Characterization in musicals

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Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 5:59pm

so, i was thinking:

A lot of people complain that a show has bad characterization (ie: Fiyero in Wicked seems to be the current one).

Let's turn this around and say, what song(s) in a show characterizes a character well?

I'll say 'so what' in Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider) - it goes through her background and, with a good actress, from the way it is performed and the score of the song, it really shows what she is like.

re: Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:04pm

I've never seen Wicked but from past posts I thought the characterization wasn't bad, just how the character was written in general.

I think all of Burr's songs in The Wild Party (Lippa) were great character building songs.

re: Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:05pm

Adelaide's Lament in Guys & Dolls
Master of the House in Les Miserables
The entire score of A Chorus Line

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

re: Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 7:50pm

Hmm, I'd name (just a few now):

"Goodtime Charley" => King Charles (in "Goodtime Charley")
"Use what you got" => JoJo (in "The Life")
"The Music still plays on" => Gordo's Mother (in "A new Brain")
"No More" => Paula (in "The Goodbye Girl")
"Out There" => Quasimodo (in "The Hunchback from Notre Dame")
"Never met a Man I didn't like" => Will Rogers (in "The Will Rogers Follies")
"Finishing the Hat" => George Seurat (in "Sunday in the Park with George")
"I'm still here" => Carlotta Champion (in "Follies")

....

And that is to name but a few...

re: Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 10:58pm

I don't believe I am authorized to threadjack here, but I must.

Franklin- The Hunchback of Notre Dame is incredible and I was happy to see it mentioned. 'Out There' is a great song.

re: Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 11:02pm

all i care about- chicago, but only when paired with the following scene

"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

re: Characterization in musicals

Posted: 12/28/04 at 11:21pm

The Ballad of Booth- Assassins
Heaven on their Minds- Jesus Christ Superstar
anything in The Last Five Years
I'd Give my Life for You- Miss Saigon

Some people analyze every detail/ Some people stall when they can't see the trail/ Some people freeze out of fear that they'll fail/ But I keep rollin' on/ Some people can't get success with their art/ Some people never feel love in their heart/ Some people can't tell the two things apart/ But I keep rollin' on

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