Favorite Sondheim Scores — Page 4

That's a bit harsh. What makes me so awful?

Updated On: 11/29/14 at 03:34 PM

Right?! With scaled-back shades of his performance in "Rashomon."

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Though I found the drama lacking from the recent adaptation of Anna Karenina, I agree that it was beautiful, and a Pacific Overtures film would probably benefit from a visually-based direction like AK.

I was checking out this thread last night, I thought it would get popular.. I know icecreambenjamin asked for favorite Sondheim recordings for each show. It's a hard task, but in my opinion, the best Sondheim recordings:
West Side Story: 2009 Broadway revival recording. or the original
Gypsy: it's a tough one, but I still think the original Broadway is the best, perhaps with Angela Lansbury and Patti LuPone's being in the top 3
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: I only have three recordings, but I think the 1996 revival is the best one
Anyone Can Whistle: both the original and the concert recording are terrific, but I love Bernadette Peters more than Lee Remick as Nurse Apple
Company: the original is the best, no contest. I enjoy the 2006 John Doyle revival recording as well.
Follies: The 1985 in concert is by far my favorite recording. The four stars are just unparalleled when it comes to other recordings.
A Little Night Music: the original, once again. Although the 1996 recording starring Judi Dench is another favorite.
Pacific Overtures: Gotta be honest, my least-listened to Sondheim show. But of the three recordings I have, I've enjoyed the original the most.
Sweeney Todd: and again, the original is my favorite. Although I enjoy Patti LuPone in both of her recordings (and I love the 2005 revival with its new orchestrations and seamless transitions).
Merrily We Roll Along: This one is almost as tough as Gypsy, because there are four recordings and each of them is different and has something different to offer. And it's just a terrific score. I don't think I can choose.
Sunday in the Park with George: The original with Mandy and Bernadette is the one. Although I only have one other recording.
Into the Woods: The one problem I have with the outstanding original recording is the orchestrations sometimes seem a little...synthesized. A mark of the times. The original London is good, the Broadway revival is only notable because of Laura Benanti, but the movie soundtrack seems like it will be absolutely terrific.
Assassins: Damn, these original casts were great...
Passion: The original Broadway, London and 2013 revival recordings all have interesting things to offer. Donna Murphy, Maria Friedman and Judy Kuhn are all admirable in their performances. But if I'm picking most-listened, its the original.
Bounce / Road Show / Gold! / Wise Guys: I have two recordings and I've been so bored by both of them. I love Sondheim but this show isn't very interesting.
My favorite revues of his are: A Stephen Sondheim Evening (with a terrific cast including Liz Callaway, George Hearn, Victoria Mallory and a special appearance by Angela Lansbury), Side by Side by Sondheim and Sondheim: A Musical Tribute.
I love Stephen Sondheim.

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After re-listening to Follies, it might be my favorite score.
Evening Primrose also has a beautiful score.

I only know the 2011 script. Is it different from the original?
I really think that it's perfect for a film.

I think the time for a Follies film has passed. We needed the legends of days past that were just beginning to disappear around the original production. If the movie was made in the 70's you could have a director like Orson Welles or Billy Wilder and stars like Katharine Hepburn or Bette Davis (Judy Garland could have been an amazing Sally, but of course tragically passed away in '69) when all we have today is Meryl Streep and Glen Close.

Baz Luhrmann would be terrible with a Follies film, because Follies requires a delicate touch and Baz is many things, but not delicate. And where did you find your original copy of the Follies script?

"PACIFIC OVERTURES is so deeply woven with theater conventions and performance modes, both American and Asian, that I have a hard time picturing it gaining much through the realistic medium of film. Would "Poems" benefit by seeing the actual leaves and the wind and the drops of rain? Would "Four Black Dragons" be any richer if we saw genuine steamships chugging into the harbor? Doubtful. "

Agree with this whole heartedly. As for the book? Well when I first watched the original recording on Youtube, I found myself falling asleep at times. Maybe because it was very late. However the second time watching it, I am rapt with attention and am discovering new things that I hadn't noticed before.

It's definitely worth a second watch, if you're torn on the book. I thought that the book was wonderful, and moved the plot quite well.