NO STRINGS- Page 2

[newintown]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 10:58am

"It may be stronger, but my guess is that it isn't strong enough to make this libretto work in the 21st Century."

I couldn't agree more; if the Encores! version is anything to go by, the only way this show could succeed would be on Jackman-esque star quality from the leads. It's a really mild, rather soporific show (at least it was with Maya Days and James Naughton); the score never rises above somewhat attractive or mildly amusing.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 11:57am

I don't know, henrik. I really don't know the true production history, but the climax of the play (for some reason I have the published libretto) is motivated by the leading couple realizing that the idyll they have enjoyed in Paris will be impossible to reproduce in the U.S.

Gaveston, it's been a long time since I read Rodgers' autobiography, Musical Stages, but I'm pretty sure it corroborates your take on the matter. He definitely discusses race as a theme of the show, as well as the choice to keep it low-key.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 8:23pm

Would love to read the script. Any ideas where I could?

Random House printed a huge run of the libretto, expecting the "new Richard Rogers musical" to be a bigger hit. So many libraries and used bookstores have it.

***

henrik, it's true that Barbara would be giving up her glamorous life as a Parisian model to live in a cabin in Maine while David writes; but there are lines that gently clue us in to the racial subtext.

To wit:

BARBARA
But (Paris) is my home! My safe and beautiful world.

(Notice she emphasizes "safe", not glamorous.

***

On the subject of whether they will attend local dances in Maine:

DAVID
Of course, we'll go!

BARBARA
Once. To show we're not cowards.

***

DAVID
Look, Barbara, it's not going to be easy, we both know that--

BARBARA
Of course we know it! We're neither one of us fools. It won't be like Paris!

DAVID
(grimly)
No. No one's going to ask you to dinner at Maxim's. You'll be alone a lot of the time.

(In other words, not only will you not be invited to Maxim's, you won't be invited anywhere.)

***

David later refers to Maine as not just difficult, but "impossible" for Barbara. And this is after she has agreed she will happily give up her glamorous life in Paris.

I think the subtest was clear in the early 1960s.

But other posters have reminded me that we no longer assume a mixed-race relationship will make the couple pariahs. So I don't know how the play would even make sense today.

Because if it's just that he needs quiet to write and she needs nightlife, that is too superficial a problem for my time.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 8:24pm

Thanks, kdogg. I wish I'd seen your post first. MUSICAL STAGES is much better reading than NO STRINGS. LOL.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 11:14pm

Thanks, Gaveston, I didn't realize the conflict was so apparent. Like Newintown, I was underwhelmed by the show when I saw it at Encores, probably moreso, as I - some people will shoot me for this - left at intermission.