There used to be a word-of-mouth theory going around NY when I was living there back in the mid '80s auditioning regularly for Equity shows: Never sing Sondheim.
Why? When the material is so good!
Reason: Most people would tell you that with Sondheim, the material outshines the performers and the performances. It's a losing battle, and therefore a bad idea. Especially if you want to be noticed for your performance.
You don't want anybody behind that table saying, "Wow, what a great song!" You want them saying, "Wow, what a great SINGER."
With Sondheim, the song is usually greater than the singer. These friendly advisors would use various OBC members to illustrate their point. And I know we're on a Broadway fan site here, but most of the avid theatre-lovers couldn't tell you for the life of them who originally sang The Miller's Son, Not While I'm Around, or Another Hundred People. They remember the songs, though. They love the songs!
And it's not that the original performances weren't memorable either. They were rock-solid.
But the songs outshine the singers. They go on to immortality. They're the real "stars." Not (usually ) the performers.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
