Sunday has the best lyrics I've ever heard. But really I can never get sick of any of his shows.
Except A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum... I've never listened to it, nor have I ever heard much about it. Should I? No one has really mentioned it on this thread, for good or for bad.
I'm not sure why Forum gets bashed so often. No, it's not an innovative show, but it wasn't meant to be. Sondheim is writing to fit the traditional musical comedy format. The songs are fun and fit well into the style of the show.
Seeing a first rate production (as I did with the Nathan Lane revival) might change some minds.
After reading all the comments on this thread that was started in 2008,Im really surprised no one said into the woods. Wierd..
His Best: Company IMHO My Favorite: Into The woods Technical wise:Sweeney todd.I don't really care that much for the show but the score is very pretty.
Ha! That thought occurred to me right after I posted. But I hear that song a lot on all the various concert recordings which gives me even less of a desire to play The Frogs.
Currently I'm bouncing between the remastered OBCR of Follies, the Encores Merrily, and Road Show.
I guess I'm in the minority on this, but I think Bounce/Road Show are as good as anything he's ever written.
^Styne in the 60s. Jon, do you really think Forum is a better score than Funny Girl? Not to mention that Gypsy opened one year shy of the decade.
^Coleman in the 60s. Do you really think Forum is a better score than Little Me (The Other Side of The Tracks, I've Got Your Number, Real Live Girl) or Sweet Charity (If They Could See Me Now, Rhythm of Life, There's Got To Be Something Better Than This, Big Spender, I'm A Brass Band)?
(It's fine if you do. I humbly disagree.)
I do agree that those listed's best work was behind them or they never achieved Sondheim's brilliance. But I disagree that Forum's score is nearly as good, let alone superior, to either Funny Girl, Little Me or Sweet Charity.
Sunday in the Park with George is the most beautiful. Sweeney Todd is the most "epic." Assassins is the most thrilling. I think it's a horribly underrated score, though I'll admit the subject matter is challenging.
I also believe that ROAD SHOW is as good as anything Sondheim has ever written. Why people believe it is "minor" Sondheim is beyond me. I mean, there are so many real gems in that score from "It's Your Hands Now", "The Game", "Isn't He Something!", "Talent" and "The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened" to name but a few. It is actually one of my most often played Sondheim recordings.
I agree though that I love them all in different ways. Each one is something extremely special, but SWEENEY TODD is my favourite musical of all time. To me, it is the most perfect musical. Every note has a purpose, every song has its place and it is so intricately put together. SWEENEY would definetly get my vote!