Let's take this one step further: Best and worst OVERALL scores...meaning the comprehensive cohesive units. Anybody game?

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:15pm

Does that make sense? And I don't mean just bashing, I would like to see some considered opinions. The words "awesome" and "amazing" are not allowed. :)

I'll chime in after I've thought awhile myself...

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:23pm

Best scores?? Well there was that one guy in the cast of Hairspray...........

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:28pm

you're bad crazyatetheoneguyfromhairspary
but i hafta to admit, with a topic like best scores we had it comin'.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:30pm

.. and I forget to mention that other great score -- the guy who just did Big River in San Diego............

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:36pm

I heard he was an amazing talent ON STAGE!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:37pm

...yes, but even more so OFF stage

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 3:40pm

...I see

[bob8rich]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 4:11pm

Best Scores:
FOLLIES - a mixture of perfectly crafted character specific songs and gorgeous pastiche numbers. Sondheim's masterful lyrics are sometimes poignant and sometimes clinically incisive and the music ranges from hauntingly beautiful to melodiously soaring. ("In Buddy's Eyes", in particular, is a masterpiece of musical theater writing, "I'm Still Here" is as big a knockout solo as you will ever find in a musical, and who can forget the lilting counterpoint of "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through".)

and
RAGTIME - again a highly varied score that is powerful, dramatic, bouncy and melodious - mixing ragtime with gospel, jazz and classic Broadway arias. And the lyrics are witty, emotional and profound - developing character to perfection and advancing the plot in an unobtrusive fashion.

Worst score:
STARLIGHT EXPRESS - which achieves none of the above.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 4:14pm

i can see starlight express being a bad score, but i do love "Only He" which was in the original production, then taken away which was a HUGE mistake. It's the best song of the show.

The rendition sung by the late Stephanie Lawrence is unstoppable!

[tkts]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 4:17pm

I thought Oklahoma 77, Texas A&M 0 was a pretty bad score last Saturday. Especially if you root for A&M.

[Megan Marie]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 4:28pm

I agree fully with Starlight Express not achieving anything that makes a "good" musical.
West Side Story is still one of the best scores in my mind, because the music doesn't match the singing....yet it fits perfectly. If you can understand what I mean.
Sondhiem is a genius no matter which way you look at him. You can love him or hate him, but theres no other composer that can clone the sound of his music.
The Producers has a brilliant score as well. To create such raw humour is astonishing to me.

I know most people may not agree, and I think its awesome that everyone has their own opinions of these things. So please, out of respect for the people who share the same interests as you, don't cut people down for their own ideas, or claim their "wrong". Different ideas are what create great discussions, dont have arguements. I'm looking forward to what everyone has to say.

Megan Marie*

[Megan Marie]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 4:28pm

I agree fully with Starlight Express not achieving anything that makes a "good" musical.
West Side Story is still one of the best scores in my mind, because the music doesn't match the singing....yet it fits perfectly. If you can understand what I mean.
Sondhiem is a genius no matter which way you look at him. You can love him or hate him, but theres no other composer that can clone the sound of his music.
The Producers has a brilliant score as well. To create such raw humour is astonishing to me.

I know most people may not agree, and I think its awesome that everyone has their own opinions of these things. So please, out of respect for the people who share the same interests as you, don't cut people down for their own ideas, or claim their "wrong". Different ideas are what create great discussions, dont have arguements. I'm looking forward to what everyone has to say.

Megan Marie*

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 4:57pm

MisterRussell, where ya been?

Best Score: "Carousel", "Into the Woods" or "The Secret Garden"

Worst Score: "Nick & Snora" or "Blondel"

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 9:44pm

I agree with Ragtime. The score does indeed fit the show like a glove, and really enhances the story, and covers a wide range of musical styles and ranges as well.

[itstheM]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 10:18pm

It had to read nine posts before I found out what type of 'score' we were talking about. Welcome to the mind of a teenager.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 1:14pm

ha ha ha ha!!!!! I DID IT!!! I confused someone about it!! LOL! YAY!

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 1:19pm

Best: CAROUSEL

Worst: GOODTIME CHARLEY...everything about that show is bizarre!