#176
Posted: 3/24/15 at 7:39am
Realizing how they are portrayed here as figments of Quasi's imagination
Having seen some videos of Der Glockner, you will realize this was also done very effectively in Berlin. Hell, as I said earlier in the thread, nearly every problem people have with the overall thrust of the material in this production was handled better in Berlin.
I agree that the physical production was nothing one could replicate, and in that respect, the "morality play" approach works. But there was literally nothing else that needed changing, except maybe reinstating "The Court of Miracles." The narration (such as it was, given only Clopin really engaged in it with a recurring "Bells of Notre Dame" motif, as in the film) was not overbearing, the gargoyles were not the scenery-chewing "walking Disney toys" they were in the film and therefore proved less important to cut, the staging of death scenes were more simply and less embarrassingly handled, and the like.
(Also, and I realize this is not the last time I've said this, but I don't get everyone's apparent dislike for "A Guy Like You." Yes, it takes place around the darkest point in the film and show, but a) we haven't exactly hit rock bottom yet, b) it's one of the few bright spots in the score at that moment, and consequently, c) it is not only not inappropriate, but needed, much like "King Herod's Song" gives a similar lift to Jesus Christ Superstar. Yeah, the line about Paris being on fire is cringe-worthy, but how long has it been since Stephen Schwartz wrote a new lyric you completely liked? Don't worry, I'll wait.)
Having seen some videos of Der Glockner, you will realize this was also done very effectively in Berlin. Hell, as I said earlier in the thread, nearly every problem people have with the overall thrust of the material in this production was handled better in Berlin.
I agree that the physical production was nothing one could replicate, and in that respect, the "morality play" approach works. But there was literally nothing else that needed changing, except maybe reinstating "The Court of Miracles." The narration (such as it was, given only Clopin really engaged in it with a recurring "Bells of Notre Dame" motif, as in the film) was not overbearing, the gargoyles were not the scenery-chewing "walking Disney toys" they were in the film and therefore proved less important to cut, the staging of death scenes were more simply and less embarrassingly handled, and the like.
(Also, and I realize this is not the last time I've said this, but I don't get everyone's apparent dislike for "A Guy Like You." Yes, it takes place around the darkest point in the film and show, but a) we haven't exactly hit rock bottom yet, b) it's one of the few bright spots in the score at that moment, and consequently, c) it is not only not inappropriate, but needed, much like "King Herod's Song" gives a similar lift to Jesus Christ Superstar. Yeah, the line about Paris being on fire is cringe-worthy, but how long has it been since Stephen Schwartz wrote a new lyric you completely liked? Don't worry, I'll wait.)
Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05
Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky, Seb28
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05
Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky, Seb28
Updated On: 3/24/15 at 07:39 AM
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