Max and Elsa songs: "How Can Love Survive?" And "No Way To Stop it"- Page 2

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/17/17 at 10:15am

One detail most people overlook or flat-out never realized about "No Way to Stop It" is that it is, by design, a Theodore Bikel show-piece: an upbeat, European-folk-influenced song built around a jaunty guitar strum that would enable their guitar-playing leading man to act while playing; the script directly indicates that his guitar-playing is an outlet for his conflicted emotions.

With other Captains (who were not familiar quadruple threats), the number became merely a character piece for the three grown-ups, instead of a moment designed around the specific talents of a unique Broadway performer.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 10/17/17 at 12:47pm

newintown said: "Gaveston asked, "And we don't really miss those songs, do we?"

I certainly do; I think they're the smartest, most interesting thing about that show. The rest is sentimental treacle. That's probably why they were cut; the movie appeals because it's several hours of sanitary, simpleminded sentiment. Without those songs, Elsa is an easily digestedtwo-dimensional bitch, and Maxa merely amusing decorative homosexual ornament."

Yeah, but with Hammerstein, it's honest treacle. As for the comedy numbers, they don't really measure up to "I Cain't Say No", "All or Nothin'" or "June Is Bustin' Out All Over". I suspect we like them because we haven't been listening to them in elevators for years.

And next time you watch, notice how Elsa and Max have non-musical scenes that give the same info in about 1/6 the time.

I had no idea groups were cutting the not-in-the-movie songs. That's abominable! I'm fine with adding "Confidence" because the last thing we need is a reprise of "Favorite Things". But Elsa and Max do NOT have the song-replacing scenes in the play, and they become as you described them.