Even if the show is snubbed in the Best Musical category, Adam Guettel could pull a JRB and win for the score, both because it's a comeback for him and because of it's quality although it isn't as accessible as Bridges IMO. Listening to the album right now and it's definitely growing on me with more repeated listenings but voters/audience members might not take the time to do that. Thoughts?
Kad said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "It might even be the favorite for Best Musical based on what I’ve been hearing."
Really? Word of mouth was decidedly mixed when it was off-Broadway."
Having seen it off-Broadway, I *absolutely* could see it getting a best score nod. The score is gorgeous, as to be expected from Guettel. The show overall is just fine. I could see it sneaking into a Best Musical nomination, but I have a hard time seeing it winning.
Other score contenders:
Here Lies Love (longish shot) Lempicka Suffs (which, depending on how much work they've done on it since the Public, could be a real contender) The Notebook (which, I'd actually place as frontrunner at the moment) The Outsiders Water for Elephants
So, it's not the strongest original score slate ever -- but WAY stronger than most of our recent seasons.
This is an interesting question for sure... I saw Days of Wine and Roses Off-Broadway and liked it a lot, but didn't necessarily love it. I thought both Kelli and Brian gave truly astonishing performances. The score was fine I suppose? It served the story well and it was lovely, but it's not the same caliber as JRB's Bridges IMO. I think it will definitely be NOMINATED for best score, but I'm not sure if it will actually win or not (I think The Notebook has a better chance at best score).
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Great question! I think the front runners are actually Lempicka, Suffs, and Water for Elephants. This is based on nothing except my having heard the scores, as compared to the brilliant but difficult score to Days of Wine and Roses. I would be shocked if Adam won for best score.
It might be less to likely happen in a season with multiple original scores, but I imagine the original songs in the play Stereophonic could also be deemed eligible. If its a prestige hit on Broadway, as it is off Broadway, the Tony nominating committee could suprise by including it.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
What's wrong with letting 'em tap their toes a bit?
I'll let you know when Stravinsky has a hit
Give me some melody!
Oh sure, I know
It's not that kind of show
But can't you have a score
That's sort of in between?
Look, play a little more
I'll show you what I mean!
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Even based on just “There Go I,” “First Breath,” and “Forgiveness” (all of which have hummable melodies), this should be a frontrunner. The rest of the score is no slouch, but it’s not an immediately accessible score like some others.
Yes, the original songs in Stereophonic should be eligible, especially since the category includes any original music and/or lyrics written for the theatre. In terms of other plays that could make the cut, the score for My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) would be a fun inclusion in the category.
Yeah, I wish some of it could have been more accessible but frankly my biggest problem is the plot is completely lost on me when listening to just the score. I need some context, lol.
I can't exactly explain it but there is something slightly interesting and haunting about this CD that is making me keep listening to to it over and over again, even if I don't understand everything that is happening. I still maintain this is one of the least accessible scores I've heard - it's almost getting into Michael John L territory for me (that's a line that besides Wild Party I just cannot understand/cross) - it makes PASSION and other Sondheim seem like child's play. It truly epitomises those lyrics from Merrily for me - but I think what I respect about it is I do believe the lack of melody and dissonance is intentional to capture the mood. The style of music feels something like Steve Reich not an amateur's lack of capability to create a tune. The song that particularly haunts me is "Underdeath".
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
binau said: "I can't exactly explain it but there is something slightly interesting and haunting about this CD that is making me keep listening to to it over and over again, even if I don't understand everything that is happening. I still maintain this is one of the least accessible scores I've heard - it's almost getting into Michael John L territory for me (that's a line that besides Wild Party I just cannot understand/cross) - it makes PASSION and other Sondheim seem like child's play. It truly epitomises those lyrics from Merrily for me - but I think what I respect about it is I do believe the lack of melody and dissonance is intentional to capture the mood. The style of music feels something like Steve Reich not an amateur's lack of capability to create a tune. The song that particularly haunts me is "Underdeath". "
Haunting is the perfect word to describe this score. In a good way of course.
I find it hard to listen to. The songs are monotonic. And to quote the other writer.."There is not a tune you can hum." Muscials used to have such wonderful music. Why we all went to the theatre. This show does not have a tune you would want to hum.
I'm sure Kelli and Brian Darcy are great in this. Otherwise this depressing musical subject matter and atonal musicl would not work at all. However I will not buy a ticket and if it wins best score ...it will be ridiculous.
But I've been wrong before. Titanic beating the LIfe for Best Musical? I was wrong,
This music is not Sondheim. It is not Jason Robert Brown. The score is annoyingly dull.
I understand this it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I can't stop listening to this. One of the most interesting and memorable scores in recent years, for me.
I've become enamored of the score, too. It resembles Myths and Hymns more than Floyd Collins or Light in the Piazza. The music is not literally atonal, but its harmony is largely non-functional, which makes it sound strange and sometimes random, even if it's not random at all.
Binau: I actually think this is quite a bit more jarring than some of LaChiusa's scores, including the dark but tuneful Bernarda Alba and the rather mild score of the recent Gardens of Anuncia.
Stereophonic is a play. Days of Wine is a musical... Not sure if songs from a play are eligible. I think there were only 4 or 5 total songs in Sterephonic??
Is Sterephonic transferring to Broadway or not?
Falsettolands said: "calling it now very early, and it may be foolish but- I see Stereophonic winning."
Adam Guettel himself was nominated for his score for To Kill a Mockingbird five years ago. The recent Angels in America revival was also nominated for Best Original Score. 2012 had two plays with music nominated for their songs: One Man, Two Guvnors and Peter and the Starcatcher (they lost to Newsies). 2010 also saw two plays nominated: Enron and Fences, the latter which would have been a deserved win for Branford Marsalis (they lost to Memphis). This is all to say that plays are indeed eligible for Best Original Score if they have original music and/or lyrics written for the production.