Incredibly UNDERRATED Overtures..- Page 2

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 11:01pm

When I was little, I liked the Cats overture. I would turn off the record after it ended though, it was the only song I did like.

[Craig]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 11:15pm

Here's a related question. Have Overtures become shorter or sometimes non-existant because audiences "seem" to have shorter attention spans? It seems a lot of shows either have a short one now or if it's a revival - speed it up. Many earlier shows had beautifully orchestrated overtures that could run as long as 7-8 minutes (many in the 4-5 minute range). Offhand I can't think of any - but have any recent shows had such an overture?

[justme2]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 11:18pm

Good point Craig, and something I've thought about as well...I think it's the attention span thing.

For my pick....City of Angels (the whole show is underrated, IMO)

The overture and the exit music are fantastic pieces...I sometimes skip over overtures on cast recordings....but never this one.

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 11:31pm

Couple repeats:
Merrily We Roll Along
...Forum
The Full Monty

And my underrated favorite:
Nine

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 2:06am

One of my pet peeves is cutting overtures--I recently saw a dinner theater production of "Gypsy" where the overture was chopped beyond recognition! As for underrated overtures, my vote goes to "The Full Monty."

[C is for Company]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 2:14am

One that is underrated I find is(I second) URINETOWN, idk its just so good! And this, im not sure if its underrated, absolutely CANDIDE is amazing

[jimmirae]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 3:19am

Stage: "Mack & Mabel"
Screen: "Murder on the Orient Express"

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 4:12am

Two overtures that never get mentioned in the realm of greatness, but should be:

Take Me Along - lushly and elaborately orchestrated by Phil Lang. It's like a layer cake. The title song pokes its way through the entire thing, until when it finally breaks through at the end, the effect is completely joyous.

No, No, Nanette - the show was orchestrated by Ralph Burns, with dance arrangements by Luther Henderson, and their work is perfection. I'm guessing that the Overture is Burns' work, and the swirling version of "Tea for Two" that ends it, with the first piano going nuts with triplet flourishes up and down the keyboard has always thrilled me.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 10:48am

I think you're right, Craig. Audiences don't want to sit still for it. They want to get to the story quickly.

The worst thing you'd want to do, as a composer or director, is to piss your audience off or make them uncomfortable before the show has even started! It would take a long time to win them back if they're already bored before the curtain goes up.

[Sant]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 10:55am

Craig, good point. I think it is the attention span thing.

As for the overtures, I think SUNSET BOULEVARD has an amazing overture. Brilliantly sets the tone of the show.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 11:01am

I will add that I think audiences need "eye candy." This is the MTV and VH1 generation. They can't just stare at a nicely lit curtain for 7 minutes and listen to pit music anymore.

When I saw the Tyne Daly "Gypsy" revival, they played this sainted overture (nearly) completely... but they had a painted scrim with action going on behind it... just to give the audience something to look at while the overture was playing. It helped the fidgeters, I guess, and I was grateful to hear this "best of all best" pieces of music play out in full before the show started.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 12:23pm

I saw the Tyne Daly Gypsy on tour and in New York. I remember the action during the Overture on tour that you described best12bars, but I think they dropped that by the time the show got to Broadway.

Eric Stern's conducting of that Overture was particularly exciting.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 12:25pm

I saw this production in L.A. before it went to Broadway, Smaxie, so that would explain my recollection. They must have decided they didn't need the extra visual "oomph" in New York.

EDIT: And you're right about it being particularly exciting. It's the only time I can recall that an OVERTURE got applause (twice) in the middle of it!

Updated On: 10/13/05 at 12:25 PM

[Bal]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 2:04pm

Both have already been said, but they're also both extremely underrated...

Seussical and CATS. The CATS overture, when seen/heard live, is breathtaking. And the Seussical overture is just SO energetic and fun!

[hypertruffle]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 3:56pm

*110 in the Shade
*The Full Monty
*Applause
*Nine
*A Little Night Music

They don't get their full share of the overture love =(

[tthomas76]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 4:44pm

I would have to go w/ Wonderful Town... It's just a fun overture...

Posted: 10/13/05 at 4:51pm

I would have to say:

Damn Yankees
Guys and Dolls
Bye Bye Birdie

[bschneid76]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:16pm

Darling of the Day has a wonderful overture.

[michelle4]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:27pm

There was always something about the overture to Man of La Mancha that just excited me.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:31pm

The Full Monty
I'd have to say Sweeney Todd also. Would that be considered underrated?
The Light in the Piazza's overture is gorgeous as well.
I don't think Candide's is underrated. I think it's the best overture in my opinion. What a masterpiece.

It's sad that shows nowadays don't have substantial overtures. I love overtures/entr'actes, and now we're just short-changed. Who cares if people can't sit through them? The composers shouldn't. But I guess maybe if something needs to be cut, that's where they go first, which is saddening. Ah, whatev.

~Steven

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:37pm

I've never quite thought of that organ music at the beginning of Sweeney Todd as an Overture.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:39pm

Well, technically, it's the Prologue. I wish the OBCR had the full organ music. It's much longer in the actual score. And it's quite frightening!

~Steven

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:41pm

I agre Craig. The overture is my favorite part of an evening in the theatre, it gets my adrenaline up and sets the mood/ tone for the entire night.

Wonderful Town / Candide / Gypsy / Sweet Charity / DRS / Chitty / ASU / Little Women are my all time faves. ( in no order.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 6:55pm

High Spirits
I Had A Ball

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 10:02pm

i've always been partial to the H2$ revival overturee(not sure if it was the same as the original) also the producers' which is only on the cd