Song Questions about NINE
Song Questions about NINE
#1Song Questions about NINE
Posted: 5/9/07 at 7:13pm
Which characters sing "Simple" and "Unusual Way" and what is the backstory/what's happening in each song? Thanks.
Updated On: 5/9/07 at 07:13 PM
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#2re: Song Questions about NINE
Posted: 5/9/07 at 7:16pmThe only thing I know about Simple is that Claudia seems to be giving Guido her reasons for being with her husband and why she loves acting and such while Carla sings. I've never seen it, but it seems he is being left by everyone. Others I'm sure will help who know more, so I'll be waiting for their responses to hear more too!
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#2re: Song Questions about NINE
Posted: 5/9/07 at 7:33pm
Simple is sung mid-Act 2 by Carla, Guido's mistress, after she sees how he made fun of their relationship in his new film. It's the quintessential 'break-up' song: "Simple are the ways we say goodbye..."
Unusual Way is at the top of Act 2, sung by Claudia, the muse, as Guido goes to visit her - and he confesses his love.
#3re: Song Questions about NINE
Posted: 5/9/07 at 7:36pm
Well, first of all NINE is not a typical book musical, most of the songs are rather used to reveal more about the characters, their relationships, or comment on what is happening in the show rather than advance the plot (save for some numbers like "The Grand Canal" sequence, "No Since Charlie Chaplin," etc).
In "Unusual Way" Guido has just met Claudia Nardi, his muse. He needs her for his new film--though he doesn't know what the film will be about--and he takes her to the beach. Their relationship is unclear, but she sings "A Man Like You" where she calls him casanova and explains how one woman will never be enough for him, then that song segues into "Unusual Way" in which Claudia explains her devotion and her relationship with Guido. During the song, Guido gets the idea for his film--after she has called him "casanova"--and joins in.
"Simple" happens after Guido has filmed the Grand Canal sequence and uses exact parts of his life with the women from his life (Luisa, Claudia, and Carla) to portray on film. Claudia is playing the role of his wife in the movie-within-the-musical and Carla has been watching. Also, Carla has divorced her husband (or is about to, can't remember) to be with Guido but he has no desire to actually settle down with her. During "Simple," both Claudia and Carla say good-bye to Guido.
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