Least Favorite Sondheim?

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 9:35am

Most people here really love Sondheim's music, and what he has done for theater. But is there a score/show of his that you just don't like? (Hard to fathom, right?)

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 9:44am

man, do i have to choose? i mean, i hate them all so passionately that to elevate one above the others seems unfair.

Posted: 5/23/04 at 10:15am

ASSASSINS is unequivocally at the bottom of my list.

J.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 10:33am

His SCORE for Assassins isn't the best, but the show is incredible; that's why it doesn't stick out in my mind as one of my least favorite scores. It kind of balances itself out.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 12:48pm

This is my first post-firing wall post...

I enjoy the ASSASSINS music, though confused in genre it may be.
THE FROGS is an extremely DIFFERENT Sondheim, what with a Greek chorus singing 9 out of the 12 songs. IT takes some getting used to, but as with most Sondheim (for me, at least) I grow into it.
Anyone know what I mean?

-d.b.j-

[Plum]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 1:05pm

I guess my least favorite Sondheim score would probably be Assassins, too. Or maybe Follies, which never seemed to grow on me- but I'm getting the concert version in a few days, so I'll probably change my mind on that.

That isn't to say I don't like the score of Assassins- I adore "The Gun Song," for instance, and "How I Saved Roosevelt" and "Unworthy of Your Love" are quite strong as well. But the score just isn't as beginning-to-end glorious as some of his others.

I understand what you mean, NM, about his scores growing on you. I first listened to Company because I knew it was an IMPORTANT MUSICAL, you know? And I didn't really like it that much. But the second time I heard it, I liked it more. By the third time, I was absolutely in love with the lyrics. By now, I even like the OBC's "Sorry-Grateful," which used to drive me nuts with its vocal style. But I think that once you open your ears to Sondheim's style, his scores grow on you much more quickly. I got used to the very strange Pacific Overtures within a couple of listens, for instance.

And papalovesmambo...I'm sorry you don't like Sondheim. Really. :)

[mebice]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 1:09pm

Same here papa...I just don't understand...everybody everywhere loves him to pieces...i just don't see it....his work does not do anything for me...i kinda wish it did so i could jump on the bandwagon..but alas...it does not!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 3:11pm

Anyone Can Whistle. And I know this isn't Sondheim but Grease and Hello Dolly.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 6:19pm

anyone can whistle is quiiite pathetic for sondheim...sorry. god though he may be, he is not god...erm...

-d.b.j-

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 6:37pm

While the book for Anyone Can Whistle is certainly....odd, the score is still quite good.

My least favorites are Follies and The Frogs (original score, haven't heard the new one yet). I tried to like Follies, but other than a couple of songs, it never worked for me. I can't stand the book. Ditto for The Frogs. Bounce is only slightly better.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 7:07pm

I hated the original FOLLIES, but then I listened to the concert version and i just LOVED it. It is just so incredible. FOLLIES originally didn't grow on me, i liked probably two songs, then I listened to the concert and i loved practically all of them, I still don't like "Live, Laugh, Love". Which brings me to my point. Really you have to have a good or great performance in order for a Sondheim show to work.
You need the following: great dictation, great stage presence, carrying a tune isn't a huge requirement but it does make the song nicer.
My least favorite, please don't hate me for this, is SWEENY. I do like "Not while I'm Around" and "Worst Pies in London" not to mention "A Little Priest" But everything else to me isn't so good.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 7:22pm

Really? Wow. I don't hate you; I'm just puzzled. :) What about "Green Finch an Linnet Bird?" Or "Johanna"? (The sweet versions, not Judge Turpin's rendition) I guess I found Sweeney pretty easy to swallow because I was raised on opera.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 7:29pm

I love Sweeney, but Judge Turpin's Johanna scares me just a bit. Okay, more than a bit.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 7:41pm

Sweeney is my favorite musical ever. BUUUUUT i dont care for GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD.

-d.b.j-

[Plum]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 8:11pm

Judge Turpin's "Johanna" is the single most disturbing song I've ever heard in a musical.

And I have to disagree with you, NM; I love "Green Finch and Linnet Bird," at least on the OBC. It's horribly shrill and annoying the film version, so if you saw that first I understand your dislike of it.

[Elphie]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 8:47pm

Into the Woods out of the 5 Sondheims I have seen. I thought the music was repetive and boring at points. The music didnt hold my attention.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 8:51pm

INTO THE WOODS is by far my fave, and I hate everything about SWEENEY, but particularly the score.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 9:15pm

I'm probably going to get lynched for this, but I think Sunday In the Park With George is th worst musical ever.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 9:20pm

k, "green finch and linnet bird" is pretty good. but really, i never liked SWEENEY.

[directorkid]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 9:49pm

definatley Follies or Company but i haven't seen Anyone Can Whistle or Merrily We Role Along so....

[Plum]

Posted: 5/23/04 at 11:30pm

Oh, come on. There have to be things out there that are worse than Sunday (which I admit I love). How about Laughing Room Only?

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 5/24/04 at 12:07am

Most sondheims i have to listen to a couple times before i really get into them. Most of his songs dont grab me and pull me from my seat, but once i get them down i will get chills down my back as i listen.

I have to say that if i were to choose the worst would be Company, but i only heard it once, although i heard getting married today a while ago and had time to absorb it and i absolutly adore it. Im sure if i had more time i would appreciate the reast of the show

So, to sum things up, i dont want to rate them as worst. I would rather list my top 3 favorites

1 - Assasins
2 - Into the woods
3 - Sweeney Todd

Updated On: 5/24/04 at 12:07 AM

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 5/24/04 at 2:17am

can we get some sondheim love here...where is robbie, namo and redhot...help me out here!

Posted: 5/24/04 at 2:25am

Paciffic Overtures
and I have to say Sunday in the Park With George. I never really got it. I really wanted to like this show and I have given it many chances. I really like the message but I think he could have written a much better score for it.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/24/04 at 5:54am

How can we have mentioned almost every show without bringing up Passion? Ugh and Ick. Passion is long and uninvolving. The score has it's strong points, but not nearly as memorable as everything else he's every done. The opening number is quite wonderful put after that it goes whooshing down hill.

KC