Jeanine Tesori

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:12pm

I have only seen two of her shows (Millie and Caroline) and LOVED them both. I was shocked, though, coming out of Caroline. It was SO much different than Millie and since those were the only two shows of hers I saw, I thought maybe you guys would know what type of music she usually writes and which one of these shows was very unusual for her (the hauntingly dark music of Caroline or the upbeat, joyus music of Millie).

Also, what other musicals did she take part in? How were they? Updated On: 8/30/04 at 03:12 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:19pm

Her earlier score for "Violet" is much more similar to "Caroline" than it is to "Millie." "Millie" is an old-fashioned Broadway song score written in musical theatre idioms, but, like "Caroline," the "Violet" score goes seemlessly from country to blues to gospel to R&B. Pick up the "Violet" cast album, if you don't know it already -- it's terrific.

Updated On: 8/30/04 at 03:19 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:21pm

Just a tip.
Her name is Jeanine. She is one of the most talented women in theater!
She is also a sweet person.
Updated On: 8/30/04 at 03:21 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:22pm

Thanks Margo. I think Ill pick that CD up.

Whoops, sorry Corine. Ill change it.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:23pm

Agreeing with Corine here...she's incredibly talented and sweet...I can't wait to hear any new works in the future from her.

[Corine2]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:23pm

Thanks. Violet is really gorgeous. Very dark like Caroline.
I love all of her work.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 3:25pm

Twelfth Night was also very interesting - she REALLY knows how to appropriate her writing.
Violet is extremely underrated. It is easily one of my favorite recordings. Violet is played by Lauren Ward (1776), Flick is Michael McElroy (Big River, The Wild Party) Monty is Michael Park (Hello Again). Other cast members include Cass Morgan, Robert Westenberg and Amanda Posner.
RUN TO BUY IT! (or click your fingers fast on the internet!)

[wildparty20]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:12pm

I am always amazed at the complete devotion to character and story that Jeanine has in her writing. She crosses over so many styles in her writing and masters each one beautifully. Twelfth Night is very eclectic, using instruments from other cultures, folk rhythms/harmonies. Violet covers rock, gospel, country, R&B, modern musical theatre. Millie is classic song and dance writing from the Golden Age. Caroline is Blues, R&B, 60s rock, modern musical theatre. I agree with Margo that Violet and Caroline are the most similar scores, however, they are still completely different and come from a dramatic/character driven purpose. I can't wait to hear her next project. (And as others said, she's a great person. I met her after Millie one night, and she's so humble and completely willing to talk with you).

[NBRISBY]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:13pm

Sadly, I know of no recording of Twelfth Night. Am I wrong, or was this never recorded? If not, let's get a revival going so it can get recorded!

[Mattio98]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:15pm

I personally think that her ability to write with completely different styles to fit the context of the show she's writing for is truly remarkable.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:38pm

Here's the amazon.com link for "Twelfth Night:"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004RD4Z/qid=1093898377/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/103-2347923-4697413?v=glance&s=music

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:44pm

She is a composer who I desperately want to like. But for some reason I have a hard time liking her work.

I love CAROLINE.

But I am not very fond of MILLIE or VIOLET.

But I am going to pull out my VIOLET Cast Recording, because I think I was just in a bad mood when I first listened to it, and it made me shy away from it.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:48pm

'Violet' is a dark musical?

There's a difference between drama and dark. It's a powerful, dramatic story full of hope. It's not dark in the slightest, unless anything non-comedic is going to be dark.

[NBRISBY]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:50pm

thanks! didn't know it was available. shows what i know!

[magruder]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:56pm

I agree, JohnPopa. I don't find "dark" to be an accurate word to describe Violet, and in fact, Violet's Act Two arc is really hopeful and moving. The show just taps into something very soul-satisfying, for me, starting with the father's "That's What I Could Do" through the end of the show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 5:05pm

Since seeing and listening to the Caroline CD, I have become a fan of hers. Caroline is brilliant and I intend to explore more of her music. I did not know about "Violet". It will be next on my list.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 5:26pm

Both Violet and Twelfth Night were a little hard to find. You can get them right from the publisher on Amazon.com zshops.
Highly Highly Highly reccomended.
God is this woman talented. Updated On: 8/30/04 at 05:26 PM

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 6:40pm

Does anyone know what her next project is? I am so intrigued by what she will pick next. Has anyone seen Violet performed since it's original run. If so how was it?

Akiva

[Chip1012]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 7:18pm

I wish the Violet score was availible. Updated On: 8/30/04 at 07:18 PM

[Hank]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 9:18pm

I don't think that anyone here mentioned that Jeanine is also married to Michael Rafter, the musical director of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
And I agree with Corine and Broadway Girl. "That she's incredibly talented and sweet".

[DancerGirl16]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 10:45pm

Yeah violet was great, I love the song "On My Way"

[J-Pill]

Posted: 8/31/04 at 12:21am

Gah. I've expressed my love for Violet a few times before here.
I saw a local production of it over the summer...June, I think. I was completely blown away. As soon as it finished, I stood on my feet to clap for the amazing actors/singers and overall purpose of the show.

I haven't found the time to buy the recording yet... and it's making me SICK. I remember a few of the melodies, but not many. I know when I finally get the recording it will all come rushing back.

Of course, it has its light and fun moments. The dramatic moments are like others said, not dark at all but hopeful, inspirational, heartbreaking, and soulful. It's different from any other musical I've seen in theater. Why can't there be more of this like Caroline, or Change? I'm tired of this bull they pass off on Broadway these days. Yes, these shows have a message and yes, these shows have feeling. But not in the way I'd like them to. They scream overproduction and marketing and PROFIT. Granted, I know that Violet was off-Broadway where you are more than likely to find that kind of show. But that doesn't mean thought-provoking and truly MEANINGFUL shows are not fit for the Great White Way. Violet is a modest show with a GIANT heart and feeling for the human race, as corrupt as it is. I left the theater that night kind of numb. It touched me in some deep ways... kind of in the same way Sunday in the Park with George did.

I'm glad to see Violet being talked about a little more around here. :)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/31/04 at 12:46am

I had the privilege of seeing "Violet" during its run at Playwrights Horizons and instantly fell in love with the show and the score, which was my first encounter with the wonderful Jeanine Tesori, who was obviously a major new talent. The cast was was remarkable, especially Lauren Ward as Violet and Michael McElroy who stopped the show with "Let It Sing" (I also saw the reunion concert last year that brought them all back together).

I always thought that the show deserved a much longer and broader commercial life (the Playwrights run was only a month). That it never moved to Broadway (considering how superior it was and is to the vast majority of the musicals on Broadway) is really a shame -- then again, perhaps it would have had a similar fate on Broadway to "Caroline" (a strong cult following, but a short run).

[magruder]

Posted: 8/31/04 at 5:11am

I think a commercial move for Violet was in the works, until the show received a very chilly, dismissive review from Ben Brantley in the NY Times. I think the rest of the notices were generally enthusiastic or even raves, but Brantley's review put the brakes on. It's one of the occasions where I think he absolutely called it wrong. Clearly, though, there would not be any sense in mounting it again while he's still at the Times...
Ben Brantrley - Violet review

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 8/31/04 at 10:54am

How was the concert Margo? I wish i was able to see it. All 3 of those shows (Floyd, Falsettos, Violet) were soldout before I got tickets.