Side Show-- Should I Buy It?

I got it and rarely listen to ALL of it, but I know that I LOOOOVE Come Look At The Freaks, I Will Never Leave You, and Who Will Love Me As I Am, so if anything get those!

I have to agree. I love the show, but it is kind of bookended with a really great opening, and great power ballads for the end of each act. The stuff in between runs the gamut from really good to really cheesy. For me the power of the piece was in the actual performances and seeing them onstage, and later working on one of the early regional productions. I'm not sure I would have fallen in love with it quite so easily just from the cast recording, and I know many people who haven't.

Definitely! Everyone should be exposed to Henry Krieger's music. I was lucky enough to see the Original Run on Broadway and its one thing that I will treasure!

J*

I only bought Side Show for "Marry Me, Terry." I wasn't looking forward to listening to the whole thing, but the minute I heard the opening I knew that I was in for something good.

I adore "Tunnel of Love." But my favorite will always be "Private Conversation"... or "You Should be Loved." It's probably a tie.

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Schmerg, I'd say go for it. It's deeply flawed, but there's some amazing stuff in it.

The two big numbers, "Who Will Love Me" and "I Will Never Leave You," are SPECTACULAR, but there's some great moments tucked into even songs and scenes I don't particularly like.

And Alice and Emily are worthy of your $$.

I love the score and listen to it often.

The big ballads are great, but I also like some of the shorter, lesser-known numbers. I love Leave Me Alone and We Share Everything. :)

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Miss Saigon is and ever shall be my favorite musical ever. I've seen it twice, and each time I was absolutely blown away.

Even if it might lower my street cred within the MT community.

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BUY IT! BUY IT!

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Well, I bought it, and I've listened it straight through twice. For the most part, I really love it-- BUT, the lyrics are so distractingly bad that they're almost painful sometimes. However, that's just one little aspect. There were a few songs I could've done without, though it's probably just because I'm not that fond of the vaudeville aspect of things.

Okay, so the cast is fantastic. Everyone has so much personality and emotion in their voices, and I loved the vocal contrast between Jeff McCarthy's deep, rich voice and Hugh Panaro's high, chirpy voice. I feel ashamed to say this, though, but the weakest link for me is Emily Skinner. She is a great singer and actress and so perfect for the role of Daisy, but I just feel like something about the way she pronounces her words and slides off of notes when she sings is just a little bit irritating.

My favourite songs on the CD are "The Devil You Know," "Who Will Love Me As I Am," "Private Conversation," "You Should Be Loved," "Tunnel of Love," and, though it's super-cheesy, "I Will Never Leave You." This is one musical that really gets me emotional, definitely not just something you listen to calmly.

I have a question, though. What is Jake's deal? I know he plays the Cannibal King, but what is his 'affliction' that bothers Violet? I seriously doubt that he's actually a cannibal...

Anyway, thanks SO much for convincing me to buy this CD! It's a great addition to my collection.

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Schmerg! You forgot the most important question! Do you hear the similarities between "Who Will Love Me as I Am?" and "For Good"?

Updated On: 1/8/09 at 09:28 PM

okay to enjoy more...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX8VVljroIU