WAR PAINT - The Original Broadway Cast Recording — Page 6

But even your question and explanation are great. Why should lyrics be dumb and instantly understandable. I had a friend who saw the show and was like "What? That was so stupid. A whole song about the color pink?!" And, and I hate using this phrase because it's do demeaning, but I was like "I don't think you understood the song." It's a really cleaver song that takes a few listens to get. Nothing wrong with that. I don't think everything needs to be radio ready.

I saw the Chicago production 3 times, and, while it had its pits, I found the production to be overall enchanting. I'm beside myself listening to this recording. The show has been hobbled.

"A Woman's Face" is a far superior opening. I truly don't understand why it was cut other than to give both ladies a solo entrance. "Best Face Forward" is tragic, to say the least. The show opens with a lackluster, forgettable number. They honestly could have kept both by putting BFF directly after AWF with the "You!... yes, you!"

I'm equally distraught that "My Secret Weapon" replaces "Hope in a Jar." Hope was truly the most hummable song in the entire show. It moves the plot along better than Secret Weapon does, imo. I will say that My Secret Weapon has grown on my upon further listening, but I also think that both songs could have been kept by playing My Secret Weapon until 2:30 in the song (when the idea to market the same cream with 2 jars come up) and then switch to Hope in a Jar.

"Oh That's Rich" was one of my favorite moments in Chicago, but I felt this number needs to build more. It could easily peak into a large, group number (with Congress and reporters joining in). Instead this number fizzles and cuts off just as the crescendo gets good.

Necessity and War Paint are equally forgettable. I don't feel too passionate about either choice in the show.

Finally, "Forever Beautiful" was impeccable in Chicago. It was peak LuPone. I understand that the plot was modified since the writers discovered that Rubinstein didn't need to sell her paintings for money, but the lyric changes to this are ABYSMAL. Changing "My life in art / my lasting monuments / [undecipherable through accent] / a Jew likes permanence" to " WHO GIVES A DAMN / no children visit me" is laughably bad.

Updated On: 5/30/17 at 02:06 PM

"Face to Face"

A: "make an armistice"

B: "air" is correct



"Beauty in the World"

A: "the lovers we bewitched with them"

Updated On: 6/1/17 at 12:13 PM

"If I Were A Man"
A - "tops" is correct; used interchangeably with "top" in 20th century slang.
B - "chump" is correct.
C - ?
D - "Would I win if I had been a man?"

"Now You Know"
A - "You think you've earned the win"
B - "So now we know - God help us all, we know - the way that life can twist the knife..."

dshnookie said: "Since the physical release isn't due until mid-July (assuming they even include the lyrics in the liner notes), I'm asking for help in deciphering a few of the lyrics.


1. If I'd Been A Man
(A) 2:00 Though I made my name, became the tops at my game - is 'tops' correct? sounds odd to me that it isn't just the singular "top" Yes, "tops"

(B) 3:33 Not a chump, a contender (is 'chump' correct?) Yes, "chump"

(C) 3:57 Why are they the prodigal? and I'm the also-ran? sounds like prodigal?

(D) 4:51 Would I win if I had been a man?

3. Now You Know

(A) 1:23 You think you've made the grade, You think you've earned the win

(B) 2:30 And oh what gates of hell they put her through. So, now we know - God help us all? we know). The way that life can twist the knife in you. "

4. Beauty in the World

(A) 0:50 Eyes that glittered like a gem, the lovers we bewitched with them we

I've finally listened to the whole album and I have to say WOW. What an exquisite cast album. Patti and Christine are in amazing voice. (Patti's belting tho) I saw the show in Chicago so this my first exposure to the changes. Overall this is a wonderful, beautiful score with complex melodies.

My issues:

The obvious glaring omission for me is cutting A Women's Face. It's a much better opening song. The melody is wonderful and catchy. I see why they changed it but I think they could have kept the song and just had the ensemble women sing Patti and Christine's parts.

Necessity is an interesting song. I like it but I love it. I think the original title song had a stronger melody. Perhaps what needed to happen was a combination of both songs.

I love this show and this score so either way I'm grateful to have it preserved.

On my third listen. I am finding that my favorite song is "If I'd Been A Man". Saw them sing it at a Times Talk and was not crazy about it. Liked it more when I saw the show but love it on the recording.

I also love "Better Yourself" and "Oh, That's Rich"

Updated On: 6/6/17 at 09:39 PM

I love Murphy, but I'm not quite sure she could sing Arden as cuerrenly written. The score seemingly has been tailor-made to Ebersole's range and vocal gift, especially "Pink." Im not sure Murphy has the range to pull off the role, but she could obviously act it phenomenally.

I was listening to the recording last night and had a sudden and perfect thought for an Arden replacement:

Victoria Clark.

qolbinau said: "Victoria Clark would be a good replacement - I had the same thought too!! Imagine her singing "Pink", it'd be perfect. I haven't heard anyone suggest a replacement for Patti yet? I actually see Donna Murphy more in the role but apparently she doesn't have the voice anymore? Sad. "

I highly doubt your concern about her voice. I cannot imagine that being the case considering how strong it is and how she hasn't used it in such a long time.

Victoria Clark would be ideal as well.

I personally don't see this show continuing after the leading ladies leave though. Victoria has that show up in Canada as well as the one she's directing (!!!) Donna has stated quite frequently that she isn't interested in leading a broadway show which is why she jumped at the Tuesday replacement for Bette.

She also struggled with some notes of Cora in Anyone can Whistle. I don't think she could manage either WP lead. She will certainly sound sensational as Dolly.

omg Victoria Clark and Donna Murphy together in a musical again would be sublime. great replacement ideas for both parts

I love her and am flattered that anyone would consider her but I think Bernadette would be so awful in the Rubinstein role. Thinking about her attempting the accent and singing those songs - it just wouldn't play to her strengths. She would be a better Arden I think. She won't sing it or act it as well as Ebersole but she'd have her moments. I would love to see Patti/Bernadette on that stage together (I know I've been saying this since Donna Murphy was involved haha).