The Search for the Next Elle Woods: The Spoiler thread- Page 46

[dinglehopper89]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:26am

The score for LB is ok. It doesn't compare to Hairspray's score, but it's serviceable. But whenever I listen to LB on my Ipod, I always skip over "Serious", "The Harvard Variations", "Blood In The Water", "Ireland" (and it's reprise), and "Take It Like a Man".

Hehe. With the exception of "Take It Like a Man," Elle isn't the lead singer/doesn't sing in any of those songs. Put "Whipped Into Shape" on the list and then it's basically only Elle songs that you like from the show. Just an observation...I actually agree with you on those song choices. Well, kind of. I hate "The Harvard Variations" and "Blood in the Water." The play count for "Serious" and the others you listed aren't as high as "So Much Better" or "Positive" but I still like them. And wait I lied, "Bend and Snap" doesn't have much of Elle singing either...but you get what I mean...right? lol

[austengirl]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:01pm

Oh, I think I may have offended you by saying I FF through Ireland since you are an Orfeh fan. Nothing against Orfeh, she is fabulous and if you look through my posts you will see I have never said a negative word about her. She is great, and I think she deserves a better song than that. Many other posters have echoed my displeasure with the song if you have read through the last couple of pages.

I wouldn't say it is the worst song in the show...I would give that award to Whipped Into Shape. That one drives me bonkers. Updated On: 7/23/08 at 12:01 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:18pm

I actually like "Serious" a lot. Except for the dialogue in it is pretty terrible.

I know that she's saying it's still him, but the way she says "Yeaahh" in response to "I look like Warner" just really bothers me. And Emmett's backstory doesn't add much, IMO, at least not as much as it could if it had been handled better. I guess I don't like it because it doesn't make him much better than Elle: he just has to prove to everyone. I also wish that he'd worked hard just because he wanted to be a lawyer and was passionate about the law, not because he wanted to get rich.

The Elle/Warner relationship ending in the movie is better IMO because it's snarkier. He treated her pretty badly in the movie and had it coming.

And, ah, "Good Boy" was the producers' fault? I blame them, then. D:

Updated On: 7/23/08 at 12:18 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:21pm

And, ah, "Good Boy" was the producers' fault? I blame them, then. D:

Then I can blame the producers for "Love and War"? That was a good song. Somewhat better than "Positive".

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:25pm

I liked "Beacon of Positivity" best.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:26pm

It seemed too "girly" for Elle. Or too weak for LBB. I don't know how to explain it. I don't think it would've worked onstage, though.
Updated On: 7/23/08 at 12:26 PM

[dinglehopper89]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:33pm

I LOVE Love and War. Especially Annaleighs "Ninja kick her through a door!" and then the way Leslie sings "Pull her hair and call her whore!" The vocals of the 3 main delta nus were shown off more in Love and War.
I don't really like Beacon of Positivity. It's catchy but I think I like Love and War the most. Only thing is that the dance break in Love and War seems out of place to me and works out better in Positive.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 12:35pm

I dunno, I thought that "Beacon of Positivity" was very Elle.

I do prefer "Love and War" to "Positive," though, by far.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 1:34pm

Is there anywhere online you can hear these songs? I know "Love and War" is on that site.

[Danielle87]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 1:44pm

Good Boy is better than Ireland, and it fits in the musical a lot better and is nowhere near as random, but I understand why they replaced it with Ireland. In Ireland, she tells Elle the story of how her ex dumped her for another woman and took her dog and trailer, whereas in Good Boy, you don't really learn anything about her character. Plus, it was a chance to show off Orfeh's vocals more, especially with the added reprise.

Both Beacon of Positivity and Love and War are a lot better than Positive. Although I don't care for Positive, I can also see why they put it in the musical instead of Love and War. It isn't really upbeat enough, a little too dark for Legally Blonde. I have no clue why Beacon of Positivity wasn't included, though.

BTW, I feel like I'm the only person that likes Take it Like a Man, lol. I feel it was a great moment for Emmett and Elle's relationship, just IMO.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 1:55pm

I don't mind the idea of Paulette telling Elle about her ex in a belty ballad, but why include Ireland in that? It's so random.

