Originals vs. Revivals

[achancetofly]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 7:49pm

How does everyone feel about shows that have been revived?

Like, when it comes to listening to cast recordings, what do you usually reach for?


Which shows would you like to see revived, and which revivals, if any, do you think have been unnecessary?


As for me, when it comes to cast recordings, I know that I tend to enjoy certain revival casts more than originals, such as the Kiss Me, Kate! cast recording. In the revival cast, the music and singing just seems so more energetic and fun, even though I do love to harken back to the old Broadway days.


What does everyone think?


(and I'm a new member, so forgive me if this thread has been done before.)

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 8:01pm

It depends very much on the production. Some revivals are fantastic and improve upon the originals, some are fairly new reconceptions and stand along side the original and some are just a waste of time.

Into the Woods ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS is the original for me. The revival just makes me crabby.

Right now the Sweeney revival is getting more play than the original, or the concert version. But, it's likely that the revival is just the du jour for me and will again be surpassed by the original at some point.

Kiss Me, Kate is definitely one revival that I enjoy over the original.

ETA: Welcome to the boards, and thanks for not being a moron.

Updated On: 7/3/06 at 08:01 PM

[HeartandMusic]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 8:37pm

Hello achancetofly. I'm a new member too! Um....I completely agree with colleen when it comes to Into the Woods, noone can outdo Bernadette Peters as the Witch. Ever. In my opinion, anyway. : )
I also prefer the 1998 revival of Cabaret (which I am listening to right now, as it so happens) to the original. Oh! And I love the 2003 Gypsy revival cast more so than I do the original. Can you tell that Bernadette Peters is my favorite actress? Anyway,

Other than the revivals I mentioned above, If I'm unfamiliar with a show I will usually listen to the original cast album first, before looking at anything done by a revival cast.

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 9:17pm

I tend to go for the revivals instead of the originals unless I'm told differently. The shows that are being revived in a lot of cases are from decades ago and the music reflects that. It's either too quiet or just the wrong instruments and I like the newer music. Not sure how much sense that made, but I like revivals more

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 9:22pm

I'm also prone to go for the revival, unless the original cast has somebody I love in it or else the revival cast just sucks, ala Into the Woods. I love the Assassins OOBC, but the revival gets more play just because it sounds slicker and fuller.

[achancetofly]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 9:23pm

Yeah, I totally agree with you on Into the Woods, colleen and HeartandMusic. No one can do the Witch like Bernadette Peters...she just....has that essence.

As for the Sweeney revival...I know so many people are going to hate me for this....but I just..I can't stand it. I really just don't like the idea of doing a minimalist Sweeney...I really think it just cheapens the show. What I love about it so much (And mind, I never got to see the original show performed, so I'm just relying on the 1982 TV version with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury) is just..the atmosphere of the entire show. It's so amazing, with the washed out colors of the sets to show such a drab, depressing London...and it's just so great. I can't accept the revival.

And even though I love Patti LuPone...I am so sorry, but she will NEVER EVER EVER be Mrs. Lovett for me. Ugh. No. ESPECIALLY not in a freaking TOP HAT and fishnet stockings....Yick.

Annnd yay, ranting is good for the soul.

[achancetofly]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 9:26pm

And also, you're welcome for not being a moron, I guess? Hah.

I tend to avoid message boards simply because of that reason. I tend to frequent LiveJournal as my blog/message board type thing of choice. So message boards are kind of a new thing for me, and in my experience with them, I never usually post because of the strangeness and immaturity of many members on them, hah.


*sings to Tick, Tick..BOOM*

Sorry, just can't stop listening to it...I just saw it in LA at the Coronet Theatre and I'm addicted.

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:05pm

Have you seen the revival yet? I had a difficult time warming up to it, being a bit of a Hearn/Lansbury snob myself, but the revival doesn't just do the typical Sweeney with a scaled-down set - it's completely reimagined.

[achancetofly]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:39pm

No, I haven't seen it yet...just little clips here and there from press junket stuff. I've actually been trying to be a little more open-minded about it, as so many friends say that they like it, so I am getting a little curious.

It's just that I cling so dearly to my Sondheim...I'm so scared for my Sweeney. I get so scared when I see the lovely Sweeney flippy-hair thrown away for Michael Cerveris' shiny dome...*sniff*

If I lived in NYC, I'd probably go see it out of curiousity, but I live on the west coast, so...nope.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:42pm

achancetofly: Do you have the reviavl cast recording? If you don't, you really should get it. It is so very much worth it simlpy for Manoel Felicano's rendition of Not While I'm Around (Even thought the whole CD is amazing)

I love the revivals of Sweeney Todd, Assassins, and Cabaret.

