Michael John LaChiusa- Page 2

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 3:55pm

nooo, I would definitely put FLS last.

You really have to have a complete sense of his nuances to begin to appreciate the score.

Well, even so. It's one that you can apprecitae differently. Like, I prefer the Eisenhower and Hitch sections better than the Kennedy sequence.

Mister Matt - The SILENT MOVIE sequence on the CR is such a throw away.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:39pm

Well, with a subject line such as this I must chime in!

Every single word and note Michael John LaChiusa writes is brilliant. Every. Single. One. His scores are so dense, and the lyrics so intricate that it will take a while to fully digest everything in the score. And even then, each time you listen you will find more nuances and details you did not notice before. But there are numberous melodies and passages that you will fall in love with immidiately.

HELLO AGAIN was my first exposure to MJL. I think its a perfect introduction to his style, as each scene takes place in a different decade. Therefore, one immidiately recognizes his diversity and ease in moving from vastly different styles while still retaining a coherent whole. HELLO AGAIN musically runs the gamut from a German cabaret song to a doo-wop song to a disco number to an 80s rock song. It's breathtakingly innovate. I'd definently suggest that first. Plus, a cast that includes Donna Murphy, Carolee Carmello, Malcolm Gets and John Cameron Mitchell is not to be missed!

After that, I'd get THE WILD PARTY. It is my absolute favorite show/score of all time and I really don't have the energy to put across how... genius... it all is. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect.

MARIE CHRISTINE is really an opera, "a new musical" as it is billed. But it is innately theatrical, and is similar to CAROLINE, OR CHANGE somewhat, in its style. MUCH, MUCH better... but there are certain similarities.

FIRST LADY SUITE is the most difficult to get into, but is a very intricate and delicate score.

Also, remember the SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE cast recording comes out in a few weeks and I think this may be MJL's most accessible score to date. Save up for that one! (Pre-orders are availible at www.sh-k-boom.com).

ANY MJL is good MJL. You really can't go wrong. Give yourself over to his brilliance, you will not be disappointed. I promise.

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[children&art]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:43pm

delicate - that is a perfect way to describe "First Lady Suite" to someone. when our theatre company performed it in dallas a couple of seasons ago we used our small intimate 70 seat basement space and it was perfection and fit the show perfectly.

[Labashier]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:50pm

Is anyone familiar with or does anyone know anything about "Lucky Nurse"? I picked up the script + score for $15 the last time I was at the Samuel French Bookstore. I haven't gotten around to playing through the entire thing, but what I've skimmed through has been fascinating. Very 20th century harmonically, as one would expect from LaChiusa, but it's VERY minimalist. The pianist rarely plays chords with more than two or three notes.

[Scottie310]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 10:19pm

I love his music. It is so rich and intricate. I have only heard The Wild Party and Marie Christine, but I love both of them so much. I really want to get Hello Again, it will probably the next CD I buy. If he actually does read the boards-Keep up the good work Mr. LaChiusa