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Shows that work better as a recording

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#1

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 4:01am

Or in others words: shows with a beautiful score that you listened to over and over, but once you got to see it, it didn't really add anything.

I experienced this for the first time with Titanic. What an amazing score. I absolutely love it. But then I got to see the show and it didn't move me at all.

Another example is The Lion King. Such great music. And although I think The Lion King is worth seeing at least once because of the beautiful set and costume design, it wasn't as overwhelming as the recording was for me.

I would love to hear other experiences.

Updated On: 8/26/21 at 04:01 AM

#2

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 6:13am

I generally don’t listen to whole soundtracks before seeing the show but I’ve sorta had the opposite happen. Sometimes I see the show and am not obsessed with it then listen to it and like the music a lot. 2 examples I’ve been listening to a lot recently but didn’t love the shows are A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder and Waitress. I think part of what is good about listening to it is I can skip the songs I don’t like to the really amazing songs in there.
#3

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 7:45am

Wonderland immediately springs to mind. Some fun and catchy songs for sure, but when it was put onstage with that godawful book... OOOOF.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#4

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 8:59am

The Last 5 Years, to me, is a good example of a show that works better in my mind's eye than on stage. Also, to a lesser extent, Jesus Christ Superstar. But these examples might have to do with the fact that I wore out the recordings before I ever saw them on stage, lol.

#5

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 9:12am

I love the ALW Phantom score. However, ever since the first time I saw it on Broadway I've never enjoyed it as much since. I've tried too, twice on Broadway, twice on tour, and once in London. I always feel underwhelmed leaving the theatre. When I see Phantom it's for the music not the staging.

#6

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 9:35am

^Yeah, I feel similar. I used to love POTO based solely on the score. But man, I sat through the Broadway production in 2018, and while the stage craft was wonderful, it was a dull piece to sit through. Mad respect (as always) to Hal Prince and the designers, but the show felt like a drag most of the time. Tried watching the 25th Anniversary tape, but that was even worse.

Also, I always skipped around on the OLCA of POTO so I never realized how repetitive the score was. Not my cup of tea.

Updated On: 8/26/21 at 09:35 AM

#7

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 11:54am

The first time I listened to Mack and Mabel I was blown away that it had flopped, and never had a successful remount. Then I read the libretto! Oof.

#10

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 2:07pm

Frankly, a lot of shows right now and in the last several seasons given their lackluster books.
“I am furious, but I am sailing.”
#11

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 2:11pm

Wonderland, as mentioned above, was also the first show I thought of. Love every song on the album but the book was a mess.
#12

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 2:24pm

I often find myself listening to the OBCR of Jerry Herman's DEAR WORLD with Angela Lansbury. It's a really well produced, rich-sounding album of, what I gather, was a terrible show.

Despite this, Lansbury won the Tony Award for her performance.

#14

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 2:48pm

I'm sure I'm in the extreme minority on this one, but Hamilton. While the staging by itself is fascinating to watch, I feel like there's so much going on with it that it distracts from what is already an extremely wordy and plot-driven book and score instead of enhancing it.

And I second the OP's mention of Titanic: Truly one of the most beautiful scores of the past 30 years, but a horrendous book that's impossible to stage.
#16

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 2:54pm

I think the Sunset Boulevard recording Glenn Close sounds like a terrific radio play. I think staging Sunset can be a slog and easily look cheap and drag. However, that cast recording is a marvelous stand alone.

I don't know if it was ever staged but Bright Lights, Big City is a terrific thrilling listen. I feel it could be hard to stage in all it's mania.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#17

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 3:01pm

Bettyboy72 said: "I think the Sunset Boulevard recording Glenn Close sounds like a terrific radio play. I think staging Sunset can be a slog and easily look cheap and drag. However, that cast recording is a marvelous stand alone.

I don't know if it was ever staged but Bright Lights, Big City is a terrific thrilling listen. I feel it could be hard to stage in all it's mania."



Yes, it had an Off Bwy production that didn't last long.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#20

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 7:55pm

William Finn's "A New Brain". I love almost every song on that recording ("And They're Off" might be my favorite show tune of all time...) but I have seen the LIncoln Center recording and numerous productions (including the Encores off-Center version with Groff) and it never works for me as a whole piece. Though slightly before the pandemic I saw a student production at the University of Michigan which I thought oddly the best I had seen.

#21

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 8:40pm

imeldasturn said: "Hamilton, the OBCR is thrilling and seeing the show on stage adds very little to the experience "

I get so awkward telling people this after seeing the show. The music is what makes the show so extraordinary. With the exception of a few scenes, the stage production doesn’t add anything.


I’d add Catch Me If You Can to this list. I still listen to the music, but I remember being underwhelmed seeing the show.

#22

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 8:42pm

I thought Anastasia was boring disappointment on Broadway, but the cast recording is pretty solid. I sometimes wonder whether a better-directed version of the same material might have made a decent show, or if the book itself is insurmountable.

#23

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 8:48pm

Jesus Christ Superstar.

Every Easter my family listens to the original recording. I add in the movie addition of "Could we start again Please".

I have seen renditions in Chicago (not Broadway but...) and of course the film and I just rather listen to original which was awesome.

#24

Shows that work better as a recording

Posted: 8/26/21 at 11:18pm

DooWahDiddy said: "The Last 5 Years, to me, is a good example of a show that works better in my mind's eye than on stage."

To an extent, I agree. The best productions of the show are the ones that get out of the way of the score. And while there are some fabulous cast recordings, I think you get so much more out of hearing this music live.

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