SCHMIGADOON! Reviews — Page 6

Today’s picnic basket auction in Times Square raised over $30,000 for BC/EFA.

Have to say from this jaded theater goer that it's perfectly charming. Great first act. Second act is a bit sluggish and clunky in order to tie everything up but that's understandable given a 6 episode series. The new songs are passable though I don't think Ana sings the same song about her Mayor husband as in the series I found to be better but I could be mistaken. A lot of the inside baseball theater visual jokes in the series are gone like the name of the town's storefronts, but they did add a brief one which I don't think anyone else in the audience got (hint: it's in Act II). The dancing is terrific. Alex and Sara brilliantly underplay their roles from the series and let loose when it's time to. I think it ticks all the boxes for Best Musical this year. I do wonder about the song in the doctor's office. The music is nearly identical to "Doe, A Deer" from The Sound Of Music. I didn't see anything in the program that said courtesy of the Hammerstein estate. Did they get permission and not list it or it qualifies as satire and therefore doesn't fall under copyright protection? Just curious.

What do we think about the front runner for "best musical" to be mostly songs that are parody?

Consistency said: "What do we think about the front runner for "best musical" to be mostly songs that are parody?"

A testament to how weak last season was for new musicals.

And as likely as next year’s frontrunner stemming from a concept album. ;)

Rentaholic2 said: "I don't think it's fair to dismiss them all as parody as if Cinco Paul pulled a Weird Al."

I really loved Schmigadoon and won't mind at all if it wins big this Sunday, but are you even remotely comparing Weird Al negatively to Cinco Paul? Because, based on their careers so far, Weird Al >> Cinco Paul, as talented as the latter writer is.

kdogg36 said: "Rentaholic2 said: "I don't think it's fair to dismiss them all as parody as if Cinco Paul pulled a Weird Al."

I really lovedSchmigadoonand won't mind at all if it wins big this Sunday, but are you even remotely comparing Weird Al negatively to Cinco Paul? Because, based on their careers so far, Weird Al >> Cinco Paul, as talented as the latter writer is."

No, that wasn’t my point at all. I’m not saying either is better or worse, I was just using Weird Al as an example of an artist that makes parody songs where he just writes new lyrics to existing songs without changing the music, which is not what Cinco Paul has done (with the one exception I noted). People reading this thread who aren’t familiar with the Schmigadoon score might have that impression when we throw the word “parody” around.

Kad said: "Anumber of songs in the Schmigadoon score would qualify as parody, since theyare very clearly imitating or sending up specific songs. Parody isn’t just plugging new lyrics into existing tunes."

Fair enough.

tomorrowBIGLITES said: "Feels like it’s been at least 40 years now of “Why is everybody singing?!” Musical theatre jokes.”

Unoriginal and unfunny.

Worthwhile read on how the score developed for the stage:

https://playbill.com/article/the-art-of-the-pastiche-how-cinco-paul-wrote-new-songs-and-rewrote-old-ones-for-schmigadoon-on-broadway

luvbrdway said: "Confirming: Josh and Melissa walking/disappearingacross the fog covered bridge was a nod to Elphaba and Fyero at the end Wicked. Am I right?"

I would say it's more of a nod to the 1947 Lerner & Loewe classic BRIGADOON (from which Schmigadoon takes its title) since Brigadoon's main protagonists (Tommy & Jeff), in many productions, are shown discovering & leaving the mystical Scottish village by crossing a bridge through thick fog.

They started recording their cast album today.

Max Clayton mentioned on his Instagram that Sara Chase purposely dressed as Elaine Stritch recording COMPANY. Perfection.

forgetmenotnyc said: "this show that will now be done everywhere forever."

This is so true. I would not be surprised if this show is one of the top licensed shows (if not #1) once it's available. It's tailor made for high schools and community theaters: there are a lot of speaking parts, and they all have fun things to do; the ensemble can be as big as you want, and it can include people of all ages, and they'll all get plenty of stage time; there's nothing that complicated or bespoke about the costumes and sets, but there's lots of room for creativity with them; the jokes are pretty obvious and easy to land I assume; the songs aren't too difficult to sing; etc.