The Life

i LOVED it, but sadly its rarely ever done anymore

Terrific score (one of Cy Coleman's best), terrific cast (Lillias White, Pamela Isaacs, Chuck Cooper, Sam Harris), flat & unimaginative staging (Michael Blakemore) and mediocre Fosse-lite choreography (Joey McNeely). The book unfortunately went out of its way to emphasize the tawdrier aspects of the subject matter. It reminded me of "Sweet Charity" (Coleman's best score) 20 years later -- the "dance hall hostesses" had become a bunch of tired old Time Square hos, with barely enough energy to get off of a stool (White's "Oldest Profession" stopped the show without ever standing up). The whole show had a bad case of inertia with no excitement or electricity -- it might as well have been a concert (I kept wondering what Michael Bennett or the real Fosse would have done with this material).

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I didn't enjoy this show at all. The first act seemed to be endless...and I was just plain bored by pretty much every aspect of this show. (except for Lillias White)

Great score at times. Not a great show. A little to pretentious in a way and very heavy handed towrds the end.

Theres also a early recording of the score with various artists. I think Liza is in there.

I saw the show also when it was on Broadway, and I agree with everyone above. I enjoyed the score and listen to the OBCR frequently. But it was soooooo long. Rather, it could have used some cuts, and it would have been still very effective and tighter all around.
-DT

Unfortunately I did not get to see this show - but I LOVE the score. I think "My Friend" is one of Coleman's most beautiful songs and my other favs are "I'm Leaving You", "He's No Good", "We Had A Dream" and "People Magazine" - all great songs.

I was lucky enough to meet Pamela Isaacs when she did the Cy Coleman concert during the Cardiff International Festival of musical Theatre in 2002. She is a lovely lady.

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gosh - I remember listening to the score once and thinking that the lyrics were some of the worst I'd ever heard...but I never saw the show.

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I agree that the lyrics leave a lot to be desired...

"Why don't you just go to hell"
"Better yet, why don't you"
"Anything that I damn please is what I'm gonna do"

um... yeah... not top quality. But I love the funky orchestrations, very pop 80s. The music is very catchy. I get "Lovely Day to Be Outta Jail" stuck in my head all the time. I wish I could see a production of it, but due to subject matter, it's probably not going to be produced that often. Has anyone heard of another production of it somewhere?

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wildparty20, the lyrics weren't all that great because Ira Gasman tried to take some of the jargon of the 1970's and include that in the songs. In "My Way or the Highway", Memphis sings "better do it Nestle Quick". That was a big phrase in the '70's. Anytime you wanted someone to hurry up you would say, "better do it Nestle Quick."

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Corine2 put it best, "Dame I love your name but please get some new material."

Thank you and goodbye. HAHA

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"It's my way or the highway", that's when I wanted to leave but it would have been very impolite, as it was opening night.