Raisin- The Musical
Raisin- The Musical
#0Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/10/05 at 11:39amHow does everyone feel about this musical? I was thinking that I might buy, but I heard it wasn't the greatest thing out there, and much of its Tony Award Success came from 1974 being a weak year. Anyways, how do you guys like it(providing you've heard it).
perfusion
Stand-by Joined: 11/15/04
#1re: Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/10/05 at 5:37pmI have the obc recording,it's o.k. not one of my favorites. Joe Morton, Virginia Capers,Ralph Carter & Deborah Allen makes it worth a listen.
#2re: Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/11/05 at 2:27amOne or two songs are of mild interest but it is a dull score that adds nothing to the powerful play.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#3re: Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/11/05 at 8:51amA most forgettable score that actually diminished the power of the original.
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#5re: Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/11/05 at 9:21am
I disgree...I've always liked this musical, including the score. I think it deserved the Tonys it got, admittedly in a weak year. I also think the powerful performances come through (especially Joe Morton) on the recording, and the score has a different feel to it. Oddly, only Debbie Allen disappoints me as her voice goes flat in her big duet.
That said, it may not be everyone's cuppa...
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
MusicMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#6re: Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/11/05 at 9:33am
I think it is a beautiful piece of adaptation with the score extending the characterizations and enriching the story. Yes, the numbers are not always "tuneful," due in part to their jazz-and-soul-based inflections. But what's more important is that they are true to the source material. And a number like SWEET TIME is positively gorgeous in and of itself and innovative in its writing (i.e. Walter Lee's quasi-improvised 'riff' during the second chorus while Lena hums the melody). A solid, well-integrated musical(pun intended)!
Updated On: 5/11/05 at 09:33 AM
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#7re: Raisin- The Musical
Posted: 5/11/05 at 10:42amI find it a rather likable score. Joe Morton sounds great as Walter Lee. Norm Lewis would be PERFECT in the role!
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