Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?

[bwayfan7000]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#1

Posted: 5/22/11 at 6:53pm

I was listening to the recording today (which, by the way, is as amazing each time I listen to it) and I got to wondering if there is any dialogue in the show. Tony Kushner is credited with lyrics and book, but the recording doesn't seem to have any breaks in it. For those lucky people who have seen the show, can you clear this up for me?

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

[fade2black2]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#2

Posted: 5/22/11 at 7:04pm

There is dialog in the show. If it EVER is revived again, it is a MUST see!

[Jordan Catalano]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#2

Posted: 5/22/11 at 7:51pm

99% of the show is on the CD. The show pretty much is completely sung through.

[bwayfan7000]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#3

Posted: 5/22/11 at 8:06pm

That's what it sounded like to me, but I always wondered. Larson is also credited with a book for RENT, and there clearly isn't a book for that, either.

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

[CATSNYrevival]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#4

Posted: 5/22/11 at 8:26pm

Well, there's more spoken passages and narration in Rent than there is in Caroline, or Change.

[Mister Matt]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#5

Posted: 5/22/11 at 8:40pm

A musical's book is not just spoken dialogue. Sung-through shows have books as do operas and ballets.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[CATSNYrevival]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#6

Posted: 5/22/11 at 8:47pm

^

That's just something people say now to justify Cats winning a best book Tony award.

[bwayfan7000]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#7

Posted: 5/22/11 at 8:50pm

What more to a book is there than dialogue or monologue? I suppose if there's two lines of dialogue, there's dialogue, but not really enough to justify calling it a "book".

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

[dramamama611]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#8

Posted: 5/22/11 at 9:17pm

It's not A book, it's THE book. Its the story line -- regardless of how it is told. When someone says the book is weak, that does not necessarily mean the dialogue is bad, but the story itself is.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[Mister Matt]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#9

Posted: 5/22/11 at 9:22pm

The book is the show's structural narrative. Les Miserables, Falsettos and Evita also have books. A bookless show would be a show completely devoid of a narrative thread, usually revues.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[bwayfan7000]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#10

Posted: 5/22/11 at 9:36pm

Wow, I never thought of it that way. (And I feel stupid...ha).

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

[blaxx]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#11

Posted: 5/22/11 at 9:50pm

A bookless show would be a show completely devoid of a narrative thread

Like Cats?

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

[Mister Matt]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#12

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:02pm

Cats will always be the subject of endless debate. Apparently, the Tony voters that year thought it not only had a book, but the best book of the season. I think there is something of a narrative thread, but it's very slight. A Doll's Life, Merlin and My One and Only were the other nominees that season.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[CATSNYrevival]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#13

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:03pm

^

Apparently not according to the Tony voters.

[broadwaydevil]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#14

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:06pm

I love answering questions about this show. Caroline never got the love, acknowledgement, or attention it deserved.

Any minimal dialogue is used basically as a pause between songs. The music tells the entire story and tells it well.

Scratch and claw for every day you're worth! Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming You'll live forever here on earth.

[dramamama611]

Is Caroline, or Change sung-through?#15

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:16pm

I am one of those that missed the boat on seeing this show. In fact, I'm ashamed to say, that I was barely cognizant of its existance.

But based on the comments here, I'm currently downloading it to my iPhone. Can't wait to hear it!

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.