Least Favorite Sondheim? — Page 2

For all the people who say sweeney rocks THANKYOU (cause it does) and Judge Turpin's Joanna also freaks the hell out of me, but i love everything else especiall priest! I haven't heard all of sondheim but i'm getting sunday in the park, follies,and a little night music and if i hate 'em (prolly won't) i'll tell ya

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Leo - Here I am to save the day!!!! ( thats my Mighty Mouse impersonation...)...I just can't find anything to dislike about any of the sondheim scores. I will admit that I've not given The Frogs a decent listening lately - but I intend to soon (been moving and that takes a lot of energy!)...
I was in Sunday in the Park with George and cried during the final scene (among others) at every performance for 6 months straight. It is some of the most moving music ever written, and to perform it has been the unequivocable (sp?) highlight of my career. I've also done a production of Sweeney Todd and felt the same way when I was in that one - simply breathtaking the way that man writes. And so much fun to perform! I look forward to anything else he may come up with during his time here on earth, and when we lose him, it will be a very sad day for the Theatre.
By the way - why is this post here, anyway? Whats the point in trying to find a piece that you don't like - when there are so many things out there to love...I say let's see the glass as half full and try to fill it up from there!

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and I hate to say this but although you can certainly like or dislike anyone you want, it is hard for me to understand those who don't at least like some of his scores. When Stephen is gone, who will take his place? This man has singlehandedly changed Broadway and is a gigantic creative force in the theater. Bravo, Stephen S

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Leo, oh leo...

If people don't get it, they just don't get it.

HOWEVER, I will say I find PASSION to be his least accessible score for me.

But COMPANY...best cast album there is.

MERRILY...heartbreakingly beautiful.

SUNDAY...Brilliant for it's ability to capture both the artistic process and an entire style of painting and do it in terms that are emotionally engaging.

FOLLIES...pastiche has never been better. ASSASSAINS follows closely on that point.

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Re: PASSION

If PASSION isn't a score you've warmed up to, try listening to a most excellent recording produced by Bruce Kimmel several years ago. The Terry Trotter Trio, PASSION IN JAZZ.

I mentioned this about a year ago in the Broadway in Jazz threads we had going.

The Trotter series of Sondheim scores is just great. The first in the series, the PASSION recording, is superlative and one in which the true melodic line comes through uninterruped.

If you love Broadway and Jazz, this is a must for your collection. Be warned though, sometimes it can be tough to find.

Updated On: 5/24/04 at 02:50 PM

Passion is without a doubt my favorite Sondheim show. I think the score is complex and gorgeous. Musicalizing that story was a major feat and I think he did it well. It never becomes cute or gimmicky or over-the-top. If you don't care for somber shows or conventional scores, it certainly won't appeal to you, but I find it incredibly artistic and thought-provoking. I never get tired of it.

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I was gonna write ALNM...but got called away!!!

The genius of that score (and indeed the entire show) is just so obvious!

I highly recommend the RNT production w/ Judi Dench. It's actually not my favorite cast (Ms. Dench didn't capture the wistfulness of the role that Glynis Johns did so beautifully), but the orchestrations are sumptuous, the tempi are remarkable and the extended GLAMOROUS LIFE is a treasure.

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I adored that telecast...and the next year, they remounted it w/ much of the same cast and I got to see it live. Gorgeous.

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I went Eve Harrington on Maureen Moore when I saw her in Gypsy and said "I saw you thirteen years ago in A Little Night Music over at City Opera, you are so amazing!" Or something to that extent.... Regina Resnik is the definitive Madame Armfeldt.

COMPANY is just magnificent. As is FOLLIES, however, like I said before, FOLLIES took more time to grow on me. I like INTO THE WOODS, it's a bit campy (in a good sense) and fun, but the lyrics are so very clever, and at some times moving. I haven't heard all of SUNDAY..., I have heard "Moving on" and 'Putting it Together" both of which i LOVE. I also have seen the revue PUTTING IT TOGETHER, with Carol Burnett. I liked it a lot. It really showcased most of his great songs. But Sondheim has also written some of the best solo songs written for an actor. Examples are:

The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues
Ladies Who Lunch
Broadway Baby
I'm Still Here
Last Midinight
Giants in the Sky (really good for the teenager)
I Know Things Now (Same as "Giants")
Worst Pies in London
and sooooooo many more

He really does take time to adapt to. Some more than others, the one show I fell in love with right away though was COMPANY. Oh god, i love that show.

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Oh my goodness. I'm listening to Mandy Patinkin's rendition of "Buddy's Blues" for the first time right now, and I think that track alone is enough to start redeeming Follies for me.

Edit: And now Barbara Cook is singing "Losing My Mind." Wow. I'm almost starting to like this musical.

So what's my least favorite Sondheim now? I might change my answer after I hear Evening Primrose and The Frogs.

-Plum, who just picked up a big ol' Sondheim shipment. :)

Updated On: 5/24/04 at 09:28 PM

Yes, those came earlier in the CD. I think I'd like Elaine Stritch singing anything. :) And even though I normally love cast recordings, the applause and laughter were nice. In some tracks, you can really feel the excitement in there. This is a far more lively recording than the OBC. Much better.

Must listen to it again...