Great Score, Shame About The Book- Page 2
Great Score, Shame About The Book
#25re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 6:06pmI love Spring Awakening, but the book really isn't that great. The only scene that really stuck out for me was the one where Wendla's mother tells her she's pregnant, but I guess that could really depend on the actresses.
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#26re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 6:19pm
If anything about the book of 'Spring Awakening' is good, I guarantee it's one of the original Wedekind parts they didn't touch. If it hadn't been based on such a great play to begin with, they would be SUNK with that book. XD
#27re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 6:21pmSeussical - I spent the entire time watching it wishing I was just listening to the CD instead.
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#28re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:14pmWell, considering Seussical is almost completely sung-through, there wouldn't have been much difference between seeing it and listening to the CD.
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#29re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:29pm
I cannot believe Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Carousel were mentioned on this list... bad books? NO! Not at all! They're practically classics.
To continue the discussion, I've always thought Rags had a problematic book but one of the most ravishing scores ever written.
#30re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:33pm
I agree with you, guettboy.
I went to a talk back with Stephen Schwartz and he said there was definitely unfinished business with Rags. He has been wanting to revisit it for some time and make the much-needed changes to the book, but has never had the opportunity.
"I believe that art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, to engage in a constant search for the truth."
- Barbra Streisand
#31re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:34pm
I also disagree with the person who listed Parade.
And as much as I love the show, I feel that Light in the Piazza could use some work on its book.
"I believe that art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, to engage in a constant search for the truth."
- Barbra Streisand
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#32re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:36pm
The only thing I didn't like about the book of Piazza (and I thought the show was breathtaking) was Margaret's direct addresses to the audience. That was the only thing that took me out - other than that I'd say the show is pretty tight.
And Yes, bwayboy, Parade is also a musical that shouldn't have been listed here.
#34re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:40pmI was okay with Margaret's addresses to the audience, although there were certain lines in a few of these monologues that I found awkward. I thought the second act as a whole was week. Specifically, the scenes where Fabrizio's father finds out about her age and when Margaret tries to convince him to reconsider. He reacted so fiercely and then I thought gave in to easy- the stakes just didn't seem high enough. And I know what Lucas was going for- the power of love- but it just didn't work for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm still in love with the show, it's just something I would change.
"I believe that art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, to engage in a constant search for the truth."
- Barbra Streisand
bwaymizfit2
Understudy Joined: 5/19/06
#35re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:43pmI'm glad Chess was one of the first mentioned, because it was certainly the show that popped into my mind when I saw the thread.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#36re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 7:45pm
Re: The Rink
McNally already rewrote the book about 10 years ago. Not a lot of huge changes, but definitely improved.
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#37re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 8:37pmWell, they revised the book of Parade in the London production and I think they really fixed a lot of the flaws in the original book.
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#38re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 9:59pm
In the Heights
The Frogs, after Nathan Lane got a hold of it
Dear World
Burn the witch
The witch is dead
Burn the witch
Just bring me back her head
The witch is dead
Burn the witch
Just bring me back her head
zooxanthellae
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
#39re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:05pmFunny Girl and Chess come immediately to mind.
#40re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:06pm
Gypsy
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
Updated On: 6/17/08 at 10:06 PM
i*heart*fame
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/04
#41re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:19pmMerrily We Roll Along
"Don't thank your parents, if you were raised in a nurturing environment you wouldnt be in show business"--Conan O'Brien at the 2006 Emmy Awards
#42re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:48pmsondheimgeek, you are joking, no?
"I believe that art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, to engage in a constant search for the truth."
- Barbra Streisand
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#43re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:05pm
Look, I love Parade, but I don't love the book. The characters are too stereotyped and the case is presented as too black and white. I know other people who would agree with me that Parade's book has problems.
It's good to hear that the London version fixed it.
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Updated On: 6/17/08 at 11:05 PM
#44re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:13pm
Well, considering Seussical is almost completely sung-through, there wouldn't have been much difference between seeing it and listening to the CD.
At least on the cd, I don't have to watch the mess on stage. So NYAH!
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Current Saying: What do you mean it isn't enough being pretty? Have you seen my headshots?!?
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flahooley2
Understudy Joined: 6/1/08
#45re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:35pmI actually think Nathan improved The Frogs. And I see you're a self-proclaimed coffee-slinger/student. You must let us know when you collaborate with Sondheim. I'm sure you'll know exactly what to do.
#46re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:40pm
bwayboi4life, I am joking haha. Gypsy has one of the strongest books in the theatre. 
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
#47re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:47pmI'm going to have to second The Frogs. It could have been a really great show...had Nathan not mangled it with jokes about the Bush administration every five seconds.
Merrily we roll along, roll along...
The Other One
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/1/08
#48re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/18/08 at 7:28am
Anyone Can Whistle
On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
#49re: Great Score, Shame About The Book
Posted: 6/18/08 at 7:39am
My ONLY problem with PIAZZA, and it's a biggie, is Fabrizio's mother's address to the audience "I know I don't speak English, but I have to tell you what's going on" -- followed by her song in English.
SHAMEFUL.
Way to destroy what up to that moment was a stunning, near perfect musical.
I think it's that moment/scene/song that prevented the show from winning Best Musical.
I don't know if its inclusion was Lucas', Guettel's or Sher's decision, but it was DEADLY, and I hope that if the show is ever revived, they will CUT IT.
I don't know WHAT they were thinking.
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"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
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