WONDERLAND: The Lovers Only Thread! — Page 2

Updated On: 3/29/11 at 12:24 PM

How does the concept album compare to the music in the show now?

It...doesn't? ha.

I volunteer philly03, who is the expert at breaking this down, to answer this question :) but off the top of my head: 5 songs on the concept cd do not exist in the show at all anymore, one exists in pretty much name only (Snelson's The Mad Hatter vs Shindle's The Mad Hatter; two different songs), and the songs that are still in the show pretty much all have different lyrics, music, one is sung by a different character entirely than who now sings it, etc.

I like it for the cut songs/'old' versions of songs, (Love Begins, sigh), and if that interests you then yes get it, but I wouldn't really say listen to it to familiarize yourself with the show before seeing it or anything.

Ha thank you Anakela.. you've been along for the journey as well.

Regarding the Concept Album:
The album certainly stands independently from the show itself, which is a great testament to the music. The album's orchestrations are by Jeremy Roberts, who also co-produced the album with Frank Wildhorn. Unfortunately Jeremy didn't do the orchestrations for the show, so the overall sound is immediately different!

The music that was cut from the show are some of the best songs: "Don't Wanna Fall in Love" is a great fun pop number, which while it did nothing for the show has always been a fan favourite. "Love Begins" is missed terribly (and may be on the OBCR as a bonus) which I would credit as my Top 5 Jack Murphy Lyrics.

Other songs cut include "Misunderstood," which seems to be another fan favourite featuring the cut role of the Jabberwock (Tad Wilson).

"Worst Day of My Life" is seen in it's original and far superior version. The version of the song on Broadway takes the upbeat, rock anthem to a slow-tempo, boring duet. I would buy the album for this alone (& the other two songs).

It's worth the money, I've told several people to buy that album rather than wait for the OBCR, unless you're a Shindle fan. You can tell the excitement of the cast when they began recording (which was before rehearsals in Tampa). Also included is the never-been-in-the-show "Keep Dancin'" for Jose Llana, and as a bonus, the original demo of "Go With The Flow" (which sounds incredibly better on stage).

I haven't seen the show, but I tried to watch the Ustream backstage event BWW put together. I had to turn it off after 5 minutes. It was horrible.

I am sorry, but I think it would be nice to see at least one or two of the LEAD actors at the beginning telling about the show and get people INTERESTED. The swings or whatever annoyed the hell outta me.

I think if BWW was going to do an event like that, they should have a lead or producer involved from the start. These people, from what I saw, acted like they were giddy teenagers and it turned me OFF.

When Janet shows up she puts a bag in front of the camera. She also hid at the beginning of the other Ustream chat which I attended.

Does she not know it would be a good idea to talk to the fans and help promote the show? Both times she annoyed me. Not a good idea for a leading lady to get shy.

Re: Song from the Concept Recording that are no longer in the show:

Don't forget the Mad Hatter's second act number, "Nick of Time". Add that to "Love Begins", "Don't Wanna Fall In Love", "Misunderstood", and the never-been-in-a-staged-version-of-the-show "Keep On Dancin'" and "I Give You the Queen of Hearts".

And, of course, every other number has changed lyrics - with the exception of "One Knight", which has barely changed at all (except for the orchestration).

If you listen to the pre-concept recording demos (there are quite a few, including some other interesting cut songs - and cut actors!), you'll hear an entirely different show from the Concept Recording and everything thereafter.

This just goes to show that musicals aren't written, they're re-written. I can't wait to see the frozen version of the show in a few weeks.

Just a lil bump to offset some on the negativity posted in the other thread... :))

Never did I think I would see the day with (2) very positive "Wonderland" threads on "ATC", vs (2) negtive threads on BWW !!!

Agree, Gator--- This show just seems to have that "pile on the hatred" thing going for it, yet the times that I have seen it, the overall audience reaction has been very positive.

Like they say, "to each, their own", and many of us seem to love it.

"One Knight" is definitely a crowd-pleaser !!

Does anyone know if Wonderland will be released on Itunes the same day as the cd realease.

Just found a $35 ticket discount code (that worked for opening nite !!!)

Got a mezz seat on aisle.

CODE: WLFBON

Honestly, yes! I love them. They're very amusing and I wasn't expecting raves. I'm perfectly capable of loving a show in spite of its flaws and I don't mind admitting that this show has many. But that doesn't make me enjoy it any less and I'm not going to suddenly turn around and hate it just because the critics didn't enjoy it.

Frank reminds me of Pavlov's dog if you know what I mean

His shows succeed all over the world but the NY critics hate him. I guess they are all wrong but we NY critics know better. It will never change & he will never ever get a good review no matter what he does.

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