Sondheim's Bounce

[lovettespies]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 6:41pm

Just wanted to get everyone's opinion's. I saw it and just got the CD so I've been thinking a lot about it. I just don't think the plot was right for a musical. The climactic moment came way to late in the show so the ending was very sudden to me. The songs are sweet and well written, but not completely memorable. Any other thoughts?

[CJR]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 6:44pm

Hated. That. Show.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 6:48pm

Something tells me CJR didn't like that show...i don't know what though

Akiva

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 6:58pm

i did not SEE the show, but I don't find the score as disappointing as others tend to...
-d.b.j-

[lovettespies]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 7:13pm

it was dissapointing, but i think that it's still okay. There's just something missing. I can't describe it.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:47am

Hated the the score and the show.

[the-one-you-want]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:41am

Hmm....
Well I think the score is quite good. If you're looking for Sondheim in the vein of "Sunday" or "Sweeny" (complicated issues meets complicated score) then you're outta luck. But if you're looking for a musical comedy thats very much above the norm--Bounce is totally worth while.
The score focuses on character points that always progress the story, so not all the songs deserve repeated listenings on a CD recording. Is this the best musical comedy ever? No, of course not. But compared with the mass amount of trite, by the numbers committe style musicals of late ("Millie," "Bombay Dreams") "Boucne" is a refreshing book-musical with a few stand out songs ("Talent" and "What's your rush" are among Sondheim's best out of context character songs.) and an intresting selection for Sondheim fans.
Wow. Sorry. I sound like the back cover of a CD. I'll simmer down now.

[Le Prince Rebel]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 8:55am

I saw it twice in Chicago(a huge Sondheim nut here), once at the beginning in the run and once toward the end of the run. I was surprised given the problems with the show, how little had changed. While friends tore it apart, I didn't think it was as bad has they claimed, but it also wasn't as good as I had hoped (how many years were we all waiting for an new Sondheim musical?!)

I think the book of the show was the biggest problem. I never really knew why this story had to be told. You could say this about other Sondheim shows too, I guess, but "Bounce" didn't seem to have the same thematic significance that Sondheim's others shows have, i.e, "Pacific Overtures, "Follies," "Assassins," etc. The show consequently didn't have the emotional or thematic impact that these other shows have.

Of course, I got the CD as soon as it came out, and I've listened to it three or four times, but then it kind of disappeared from my CD player. The revival CD of "Assassins" was in there substantially longer -- what a show! I was fortunate to see the production -- riveting! Joe Montello really did deserve his Tony for this production. I'll never understand why it closed so early.

Anyway, I keep thinking I must revisit my "Bounce" CD to see if I'm missing something. I fear, however, it's the score rather than me because I find so much his Sondheim's other music more compelling.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 6:53pm

it's hit and miss, but over all i loved the show