The Musicals where NOTHING happens!

Mr. Sondheim has often done much with musicals where nothing is happening. Follies and Company, nothing really happen much. Second half of Sunday? Nothing happens. In "Sondheim: Enlarged and Updated", it talked about how he drove himself crazy writing Lesson 8 and Children and Art. What shows can you think of where nothing happens?
I'm not saying horrid books, im saying when there's no story.

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My Fair Lady

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i guess that's the danger of the question...there's a gigantic difference between plot and story. a plot can be relatively stark and tell a beautiful, full story, or conversely it can be very full and tell hardly any story at all.

I would offer that nothing much happens in Company PLOTwise...that much, I think, is true. Summary of show? People come over. And sing. About relationships. (I tried to make it long...) I guess I'm looking to you for the growth aspect that you speak of, and how you think he's learned/changed at the end of the show. I never felt any sort of cathartic response to the show, but I can be blind to obscure messages at times.

What, in your opinion, is the full, "happening" story of Company? (This shouldn't be read as a challenge. I'm interested in your opinion!)

Updated On: 1/29/11 at 12:43 AM

I'm not here to argue either point, but COMPANY is widely known to be the first 'Concept Musical' so while much may not 'happen' the show has a lot to say.

I would argue that much does happen though.

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plot-wise, idina? from a book writing standpoint, I guess I don't understand that.

But from a story standpoint, educate me! It's been years since I've seen it. I remember loving people playing their own instruments, and certain songs broaching interesting concepts, giving me more to think about. But in terms of what I walk away with, it still just feels like snippets of things, not one cohesive thing. Maybe it just doesn't strike the same emotional chord with me, but I don't feel like I walk away with the realization that Marriage is good or marriage is awful or it's better to be alone or relationships mean nothing or are everything...(not to say that the message would have to be so black or white...)

Anyhow, looking forward to hearing more thoughts on it!

Did someone really say MY FAIR LADY?

There's a lot of stuff happening in Song & Dance. Emma dates several guys, moves to LA, gets her green card, she gets dumped, etc, etc.

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Fela!

COMPANY follows a circular plot structure rather than a linear one. The story is Bobby coming to terms with what he wants out of a relationship.

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The first act of La Cage has a slow plot. After the son tells Georges that he will be married and doesn't want Albin there, Georges has to tell Albin. That's it. But there is a lot of character exploration and discussion of the past. Still, it felt slow.

Wow, I knew I shouldn't haven't opened this thread. Or at least, not first think upon waking up.

As many said previously, most of these mentioned shows are rich in happenings, just not the linear kind.

I'd wager to say more happens in Company and Follies than the lot of linear musicals being slogged out today.

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We don't agree politically, Goth, but that was pretty clever.

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American Idiot is the only show that immediately pops into my mind.