Joe Brooks' METROPOLIS

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:46am

Hey All -

I'm doing some research into this one.

Does anyone know if the recording offered on JAY Records is any good? It's a double-album, with almost 30-someodd tracks. Any idea as to whether the music is any good, plot has substance? I know Joe Brooks wrote it (and yes, I am admittedly a fan of IN MY LIFE -- Never did see it, but from the songs I've heard, my ears were happy). Also, if anyone knows which company handles the rights to the show, let me know? Any and all insight appreciated.

Best,
- Mike
Updated On: 12/3/08 at 12:46 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:28am

Anyone, anyone?

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:29am

Run as far away from Joe Brooks as is humanly possible.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:36am

I really like this show, back when it first opened in London "Time" did a huge five page spread on the show. The sets where stunning, the opening number used to be on you tube, but I have not seen it on there for quite awhile.

Give the show a go as with everything, some like, some love, some hate.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:40am

Based on the movie?!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:40am

Limelight check your PM's

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:44am

Scary, yes the Musical is based on the Fritz Lange movie

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:46am

Wow, I have got to check this out. That could be awesome onstage. Story's very simple and theatrical, and you can't go wrong with sets and costumes that have that art deco retro-future look.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:53am

All from the London Production

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:54am

Scary would you like a copy of the CD?

[cello_dude]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:54am

did this come out in the 80's?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:55am

That it did!!


More Info on the show

[cello_dude]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:17am

The 80's are thought of as a revival of art deco of which the movie, that this show was based on, was a very important part of. The lacquered wood, geometric shapes, and bronze and mirrors

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 3:45am

Scary, turn on your pm's!!

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:51am

I like this show personally. Well, I like the recording anyway. Judy Kuhn is stellar as usual. Brian Blessed...um...The song, "You Are The Light" has a very special place in my heart because the artistic directors of the theatre I do shows at in Norwell used the song as the closing number for their own original show, "Gloryland."

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:09pm

I have the CD as well, and always consider it a guilty pleasure. I agree that "You are the Light" is quite a good song, and once you hear it, you'll sing its hymn-like refrain the rest of the day. Kuhn works very, very hard in the dual roles, and you can hear how effective she must've been. The score's principal anthem, repeated in different contexts, is a dark song about never seeing the sun that has a haunting, ALW-like feel to it. I forgot the title, it either has "sun" or "dark" or "night" but it's sung with blaring sirens and a swelling chorus and does suggest some of the power of the piece. (It's first sung after a little child is ground up in the machinery ... which partially explains why the show doesn't travel across the Atlantic...)

Sidebar about "You Are The Light." I had the album when I briefly lived in LA and used to go hear Marianne Williamson speak. I used to play "...Light" int he car and began to think of it as (new age minister) Williamson's song, even though she doesn't have a damned thing to do with it. It fit her, curiously. Ah, the power of associations.

Updated On: 12/3/08 at 12:09 PM

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:11pm

Mattbrain - you do shows at Company? I did Little Shop with them when I was 11 years old. That's where I first heard "You Are The Light" as well! Give Zoe and Jordie my love next time you talk to them! They rock!

And agreed - the score for this show is actually pretty great. Some amazing standouts song-wise. Have actually thought several times of putting up a concert of it if I thought anyone would show up! Then again, I think there are some really pretty songs from In My Life too.

[once a month]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:16pm

I was so excited when the double CD became available. I was ripped off by the record store on the corner of 49th and b'way. I finally agreed to pay the 'unheard of' price of $45
after much soul searching. When I returned home, I found an additional $20 topped onto the charge...$65! At the time, I did nothing about it!

Anyway, I liked some of the score very much, but just hated the idea of the Judy Kuhn robot, lol- no offense Judy, just despised the plot. Haven't had a listen in years.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:32pm

Definitely a guilty pleasure.

Love "The Sun"
"Only Love" (the big duet in act I, I think that's what it's called).

Judy Kuhn does a decent job given the material.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:41pm

I saw this show at the Piccaddilly Theatre so long ago. The house tabs were replaced with a massive construction with the title Metropolis, looking as if carved into bronze. It split open horizontally as the show began.

This was a very painful production, with a lovely, huge 80s set designed by Ralph Koltai, and choreography by Tom Job (original Arbiter in Chess)- very Vogue and 80's angular robotics.

The story became increasingly convoluted but there were some nice anthems, which sounded like they had been cut from Les Mis. I remember thinking this was another missed opportunity- it could have been challenging but became mush.

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:44pm

i have the CD and the recording level is quite poor. The material is lovely sometimes but then you have a hideous number like Futura's Dance. I saw the show in London when i was 18 and enjoyed the staging.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:47pm

Yea, the production on the cd is awful. And I agree about Futura's Dance.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:50pm

I will do so, Jamie!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:53pm

I love this score, but the recording is not very good. Kuhn is amazing, nominated for the Olivier Award, losing to Lea Salonga.

Pics from the original production are in photo section of my profile.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:04pm

Jonathan Adams? As in Dr. Scott in "Rocky Horror Picture Show" Jonathan Adams? And Judy Kuhn? I'm there.