Scores That Work Better in the Context of Their Shows

There are some shows that I have seen where I have liked the music much more during the show then when I have listened to it before and after. Obviously songs tend to work better emotionally in their show but with some shows (Follies, Fiddler, Sweeney, Guys and Dolls) they just work as a stand alone whether because of humor or because they just sound beautiful. To me Billy Elliot' s score does not strike me by just listening to it but I was very moved by many of the songs during the actual show. Other musicals that come to mind are How to Succeed and Caroline or Change. What others do you think share this?

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Updated On: 1/24/11 at 07:25 PM

To me, the obvious show is FANNY. I'd always thought there were some beautiful numbers in the score but the rest of it didn't make sense. After seeing the Encores! version of it last season, I realized the whole score it wonderful when viewed in the context of the show.

Adding to this, the obc is a chopped up mess with numbers out of sequence and the sweeping orchestral and choral passages deleted.

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"Oliver!"

I know it's a little bit different than what's being asked, but Everyday Rapture comes to mind.

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Gypsy.

Passion. I just couldn't get into it AT ALL until I saw it performed. Now I understand what's going on, I love it deeply.

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City of Angels would not exist without that music, but the complete score (as great as it is) works much better when you have the story to latch onto. It's the difference between "With Ev'ry Breath I Take" being a torch song and something the entire Stone plot-line hinges on. I mean, if you don't know that Oolie and Donna both sing in "You Can Always Count on Me," the conceit of the song is lost. You don't get that unless you know its context in the show.