Does ANYONE Like "Bounce?"

[BenKaye]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 6:59pm

Many people on this board have stated their dislike for the recent Stephen Sondheim musical, "Bounce." And I just want to know, why?

I haven't seen the show, but I have listened to the score, and it's not one of the worst things in the world. Sure, it's not one of Sondheim's best, but I've heard worse scores.

Is there some other reason why the theatre community does not like "Bounce?" Or do people not like the score?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 7:10pm

I like it.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 7:11pm

Why do people dislike it?! It's not Sondheim's best, but it's not a bad score by any standards. It's a return to the "Forum" type of scores- catchy and fun, but still complex. I think that "Talent", "Bounce" and "Gold" are all great songs.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 7:16pm

I used to like Bounce, but I now prefer the lighter-smelling Snuggle dryer sheets.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 7:18pm

Just based on the recording I like a good portion of the music.

[chrysler99]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 7:37pm

I like parts of it. I saw it in DC and enjoyed it but didn't love it. when I got the CD, I liked some of it even less but some of it even more. the songs mentioned above are good, as is Boca Raton.

from seeing the production and listening to the recording a bunch of times, I think that Act Two is much more cohesive and stronger than Act I, which is all over the place (literally and figuratively).

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 8:18pm

There are a lot of great songs (GOLD!, BOCA RATON, GET OUT OF MY LIFE, ADDISON'S CITY, etc.) and there are a lot of, frankly, bad songs (THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAS HAPPENED TO ME, WHAT'S YOUR RUSH?, THE GAME, etc.)

I still maintain that the show will never be great: Sondheim has labeled the Broadway try-out production that never came to anything as a show with 90% of what they originally wanted. But 10% rewrites aren't enough, because the show is a serious story trapped in a "musical comedy" concept (imagine a producer reading the final draft of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and saying "Yeah, it's great, but imagine what Jerry Herman could do with it!") In that respect, the show is also like MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, which was also "not meant to be taken seriously" at one time.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 8:22pm

I like it. I didn't get to see it, but based on the CD I like most of the score. "Opportunity", "What's Your Rush?" and "Talent" are the stand outs for me.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 8:44pm

I just feel people would like it best if this weren't the same man that brought us PASSION, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, SWEENEY TODD, et al. I honestly have tried to like it, but I just think it's just kind of bland. To quote Sondheim's own lyrics: "You're not good, you're not bad, you're just nice." That's how I feel about BOUNCE, and that's not enough to make me care for a score.
The only way I would pay to see this on Broadway is if Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber, and Nathan Lane were attached to the piece again.

[sally1112]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 9:19pm

I've only heard the recording, and I really love it. I wish Gavin had more songs.
I have wondered why it isn't discussed or referenced here more.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 9:23pm

I honestly can't imagine many people in the part of Addison besides Richard Kind and maybe Nathan Lane. Richard Kind does such an amazing job on the recording- I love listening to it just for him.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 9:24pm

I actually LOVE it! I have the CD and I just listened to it earlier..what a coincidence!

J*

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 9:40pm

I consider myself a diehard Sondheimite and I could just not warm up to the show. I thought Harold Prince's direction was piss-poor, the book was choppy and the score simply does not come even close in quality to any musical that Sondheim has written.

[artscallion]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 9:50pm

My problem with Bounce is that it never really goes anywhere of consequence, which is contrary to what I've come to expect from Sondheim shows. I mean, aside from the literal journey the characters take, what's the point of it all. I can't see any point that hasn't already been laid out in the opening number. And even if you think it does go somewhere, I was never able to muster any interest in going there.

I'm a huge Sondheimite. But Bounce, despite a few good songs, remains a mystery to me.

Updated On: 4/1/08 at 09:50 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 10:05pm

That's the point! It's like comedic musical absurdism: Sondheim style. You can go through an entire life adventure, but in the end, you just need to keep on "Bounce"ing. It's never done! The ending scene for me was almost "Waiting for Godot"-ish.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 10:54pm

Love it!

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 11:08pm

I like it a lot, but as Ray said when you compare it to Sondheim's other work, well...

I love "The Best Thing That Ever Happened," "Talent," and the title song. Also, I think Michelle Pawk and Howard McGillin are just splendid together and seperate on this recording. I know that Sondheim and Weidman are scrapping Prince's work on Bounce and will put on Wise Guys at the Public Theater with Doyle directing it. Let's hope for some good casting.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 11:11pm

My problem with Bounce is that it never really goes anywhere of consequence...

Which is why I always thought the story should have focused on the volatile relationship between the brothers.

I mean, honestly, how are you supposed to feel sorry for Wilson after all the (c) he puts Addie through? And how are you supposed to believe that they make up?

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 11:41pm

Talent is a fantastic song. The show is not the best but i give it a good listen now and then.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 6:32pm

Katurian2: thanks for posting. That really helps me with Bounce and I will be able to listen to it afresh now.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 7:31pm

I don't think I could ever dislike a Sondheim musical :)

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 7:53pm

Sondheim apparently likes it enough. I myself do not. It's also particularly a let down when you consider how much effort he's clearly taking to try and make the show work.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 4/4/08 at 11:02am

The artwork on the CD sums up what I thought the show was going to be about.

I went to see it in Chicago and found the second act was stronger and more focussed. But when it was all over it was the first time I left a Sondheim (and company) musical without understanding WHY this story was worth telling.

I enjoyed it and like much of the score - even more since the CD came out - and I hope they finally get it right. (They also need to correct a glaring error: The Yukon is not IN Alaska! It is is Canada!!)

But ... it's a shame Sondheimn wasted more than 10 years on this project. I would have prefrerred 2-3 other shows in that time. Still, when you consider all he has given us, it seems greedy to ask for more.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 4/4/08 at 11:24am

I saw it in Chicago and again at the Kennedy Center.

The biggest problems were called Richard Kind (annoying as all get-out and thoroughly unbelievably cast as someone Gavin Creel would fall in love with) and Jane Powell ('nuf said).

The score contains some great music. I'd love to see it re-mounted on Broadway, but doubt the dude from Signature in DC is up to the task.

[BkCollector]

Posted: 4/4/08 at 11:32am

I feel as though I've heard all these songs before. They were so close to other pieces he's written, whereas a piece like Passion is so far removed from his other works, and that's one of my favorites of his.

It just wasn't new, nothing new to say, I guess.