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Les Mis vs. Sweeney — Page 3

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#51

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:03pm


"les mis isn't all it's cracked up to be"

That's fine.

I know a lot of people who have been working int the theatre (on Broadway and off) for many, many years. A lot of them don't think Sondheim is all he's cracked up to be.

Mama Korey

The Beauty Is: Kelli O'Hara Online

#52

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:05pm

11. Pacific Overtures
12. Showboat
13. Anything Goes
14. Anyone Can Whistle
15. The Cradle Will Rock
16. Three Penny Opera
17. Into the Woods
18. Gypsy
19. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
20. Assassins
21. Caroline, or Change
22. Carousel
23. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
24. Parade
25. South Pacific
#53

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:06pm

I like your taste, MEF!!!

I can't fault any of your choices!
#54

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:07pm

"I know a lot of people who have been working int the theatre (on Broadway and off) for many, many years. A lot of them don't think Sondheim is all he's cracked up to be."


True, but I think if you poll of actors, playwrights, and composers you'll find that an overwhelming majority will attest to Sondheim's brilliance.
#56

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:08pm

Why thank you! Your taste is exquisite as well.
#58

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:10pm

Here's a top ten list I just came up with, so I'll be changing it quite a bit:

1. Caroline, or Change
2. Sunday in the Park with George
3. Sweeney Todd
4. A Little Night Music
5. Passion
6. Assassins
7. Pacific Overtures
8. The Wild Party (LaChiusa)
9. Parade
10. Kiss Me, Kate
#60

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:13pm

Let me explain my feeling about Sweeney.

I understand Sweeney is abour revenge.

The first time after I watching Sweeney, I told to myself, "hey , see how great this show is. It is so sophisticated. It is not a show to scare the kids. It shows the power of hate. How a man can be driven crazy by hate. It is so cool and powerful."

But this is not a show that I would like to watch again and again. For Les Miz, Gypsy or Fiddler, I would. But this one, no way.

When I watch Les Miz, or Gypsy or Fiddler, I don't have time to think. I was swept by the passion. In the end, if I cry, I will cry in a happy way.

Sweeney deals with the darkest, ugliest point of human being. Yes, life is a mess. In real life, we have a lot trouble enough. I really don't want to experience this again and again, especially in such an extreme way.

I don't mean Mr.Sondheim intend to show his intelligence in his work. What I don't like is that his intelligence is too much sometimes. It is like the point of "Gee, see how smart Mr.Sondheim is !" is everywhere in the show.

#61

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:15pm

My on-going:

26. Falsettos
27. Ragtime
28. The Wild Party (LaChiusa)
29. A New Brain
30. Amour
31. The Last 5 Years
32. Nine
33. Side Show
34. Elegies, a Song Cycle
35. The Music Man
36. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
37. The Secret Garden
38. Les Miserables
39. Little Me
40. Songs for a New Wold
41. Romance in Hard Times
42. Little Shop of Horrors
43. Bells are Ringing!
44. Grand Hotel
45. Once on This Island
46. A Man of No Importance
47. Floyd Collins
48. The Baker's Wife
49. Carnival
50. Rent
#62

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:16pm

"I don't mean Mr.Sondheim intend to show his intelligence in his work. What I don't like is that his intelligence is too much sometimes. It is like the point of "Gee, see how smart Mr.Sondheim is !" is everywhere in the show. "

Exactly.

After seeing Sweeney, I was left saying - "Oh, that's it?"
Mama Korey

The Beauty Is: Kelli O'Hara Online

#63

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:17pm

Fabulous list, mef. Once on This Island and Ragtime should be on my list too, but I'm not sure what I'd bump off.

#64

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:17pm

But see that's what I'm saying. That's not the point in the work at all. I honestly didn't have to think to see what was going on. I do that when I listen to it and play through it. I sat in the theatre and said wow look at this plot, how will this end.

Mind you different strokes for different folks. I don't mind that you don't like Sweeney or anything that is unhopeful. Like I said before I take issue in saying that it's not good because of that. I mean I've already brought up Shakespear and greek drama. That's what I really wanted to address
#65

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:17pm

I'd raather see a show that challenges me, intellectually and emotionally, and makes me examine myself and my life than show where everything is spoon-fed to you.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

Updated On: 4/3/05 at 02:17 PM

#66

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:20pm

"Fabulous list, mef. Once on This Island and Ragtime should be on my list too, but I'm not sure what I'd bump off."

Thanks! I know, it's hard.

"I'd rather see a show that challenges me, intellectually and emotionally, and makes me examine myself and my life than s how where everything is spoon-fed to you."

Why can't everybody be as smart as you?


#68

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:22pm

heh I think you should watch it thenardier. No one's personally attacked anyone here. we're having a friendly albeit heated debate. That's wonderful. Not personally attacking the creators. THat's low.
#69

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:22pm

Different age has different requirement.

I have an aunt. She is a very intelligent and sophisticated doctor. Yet now she likes to watch the stupidest sitcom. Cause she had seen too much tragedy, darkness in real life.



Updated On: 4/3/05 at 02:22 PM

#70

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:24pm

Exactly, Priest. The character of Sweeney really is one of the greatest characters written for musical theatre. His emotions are so true-to-life, which is most noticable in "Epiphany". This man is driven to the point of madness from the loss of his wife and child after having been locked unjustly for years. I wouldn't want an uplifting ending in Sweeney; it would seem like a cop-out.
#71

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:26pm

Jazzy,

I am just saying. Obviously I am not a big Sondheim fan. I think he should stop now, before he horrible rubbish.

I mean, The Frogs....Assassins def. didn't match Sweeney....

He's done almost everything.

Maybe he should write a rhyming dictionary for the musical theatre.
Mama Korey

The Beauty Is: Kelli O'Hara Online

#72

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:26pm

"Les Mis did that too...in a more round about way."
The only thing I really got out of Les Mis was a bunch of pretty melodies sung by people with pretty voices. There wasn't much else there.

Now, the book is a different matter. Love, and got a lot out of, the book. I love Victor Hugo.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#73

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:27pm

Sweeney Todd. Why? It's plain brilliant, where Les Miz is not. I mean, how many times do you have to repeat a damn theme? Not to mention, Les Miz is overly dramatic. So is Sweeney, but it's not to the point where the audience actually has to groan.
#74

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:29pm

The only thing I really got out of Les Mis was a bunch of pretty melodies sung by people with pretty voices. There wasn't much else there.

I think I was that way with Sweeney.

When it ended, I said, "Ok." It was seriously like one of the example speaking sections I had for AP spanish class.
Mama Korey

The Beauty Is: Kelli O'Hara Online

#75

re: Les Mis vs. Sweeney

Posted: 4/3/05 at 2:29pm

Well, to me, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables is the most heartbreaking and cruel song . It is cruel because it is so TRUE.


Updated On: 4/3/05 at 02:29 PM

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