Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
#1Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 2:05am
On paper, "Nothing" from A Chorus Line is, I think, one of the greatest songs ever written for a musical. It tells us everything we need to know about the character, it tells a complete story with a beginning, middle, triumphant climax, and sad denouement, and it encompasses virtually the entire emotional spectrum, all wrapped up in a lovely, infectious melody. When I sing it to myself, I can actually make myself cry, it's so good (the song, not my singing).
In practice, though, it's another story. I can't listen to the original Broadway recording without physically cringing. I don't know what's worse: the jingly, '70s TV theme song arrangement, or Priscilla Lopez's hammy performance. She sings it without any inflection, and delivers every line, no matter the content, with the same uniform perkiness, as if she's singing "If My Friends Could See Me Now" or something, rather than a deeply heartfelt paean to performance. And unfortunately, every performance I've seen of this song take its cue from her, treating it like some comic trifle and not the powerhouse showstopper it could be.
Anyone else feel this way about a song? Are there any songs that you wish you could stage, just to unlock their potential and show the world what they can be?
#2Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 2:20am
Maybe you're misinterpreting the song. I think Priscilla Lopez's performance is definitive and I think the song is perfect in the way that it's performed.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#3Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 6:34am
^this.
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#6Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 1:33pm
Is the OP aware that the song onstage is not a standalone but merely an extended portion of the "Montage?"
Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
#7Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 1:45pm
There are obviously a lot of ways to play it, but I think that part of the idea with Lopez's version of Nothing is that the first 90% of the song is supposed to be kind of breezy to increase the impact of the unexpected last lines.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
#8Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 1:54pm
Isn't "Nothing" adapted directly from Lopez's own life experiences?
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#9Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 2:25pm
Priscilla Lopez's performance of Nothing is perfection.
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#10Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 3:12pm
Kad said: "Isn't "Nothing" adapted directly from Lopez's own life experiences?
"
It sure is. So what would she know about how to perform that song? :)
Fan123
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/30/08
#11Songs That Should Be Great But Aren't
Posted: 6/3/16 at 5:59pm
The extras on (one version of?) the DVD of 'Every Little Step', the documentary about the Chorus Line revival auditions, include a few short excerpts from the original dancer interview tapes upon which the show is based. This includes the original telling of the 'nothing' story, which is interesting to hear - and is played for laughs. I remember the storyteller saying (paraphrasing from vague memory) "I heard later that he died, and I was so happy." [Laughter from others] " - No, no, I didn't want him to die!!"
The taped voice didn't sound much like Priscilla Lopez on the cast album, incidentally, but I might be mis-remembering. I don't think the storyteller was identified on the DVD per se.
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