[Danielle87]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:04pm

I believe the Ireland part was obviously included to give Jerry an excuse to choreograph a big riverdance number in the Legally Blonde Remix. That's what happens when a choreographer directs a musical.
Updated On: 7/23/08 at 02:04 PM

[austengirl]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:08pm

No Danielle, you're not the only one! The first time I saw Legally Blonde, "Take It Like A Man" was my favorite song and favorite part of the musical.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:12pm

I liked the San Fran version of "Take It Like a Man." It was more subtle.

I dunno, I just think that line that I mentioned ruins the song.

[austengirl]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:17pm

That line doesn't bother me. I understand she is telling him he looks like Warner now, but on the inside he is way better looking than Warner. I thought it was sweet.

[BroadwayPenguin2]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:24pm

http://linkin.ws/?12168374204887772c87e02

Kerry Butler. Larry's Rites of Spring

Good Boy
Beacon of Positivity
Legally Blonde
Blood in the Water (Kevin Pariseau)

[dinglehopper89]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:53pm

WOOO Kerry Butler!!!
Except in Legally Blonde...why is Emmett saying he's going back to the sun and shore...maybe it's in a certain context and I just missed it or something...

edit: I just listened to it again. He says "Please don't go back to the sun, back to the shore." Updated On: 7/23/08 at 02:53 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 3:05pm

Huh, those are a little different from the demo.

[lois128]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 3:18pm

I really like "Beacon of Positivity" I think it's a very Elle song but I can't imagine it sung by LBB. I loooove it with Kerry though.
Danielle87 and Austengirl you're not alone. I really like "Take It Like A Man", I think it's a great moment between Elle and Emmett.

There's a channel on youtube where you can find a lot of demos and workshops, I believe "Good Boy" and "Beacon of Positivity" can be found there. http://www.youtube.com/user/BwayDemosWorkshops

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 4:41pm

Random, but I'm listening to Kate Rockwell as Margot and also some performances from her senior showcase, and I still don't like her belting. She's off a lot. When she sings normally, she's great, but her belting gets pretty shouty.

If it helps, I didn't like her belting on the Grease show either.

Updated On: 7/23/08 at 04:41 PM

[NYC10040]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:08pm

Hmmm SporkGoddess...you must have a strange ear or something, because I always disagree with your vocal opinions (and I was a vocal music major and perform professionally). Bailey's belt was off almost every time on her full performances on the MTV website. While Kate Rockwell I think has a great (and healthy belt)...particularly loved her All By Myself on the Grease show. She certainly has better vocal control/training than Bailey in my opinion:

http://www.nbc.com/Grease/video/#cat=new&sec=1a&mea=60124

Oh well - everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion :)

Updated On: 7/23/08 at 05:08 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:12pm

Haha, I never said that Bailey was better. She's definitely better than Bailey.

Kate has a good voice; it's just that her belting gets shouty. I don't like shouty belting.

[NYC10040]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:15pm

Isn't that what belting basically is? shouting on pitch? Patti shouts, Merman shouted, but I still like it :)

I'm not a girl though, so I can't get into discussing the difference between belting and mixing in terms of production(I just know what they sound like)....I do agree that mixing tends to be easier on the ears!!
Updated On: 7/23/08 at 05:15 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:26pm

I dunno, you can belt but not do it at the top of your lungs. It seems like whenever Kate belts, she's loud no matter what.

http://www.nbc.com/Grease/video/#mea=55891 Best example I could find.

Her belting in that video you linked is really good, though. I wish that she would mix more!

I'm a girl but a soprano so I can't talk that much about belting in terms of production either. I agree that mixing just sounds better. I wish that Lauren would do more of a mix belt, as I've said.

[NYC10040]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:38pm

I get what you are saying Spork, but you do have to keep in mind that the video you linked was of her performing in a full size theater with no mike. She was probably belting loudly to prove that her voice could fill the space. You should always adjust your singing based on the size of the room you are auditioning in!