JRB takes a break — Page 2

The audiences of the NYC productions certainly responded to his work when I saw PARADE and even LAST FIVE YEARS. But a musical about the execution of Leo Frank is not going to be a popular hit like HAIRSPRAY. And in spite of strong work by Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz, the off Broadway production of LFY was killed by the awful set and terrible direction of Daisy Prince. The popularity of the piece after the NY production is due to JRB's score that comes alive on the recording without the heavy handed production that got in the way.

Having only listened to the recording, I can only say that it doesn't come alive to me. But maybe I'm hard of hearing.

After many years of listening to theatre recordings I can tell pretty quickly which ones bear repreated listening by me. I fell asleep during the first play of L5Y. Made it through the 2nd and off to the shelf it went. I accept that I'm out of alignment with some of you on this one. Just think the Broadway world should know that everyone doesn't see the emperor's new clothes on Mr. Brown.

Whad ju say?

Bulldog.

p.s. I correct my typo. Where's my secretary?! Damn it!!

Updated On: 1/25/04 at 12:44 AM

I have never seen The Last 5 Years either - would dearly LOVE to get a chance to! But when I played the CD for the first time, I thought it was spine-tingling. Every single song blew me away - and I play it over and over and wallow in its beautiful melodies and biting lyrics. I think it's an awesome score.

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And I accept that, but I wish you could experience it. Someone on this board said that the score of a musical is meant to be seen and not simply heard. I completly agree. But if you don't like the music than you probably won't like the show (being as it is all music.) Well I'm certain you have your reason's why you can't connect with Jason Robert Brown's music. But a good production can come to life, as Joe Calarco's did, and be an extremely moving piece of theater.

Calaraco is an excellent director. He often works here in Washington. He is directing a new musical by Jill Souble here at Signature soon. I think he would be a perfect person to direct LAST FIVE YEARS, it's the type of material he does well. Prince just made a mess of it with he cute gimmicks and lack of attention to the story. She did nothing with the time forward/backward business. Those type of shows are tough on audiences and if the director can't make it clear and not confusing to an audience, everything is lost.

Or one could try that from another angle Gotham...

The Princes should stay away from Brown.


Bulldog