I've played DEAR EVAN HANSEN far more often than the others.
Which is tough to admit because FALSETTOS is my second favorite musical of all time (speaking subjectively) and Stephanie J. Block and Andrew Rannells are the new gold standard for their roles. But Christian Borle, talented as he is, leaves a hole in the center with a tepid vocal performance. (Perhaps I'll feel different in a few weeks when I see the show on film.) Granted, Michael Rupert left big shoes to fill; but the Marvin musicals without Marvin seem curiously bland.
THE GREAT COMET has really grown on me (I had to listen to it a few times), and I was shocked to discover I like the lush score of ANASTASIA. Despite the horror of some here, I really like the score of COME FROM AWAY; there's nothing wrong with honest, heartfelt sentiment. And I'm very happy to have a recording of HELLO, DOLLY! where the supporting cast sings so well.
BANDSTAND falls short of the great music of the 40s, perhaps because almost all of the songs are sung by the same two people, and I have no idea what anybody likes about GROUNDHOG DAY. I try not to be a snob about imperfect rhyming; such rhymes are common in pop music and don't bother today's audiences. But when you introduce your leading man with three rhymed couplets in a row, you might take note that erection/reception, ideas/big rears, clock/cop DO NOT FRIGGIN' RHYME!
Still waiting for SITPWG...
Oops. A later poster reminded me I forgot WAR PAINT. I'm still warming up to it, which isn't surprising: those guys don't write "easy" scores. It is an amazing vocal display from two women who shouldn't be able to sing so well at their ages!
What an amazing season for Broadway musicals and OBCRs!
Updated On: 6/28/17 at 10:03 PM