Little Women Discussion

#1

Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 6:28pm

I just got the Little Women CD. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, that's why I held off so long. But wow, I really like it. There really aren't any songs that I think are "bad." Its one of those CDs I could listen to all the way through. Its interesting because I don't normally go for this kind of musical. So my question is, what was wrong with the show? I'm guessing the book had to have been the main problem? Although, I don't like Danny Gurwin's voice. Its way too much vibratto.

#2

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 6:43pm

I wish I could be specific, but nothing worked for me about that show. I think that when you are taking something so beloved by so many that you have to really do something better then mediore with it.

#3

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 6:53pm

I really liked it when I saw it... the acting and singing, sets, costumes, and music were really nice. I noticed that most of the audience were little kids with their mothers/grandparents so maybe it was because the audience was limited

#4

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:01pm

Zzzzzzzzzzz......

So bland.
So plastic.
It had a few moments, but not enough to make for an exciting or even particularly interesting musical.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#5

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:09pm

I love your posts, Margo.
And, Parks, I'm not a fan of Gurwin's voice, either. Give me the '94 film version and Christian Bale, please.

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No one is alone.

#6

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:10pm

See, I really liked it. I thought it was a sweet, good-natured show that, although it didn't necessarily capture the essence of the novel, really made me feel good when I saw it. It doesn't take itself too seriously (with the exception of "Astonishing," although I still love that number), and that tends to make me love a show.

Granted, I saw it with my mother and my four sisters, so we were bound to enjoy it anyway.

Updated On: 11/26/06 at 07:10 PM

#7

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:10pm

the book wasn't memorable and the advertising killed it.

#8

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:13pm

It was just a really awful adaptation. I've always said that "Little Women" would make a great musical and I still say it--I don't know what went wrong, but it seemed like one of the easiest sources to turn into a compelling, wonderful musical and they just failed miserably. It was so boring... and sloppy. There wasn't anything holding it together.

I don't mind the score, though, and I liked the cast a whole lot (with a few exceptions).

#9

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:14pm

Yep, a couple decent songs (and 3 good cast members) does not make a great show. I found the major problem to be the book. There's simply nothing happening...for 2 and a half hours. The show starts, we get a LOT of songs, and then the show stops. It simply doesn't say anything.

Yes, Sutton, Maureen, and Danny were all terrific. But they were stuck in a boring show.

#10

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 7:22pm

I saw the show before hearing the entire score and aside from the songs on the five song sampler cd, I could not remember any songs. Needless to say, it wasn't my favorite. I still bought the cast recording because I loved "Days of Plenty" and I ended up enjoying the score more on the cd. The orchestrations are quite good actually. I guess it had to grow on me. There are still some songs I can't bear to listen to though. ("Could You?", "I'd Be Delighted", and "The Most Amazing Thing")

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A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.

#11

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 8:27pm

I agree with Margo and Keaton. It was plain boring. Nothing good about it. I bought the cd and to see if it'd would grow on me, and i sold it because after listening to it for about 15 times i couldn't bare it anymore.

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#12

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 8:34pm

I enjoyed the LITTLE WOMEN tour very much when I saw it in San Diego. I thought the sets were absolutely amazing. "Astonishing" was fantastic, easily one of my favorite act one finales and I'd probably say that that show itself is one of my new favorite musicals from the past few years.

#13

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 8:55pm

My mom took me to see Little Women for my birthday last year and I thought it was nothing special. Amazing cast, but with the exception of 'Astonishing', I really didn't enjoy any of the songs. My mom thorougly enjoyed it though.

#14

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 8:59pm

i very much enjoyed the show when i saw it on broadway, and it turned into one of my faves
but then after awhile, i started to think back on it, and the book had A LOT of problems i thought. just very basic writing and corny at times.
but still a pleasant show and im glad you like the cd!

#15

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:33pm

One word, ADVERTISING.

The commericials said "for mothers and daughters." Well that's just dandy because men NEVER PAY for tickets and NEVER GO WITH THEIR WIVES.

I am man and I LOVED it.

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"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

#16

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:41pm

As a life long lover of the novel, I can honestly say that no actress (in any of the films) has been able to capture the character of Jo March until Sutton Foster. She was Jo 100%. Also, Maureen McGovern was incredible if slightly under used (though that keeps with the novel). As for the show itself, it had quite a few week points, but it also had some very touching parts that I left the theatre thinking about.

So, like so many other shows, it was a flawed but enjoyable experience.

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www.GreatestStar.blogspot.com

#17

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:41pm

A man and you LOVED it? gay is more like it. Guess you think MM is straight, too? Oh Marmie.

#18

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:43pm

LOL who is MM?

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#19

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:46pm

The ever-fabulous got to be a morning after (and I don't mean the pill) Maureen McGovern. A granola bar from way back.

#20

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:47pm

I got a lesbian-vibe from her...

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#21

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:49pm

perpetual- you seem to be very up-to-date on everyone's private lives. What's in your closet?

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www.GreatestStar.blogspot.com

#22

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/17/06 at 9:55pm

just my lil old Morning After 45 and a couple of Blueboys. (not theGainesborough variety)

#23

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/18/06 at 9:12am

My problems with Little Women were much the same problems I had with Wicked - nice show, dreadful adaptation. So many of the wonderful characters were adapted so poorly. The actors were doing their best with what they were given, but they just weren't the characters I cherished. Laurie and Professor Bhaer were especially off. Laurie was just a goofball, and the professor was far too stodgy.

I agree that Little Women would make a fantastic musical, if done appropriately.

#24

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/18/06 at 10:23am

When I saw it, I just remember saying: I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite show by any means.

Compared to most Broadway shows I've seen, this one just didn't excite me and draw me in like many of the other ones. It was probably the story that made me angry. I never read Little Women, but I was so annoyed when the smallest sister and Laurie end up together.

Also, I hated the part of JO's eventual husband. I forget his name. Whenever he sang a song, which didn't really happen much until Act 2, I wanted to tell him to shut up because you just didn't feel any emotion or sympathy for the character. He was very blah and just in the backround.

Astonishing and Some Things Are Meant to Be were my favorite parts. And of course, Sutton Foster.

#25

re: Little Women Discussion

Posted: 3/18/06 at 5:35pm

I can't wait to see the tour. I'm excited because I've never read the book or see the movie, so it will be interesting to see what I get out of it. I really like "small umbrella in the rain" "volcano press" "astonishing" "some things are meant to be" and "take a chance on me." I have to say I really like all the songs. yes, some of them are better in the context of the show like with "the most amazing thing." I would really listen to it on the Cd, but i can see why its in the show. I didn't think I was going to like all of MM's songs, but I really did. I can see how the show could be boring for people. In a world where we love Lion King and Wicked and really fast paced musicals, I could see this show sorta dragging.