[MrSweetNAwful]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:24pm

ITW is strictly original for me
The only real Cabaret to me is the revival
with sweeney if I want the whole story I'll listen to the orginal if I want some flare (which is an oxymoron with this, sice it's stripped down) I'll listen to the revival.
A lot of revivals are better, they usually include more music and a fuller orchestra.
But seriously whats up with the Sweeney revival CD!?!? The first act bleeds over into the second disc and they cut Wigmaker, The Letter and City on Fire!?

One predicament I have is with Assassins.
The deaths on the original sound more realistic
The music on the revival is much much more full (plus it has Broke)
The original has the complete LHO scene
The revival has more dialogue
I like the revival Zangara and NPH, Cantone is funny too.
Cerveris and Garber are 50/50
and in the original Squeaky sucks, but in the revival Moore sucks. The revival Moore sounds like she pays more attention to her accent than the vocals, and the original Squeaky thought her name meant she should sound ear offending.

[achancetofly]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:00am

wonderfulwizard11,

I haven't heard the revival cast recording of Sweeney, no. If you'd like to give it to me, sure, hahaha.

And as for Cabaret, yes, I absolutely love the revival cast recording for that one...if only for Alan Cumming's amazing version of "Wilkommen". I LOVE the way he says "beautiful" in it. It just makes me giddy.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:02am

The only real Cabaret to me is the revival

- This makes me sad. The original Hal Prince production was pure brillance. Something the Broadway Musical never saw before.

It also makes me sad when people don't want to hear the amazing stars who created some great roles from the Golden Age, just because they don't like the quality of the old recordings. Updated On: 7/4/06 at 12:02 AM

[matt schneider]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:04am

I fell like revivals can be good if they are done by the rite writer. Also if they are done to be the same as the original it can get boring, but if they change the musical without changing the main idea, then I think it is worth it.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:13am

You do realize that a revival is a remounting of a show with the same book, music, and lyrics, but (usually) with a different director, choreographer, and design team, right?

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:16am

::headdesk::

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:26am

*hands colleen an icepack*

[Jenny1284]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:28am

I don't really enjoy it more than the original, but I love the London revival of Sunday in the Park with George. Lately, I've been playing it as often as the OBC.

[achancetofly]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:28am

Okay wow. Umm.


I think I'll borrow that icepack, when you're done with it, Colleen.


Didn't we get enough of this guy on that other thread?

[Sant]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 7:02am

It depends on the performers and performances mostly. Of course, the orchestrations etc have something to do with it too. If listening to CHICAGO, I definitely put the Broadway revival cd (Bebe is fantastic!!!) on, but say, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS it has to be the original - even though the title song is much shorter.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 7:19am

The only show I have seen both the original and revival of "in person" is INTO THE WOODS. They both had sooooo many good things about them... but the OBC, original is/was/will remain the best. Although the sets and the way they decorated the Broadhurst during the revival were awesome.

SWEENEY TODDs current revival is spectacular in the redesign and innovation. I am glad it's a hit. One must rememeber when comparing it to the Hal Prince version is that they are two totally different shows in many ways.

CHICAGO revival *IS* CHICAGO- although I adore thre late, great Jerry Orbach.

Posted: 7/4/06 at 8:02am

The only revival recording that I think I prefer over the original recording is Cabaret. Primarily for Alan Cumming. Some revival recordings I enjoy because they are more complete...like the 70s revival of Oklahoma! I don't understand how anyone would prefer any revival of an Alfred Drake show over the original. No one has ever matched his performances in Kiss Me, Kate or Kismet.

[HeartandMusic]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 11:42am

Oh! Tom just reminded me of another revival that I love. I forget the year, but it was the revival of Oklahoma done in London directed by Trevor Nunn and starred in by Hugh Jackman. Don't hate me, but that is the only version of Oklahoma I have ever seen and actually enjoyed.

[MrSweetNAwful]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:50pm

I can't stand Ann Reinking in the Chicago revival. Whenever I hear "I'm gonna get me a whole bunch of boys!" on Broadway's Best I think she sounds like a pedophile.
Rivera, Verdon and Orbach are the best.

Oh and lets not forget Little Shop. The revival has cut songs and puts Call Back in the Morning back in. But as much as I love Kerry Butler, Audrey is Ellen Greene.

[west end artist1]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 12:59pm

i love the revival of Sunday in the park

and also enjoyed Sweet Charity revival