just thinking about it...and I'm not even an emotional person. I have never seen a musical where eveything came together (the score, the story, the performances, the direction and the technical aspects) in complete harmony. Tonya Pinkins was absolutely ROBBED of that Tony award. Veanne Cox created such a complex and sympathetic character out of a role that could have been very thankless. Chuck Cooper is just legendary. I really hope this musical is done in more professional regional theaters. It needs to be seen. This ends my rave...for now.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:58am

FYI: It's a Cast Recording not a Soundtrack.

[robbiej]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:36am

I said it in another post, but it bears repeating. In a hundred years, Caroline, or Change and American Idiot will stand the the two greatest musical accomplishments of the beginning of the new millenium. I'll be dead by then, so if I'm wrong, who cares.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:52am

I couldn't get the show out of my head for weeks after seeing. Truly amazing.

Posted: 12/23/05 at 1:50am

This show was completely breahtaking. Everything was executed in the most outstanding way from the actors to the sets to the music and direction. Seriously one of the most poignant and powerful shows I have seen.

The cast alone is phenomenal and so nice. Anika Noni Rose was so sweet at the stage door and so was Aisha de HAas and Capathia. All of the actors had such a passion with the show that they conveyed every emotion of thier characters whether or not they were a person with feelings or a cellestial body or a washing machine.

I, who never cry at performances or give standing ovations, gave both to this phenomenal cast becuase it touched my heart to see such a wonderful show.

In the words of the late Ossie Davis: "Long live Caroline, Or Change!"

[eslgr8]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 2:28am

Margo is absolutely right! And I will add that each character sings in a completely different musical genre. The score grows with you on each listening, but don't expect power ballads and hooks, because there aren't any.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 7:08am

It's funny to me because the first 10 minutes of the show is actually a lot more lyrical than some of the other stuff in the first act. It's also funny that I was listening to this one day while cleaning (it's AWESOME cleaning music), and my housemate, who had never heard anything about the show and doesn't know all that much about musical theater asked what it was because she really liked what she heard (and this was pretty much just musically as she was in the other room and probably couldn't actually follow the story). Yes, the white family's music is meandering and Sondheimian (I wouldn't have it any other way) but most of Caroline, Emmy, and Dotty's music has some great R&B influences that I think are perfectly listenable even the first time around.

That being said, this is hands down my favorite show and I still cry every time I listen to the recording, specifically during I Hate the Bus, Lot's Wife, and the Epilogue..."underground through hidden veins, down from storm coulds when it rains..." Amazing!

[IveGottaBeME]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 10:48am

this is my favorite show, ever. the OBC is incredible...not one weak link. Tonya Pinkins gave a legendary performance that for some reason was looked over at the Tony's. she lived and breathed this role.. Caroline is such a deep role, and she encompassed everything about her... such a riveting performance.

[ALWrules]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 11:43am

I saw that show in LA and place it as one of the worst musicals I have ever seen. The music was stagnant and uninteresting, with very little variation on any of the tunes. I didn't care about the characters and was bored with the whole thing. All in all, the score is just abysmal. I would thow away the CD or give it to someone you want to scorn.

[lildogs]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 1:24pm

I agree with the other poster who loved Chandra Wilson--I saw the show on Bway and in San Fran, and Wilson wasn't in the SF show and boy did I miss her!

I don't necessarily think it's one of the greates shows ever, but I just listenin to the music might be a hard sell for someone who hasn't seen the show, considering all the mystical and abstract elements in it--it's certainly not in a traditional form, but it's a fantastic show with some truly haunting songs.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 1:27pm

In my opinion...the show is a masterpiece. I am just so sorry I could not have seen it a second or third time. Brilliant.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 1:47pm

And now I am walking around my office singing I hate the bus!

Hey.....I will take this chance to wish you all a Happy Holiday and thank you for all of the wonderful and provocative conversation this past year!

Updated On: 12/23/05 at 01:47 PM

[Danielm]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 1:48pm

Some shows take more time than others. They're not about easy subjects and the music is complex and you can't get it by one listen or casual listening. It's easier to get a handle on if you have seen it, but if that's not possible you have to work a little harder. I know the first time I heard the CDs of Passion, Floyd Collins, pretty much any La Chiusa I couldn't completely take them in. But after a few listenings they open up and become some of the most rewarding experiences. I do find I can't listen to these while I'm working because they absorb me and often make me so emotional that I can't do anything but sit. If you can see the show definitely do--it's one of the most resonant experiences I've ever had in the theatre. Most shows are gone after a few hours or days, this one sticks. I still get overwhelmed listening to it.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 2:06pm

I can identify with you. It took me a while to get into the cd, only listened to Lot's Wife, but once you dive it, it's a long way to the surface.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 3:45pm

After I got it, I shared it with friends and made them listen to it from beginning to end. I think that's the best way to listen to this cd for the first time and then go back and listen to what you like. Personally I like to listen to the 2nd disc from I Saw Three Ships to the end.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 12/23/05 at 4:56pm

I fell in love with it this semester when we had to analyze the $hit out of it for my Costume Design class. Some beautiful music and thoughtful lyrics. I love the complex relationships between all the characters in particular.

Akiva

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 12/25/05 at 4:15pm

Happy Holidays everyone!

It is so nice to see the Caroline, or Change love on this board again, since this is just about my favorite musical of all time. I'm happy to see that it was loved by so many of you, as I respect all of your opinions.

A question: During its brief Broadway run, there had been rumors of a DVD release of the show. This didn't seem too farfetched, as this was an HBO production. Does anyone have any idea if this is ever going to happen?

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/25/05 at 4:59pm

apparently there are no plans to release it as of now but there is a petition to get it released!! i hope it comes out but doesnt seem very likely.....

also--when i first bought the CD (the day it came out) i immediately fell in love w/the vast variety of music and it was so compelling (For me at least)

[RustyRocketteBoy]

Posted: 12/25/05 at 5:17pm

I LOVE this show too! Its so ahead of its time but im glad broadway gave it a chance. Its also getting its first regional showing at the Lyric Stage in Boston coming up in April and its supposed to be really good so go check it out!

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 12/25/05 at 5:53pm

Thanks RRB,
That sounds like a great excuse for a trip to Boston in April for me!!!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/25/05 at 5:55pm

i thought DC was doing/had done a regional production already..

[Buddy Kiss]

Posted: 12/25/05 at 6:04pm

I'm just adding my voice to all those here who continue to be blown away by this musical. It's not an easy listen but if studied, you can learn to appreiciate its artistry.

You can't just pop it into the cd player and surf the net and expect to "get it." I had to sit down with the lyrics and listen to the whole thing, from start to finsh.

You won't be diappointed.